Peach Tao

On my recent visit to Welling Court and its immediate environs, I was greeted by dozens of new murals that continue to bring beauty and intrigue to this distinctly diverse Astoria, Queens neighborhood. The image featured above — “a nod to all the delivery guys through rainy and sunny days” — was painted by Brooklyn-based, Beijing-born muralist, illustrator and educator Peach Tao aka peacheeblue. Several more images captured this past Sunday follow:

New York-based muralist and illustrator Annabelle Popa

Colombia-born artist Luch in his distinct style that that “symbolizes the duality between the beauty and fragility of everything around us.”

West New York, NJ-based Black Box Art Studio artists Eduardo Jimenez aka Yoskills and Misael Morales aka Loky Oner, close-up from huge collaborative mural 

Local self-taught Filipino artist Jason B at work on his Astoria, Queens logo

Astoria, Queens-based cartoonist and painter Matt Furman

Bronx native illustrator and painter Demetrius Felder

The veteran NYC graffiti writer Wore One

Currently curated by a diverse collective of local residents, Welling Walls — as the community-based arts project is now termed — will continue the tradition of hosting annual block parties, as well as beautifying its environs.

Note: Keep posted to the Street Art NYC Instagram and Threads for more images of recently-surfaced walls in Welling Court.

Photos by Lois Stavsky

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This past May, a wonderfully diverse group of artists brought their skills to South Street Seaport, marking the third year that the You Are Not Alone community-based art project curated a huge 160 ft long wall in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. These murals’ message of hope is particularly timely this month, September — National Suicide Prevention Month. Featured above is the work of the Washington Heights-based graphic designer and illustrator Yuma York. Several more images from this year’s You Are Not Alone Murals Project 2024 at the Seaport follow:

Detroit-based designer and hand lettering artist Lauren Hom

Local street artist and animator Sara Lynne Leo

 NYC-based multi-disciplinary artist, designer and typographer Juan Carlos Pagan

Sydney, Australia-born, NYC-based multidisciplinary artist Vexta

New Jersey-based hand-lettering artist and muralist Olga Muzician 

 Brooklyn-based muralist, teaching artist and illustrator Peach Tao

British multi-disciplinary artist David Puck

Launched in 2019,You Are Not Alone Murals was founded by multimedia artist and art director Annica Lydenberg aka Dirty Bandits and Samantha Schutz, mental health advocate and the author of the highly acclaimed memoir I Don’t Want to Be Crazy.

And do remember, “You are not alone!” If you or someone you care about is in need of support or information, help is available from the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The NAMI HelpLine can be reached Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., ET. 1-800-950-NAMI (6264).

Note: Find out here about You Are Not Alone Murals’ first annual t-shirt collaboration and fundraiser!

Photos of artworks, Lois Stavsky

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The rotating walls that surface in the East Village and in Chinatown — under the curatorial direction of street art aficionado and photographer Ben L. — feature some of NYC’s most delightfully expressive murals. Largely painted by local artists, the walls occasionally showcase the talents of those visiting from abroad, as well. The image featured above is the work of Beijing-born, Brooklyn-based artist and Thrive Collective member, Peach Tao. Several more murals currently on view at East 2nd Street off First Avenue follow:

Lima, Peru-based Monks

Argentine-American artist Ramiro Davaro-Comas in collaboration with Outer Source on the First Ave. Laundry Center shutter 

Moscow-born, NYC-based Urban Russian Doll

New York-based photorealistic muralist BKFoxx

NYC-based Early Riser

Photo credits: 1-3, 5 & 6 Lois Stavsky; 4 Sara C Mozeson

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