Ewell Plaza Art Explorations

Ewell Plaza can become a place for everybody to experience arts, culture, learning and recreation. There will be several public art projects in the new plaza and we need your input to give direction to the artists.

As the new home of the Lancaster Public Library, Ewell Plaza can become a place where Lancaster’s many different communities are visible and feel welcome. A free place for all people to experience arts, culture, learning and recreation. Taking steps to get there, we are asking a central question to all members of our community: “What is our ideal public space as a community?” By gathering this input we can work towards actualizing these ideas together.

The Lancaster Parking Authority has contracted artists Roberto Behar and Rosario Marquardt to create the façade artwork on their development in Ewell Plaza, which will be affixed to the new Lancaster Public Library building. The City of Lancaster is facilitating the community engagement for this public art project.  

During the spring and summer of 2021, Roberto Behar and Rosario Marquardt have been engaging Lancaster residents and are working to create concept designs for the façade artwork.

The eight-question survey was the first step in the current period of community engagement surrounding Ewell Plaza and the public art within it. There were 189 responses to the eight-question survey that will help influence the concept designs for the public art piece along with the information gathered during the listening sessions and artist visits.

Listening Sessions with Rosario and Roberto were held on May 22 and May 24. Rosario and Roberto introduced themselves, their work, and asked residents to offer input on the façade artwork. Below are recordings and chat records of each session.

Rosario and Roberto then presented three new final design concepts on August 27 for the Ewell Plaza façade artwork that will be affixed to the Lancaster Parking Authority garage and Lancaster Public Library building. Rosario and Roberto have taken community feedback from the listening sessions, survey results, and their time exploring Lancaster and meeting neighbors to develop concept designs. The concept designs have be posted below under the Community Feedback phase for the community to select their preferred concept. To vote, just click the "thumbs up" icon below your favorite design - you can also leave feedback in the comments of each design.

This project will be updated as the community engagement process moves forward. Please note that the dates associated with the phases below are subject to change.

Learn more about Ewell Plaza, the life and legacy of Barney Ewell, and the various public art pieces planned for the space at EwellPlaza.com.



Listening Session Recordings