R. Robot

Following are a few more images from Ad Hoc Art’‘s wonderful Fifth Annual Welling Court Mural Project, along with a brief interview with its director, Garrison Buxton.

Cern

Can you tell us something about the birth of the Welling Court Mural Project? When and how did it all begin?

Jonathan Ellis, a Welling Court resident, came up with the idea for the project over five years ago. He had his wife, Georgiana, were looking to improve their block.  We were introduced through a mutual friend who suggested they contact me.

R-Robot-street-art-welling-court-nyc

What was the first mural to go up? And when was the first festival held?

While visiting from Poland in 2009, M-City painted Welling Court’s first mural.  The first festival was held in June 2009.

KR1

What was the community’s response to it?

The response was wonderful. The entire community participated and loved it. Just about everyone prepared food to share and loved how the artists transformed their neighborhood.

ryan-seslow-and-cake-street-art-welling-court-nyc

And now five years later, it’s even more wonderful than ever.

Yes, when we first began, 44 artists participated. This year there are over twice as many, including members of the community. We’ve continued to keep it grassroots.

Mr. PRVRT

How far in advance do you begin organizing each year’s festival?

We usually start in February, but we want to begin planning earlier.

see-one-street-art-welling-court-nyc

What would you say is your greatest challenge?

The mere organization and the delegation of the different responsibilities.

The vibe here is wonderful. What a great model you are for other communities! 

Yes! It’s about the power of art to create positive social change.

Photos by Dani Reyes Mozeson and Lois Stavsky

1. Cern  

2. R. Nicholas Kuszyk aka R. Robot 

3. Louie “KR.ONE” Gasparro 

4. Ryan Seslow and Jennifer Caviola aka Cake

5. Mr. Prvrt

6. See One

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This is the fourth post of our occasional series featuring some of the curious characters that have found a home in NYC ‘s open spaces:

R. Nicholas Kuszyk aka R. Robot in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

"R Robot"

Jeromy Velasco in the East Village

"Jeromy Velasco"

Malarky and Gold Peg in the East Village

malarky-and-Gold-Peg-street-art-NYCJPG

Harlenquinade in the East Village

Harlequinade

 Sheryo and the Yok in the East Village

Sheryo-and-the-Yok-street-art-NYC

Rimx in Bushwick, Brooklyn, on the grounds of Exit Room

Rimx-street-art-NYC

Photos of Jeromy Velasco and Malarky & Gold Peg by Dani Reyes Mozeson; all others by Lois Stavsky

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Although Bushwick has evolved into Brooklyn’s largest free open-air gallery, Williamsburg remains home to a range of both sanctioned and unsanctioned street art and graffiti in an array of media and styles. Here’s a sampling of what we came upon yesterday:

Tristan Eaton, close-up

More after the jump!

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