AMSTERDAM AVENUE MURAL UNVEILED: 'A CONSTANT REMINDER FOR THE COMMUNITY YOUTH'

By Emily Baer

Last Thursday, October 30, 2014, in the parking lot of Dehostos Community center, a ribbon cutting ceremony took place to unveil a mural that was painted in collaboration with Strycker’s Bay Neighborhood Council, The DOME Project and alongside Mixed Media Artists Ben Moon, David Pullman, Valentina Scambia, Todd Merchant, and Richard Cabral, outside the Community Center on Amsterdam between 93rd and 94th Streets.

Cityarts, Dome and Strycker’s Bay Council held workshops over the summer for youth at the WSNC and DOME “exploring themes of community identity and participants’ aspirations and dreams. These ideas, expressed through drawings, were incorporated into a large-scale mural.” Those who participated in the project and worked alongside the artists said it was a special and fun to paint the mural with the artists.

Among supporters who attended the ceremony was Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer. Gale was one of the first supporters of this project nearly two years ago and was one of the first to give money in support. She worked with NYCHA, telling them the empty space could be better utilized. She felt that the mural would have a positive impact on those in the community. The organization involved worked with the residents and held family days where the community was able to get together and socialize. She said the mural brings it all together—the community in a positive way.

Tspi Ben-Haim (executive and Creative Director of CITYarts) said: “This mural will be a constant reminder for the community youth who contributed to it to develop as productive and creative members of their community.”