Artist Ryan Cronin Partners with Ulster County Department of Health for Countywide Awareness Campaign
The Ulster County Department of Health and New Paltz-based contemporary artist Ryan Cronin will unveil a new public art piece — ‘We Are Public Health’ — on Friday, July 25 at 6 PM, at The Cronin Gallery at Water Street Market in New Paltz. The collaboration is part of a broader initiative to raise awareness of public health services and engage residents in a shared understanding of community wellbeing.
Developed in partnership with Ulster County Public Health Director Eve Walter, the campaign builds on the department’s commitment to accessible, equitable health services by elevating visibility across the County. Inspired by Cronin’s impactful ‘Expect a Biker’ campaign — which promoted safe driving through widespread signage — Walter envisioned a similarly striking and grassroots effort to introduce residents to the scope and importance of public health.
“We selected the phrase, ‘We Are Public Health,’ for its dual meaning,” said Walter. “It invites residents to learn more about our services — from restaurant safety to beach and pool oversight to vaccinations — and also emphasizes that public health is a collective effort. We all play a role. Ryan’s artwork takes this concept and gives it life. It’s visual, emotional, and remarkably powerful.”
The painting will form the basis of 100+ lawn signs to be placed adjacent to public health-regulated sites throughout Ulster County. Each sign includes a QR code linking to the Department of Health’s website, creating a pathway for residents to explore the services available to them.
“What strikes me most about this collaboration is that in a world where public health campaigns typically come out of marketing firms or government offices, Ulster County Department of Health chose to invite a working artist to collaborate,” said Cronin. “That shows they value art and understand its unique ability to communicate and connect with people. I’m grateful for the opportunity and had a lot of fun creating this piece.”
“Art is a powerful medium of communication, and this collaborative project of Ulster County Public Health Director Eve Walter and artist Ryan Cronin is a creative and effective way to deliver a very important message --- that public health is both a vital public service of government and a shared responsibility of our community to protect," said Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger. “I'm very appreciative of the educational and awareness-raising focus that Dr. Walter has brought to the County Health Department. The protection of public health is by its nature participatory, requiring all of us to play a part to ensure the well-being of everyone."
Ryan Cronin is a contemporary American artist known for vibrant public installations that incorporate incisive social commentary. His work is held in the permanent collection of the Obama Presidential Center, in private and corporate collections worldwide, and has been exhibited alongside Basquiat, Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, and Alexander Calder. He maintains The Cronin Gallery in New Paltz and continues to collaborate with galleries and social change organizations worldwide.
The unveiling event is free and open to the public. For more information about Ulster County Department of Health and the ‘We Are Public Health’ campaign, visit ulstercountyny.gov/health.
