Bohemia Gets Its Own 'Patriotic And Eye-Catching' Community Mural

BOHEMIA, NY—Oakdale, West Sayville, Blue Point, and Bohemia: These local hamlets all feature a community mural painted by a local artist, meant to capture a community's spirit. Tess Parker has lived in East Islip and Oakdale, and so when local real estate agent Rob Ferrara purchased the retail building at 1087 Smithtown Ave., and reached to Parker about creating a mural similar to one in Oakdale, Parker drew on her familiarity with the area for the design.

Parker is a professional muralist who recently completed a mural depicting late Blue Point native Gabby Petito. Last year, she painted a beach scene to brighten up the West Sayville post office.

Ferrara knew of Parker's work and thought the Bohemia shopping center would be the "perfect location" for Bohemia's own mural, Parker told Patch.

"Having grown up a stone's throw away, I'm very familiar with the town, the wildlife, the businesses and the interests of the people. Rob and I both wanted something patriotic and eye-catching."

The mural showcases local attractions and scenes, like Connetquot State Park, within letters spelling Bohemia. A map of Long Island shows Bohemia's central location.