Blue moon chapel

by jessie AND Katey (2024)

Site Projects New Haven has commissioned nationally acclaimed muralists Jessie and Katey, a Baltimore-based artist duo known for their large-scale, high-impact outdoor murals composed of bold geometric forms and vibrant color. Their block-long mural is an enormous 278 ft long X 43 ft high. BLUE MOON CHAPEL by Jessie and Katey was unveiled November 17, 2024 and painted on a warehouse of New Haven’s historic industrial district beginning in September 2024.

This commission coincided with Site Projects’ 20th anniversary.

About the Artists: For more than a decade, Jessie and Katey have transformed public spaces across the United States—from Hawaii, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Boston, and Washington, D.C.—as well as in Sweden, Switzerland, and Russia. Their work is built on extensive research into the culture and history of each site. The artists describe their murals as containing “underlying narratives,” with patterns and color choices that subtly reference the local identity of the communities in which they work.

Site Projects’ decision to commission a work of geometric abstraction is rooted in New Haven’s rich artistic legacy. The city’s history includes influential modernists Josef and Anni Albers and Sol LeWitt, whose explorations of geometry, structure, and color continue to shape contemporary art. The idea was also sparked by Yale University’s retrospective of Bridget Riley, whose work reaffirmed the power and relevance of geometric abstraction today.

In developing the New Haven mural, the artists drew from the principles of Josef Albers’ groundbreaking work on color theory—especially his belief that color must be understood through direct experience and interaction. They also connected deeply with Sol LeWitt’s approach to mural-making, noting similarities between their own practice and LeWitt’s reliance on mathematical logic and geometric systems. These foundations guided the flow, rhythm, and structure of their composition.

The design also reflects the architectural geometry of New Haven’s historic buildings and the city’s unique blend of academic energy, industrial heritage, and contemporary innovation. Carefully layered color fields create surprising new palettes where shapes overlap, adding depth and movement. Every element is arranged to guide the viewer’s eye and create a unified visual experience that resonates with the spirit of the city.

With this new collaboration, Site Projects continues its mission to connect New Haven’s public spaces with exceptional contemporary art that reflects the city’s past, present, and future.