public art

During these past few months, the murals along East 125 Street and its surrounding blocks continued to beautify East Harlem with intrigue and charm. The homage to the late Harlem-born artist Faith Ringgold — featured above — was painted by NYC-based, New Jersey-bred artist Anna Lustberg.

What follows is a selection of images captured in our continued 2025 documentation of Uptown Grand Central:

Anna Lustberg poses in front of her mural while in progress

Bronx-based Lola Lovenotes

Yonkers-based Evan Bishop

Colombian artist Alexis Duque

Bronx-based KingBee

   Newark-based Diego Molina

Photos: Lois Stavsky

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Founded and directed by legendary Bronx graffiti artist WEN COD, Boone Avenue Walls continues to transform the historic South Bronx Mott Haven neighborhood into an open air gallery — showcasing masterful murals and mesmerizing graffiti. The mural pictured above was painted by Oklahoma City-based artist Pyramid Guy. What follows is a small sampling of artworks we captured while visiting Mott Haven:

Local style master Soze

Classic Bronx graffiti writer Ovie

Veteran writer and skateboarder Cycle

Connecticut’s masterful 3Modes, TVT 

Algeria-born, NYC-based Pazzesco with his portrait of Biggie

The wildly distinctive stylist KA, detail from TVT ZOO Goosebumps production

Colombia-born, New Jersey-based Jose Bustamante aka Busta

Bolivia-born, Florida-based Ales Delpincel‘s portrait of Nas

Photos: 1-6, 8 & 9 Lois Stavsky; 7 Tara Murray

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Now in its 11th year, Boone Avenue Walls — founded and directed by legendary Bronx graffiti artist WEN COD — continues to beautify the Bronx, as artists from far and near bring their talents to several sites beyond its home base in West Farms. This past weekend. over 30 artists transformed  Whitlock Avenue’s walls — directly under the 6 train —  into blazing outdoor canvases and stirring open-air productions.

The image featured above — one segment of a huge “Oceans Deep” production — is the work of the veteran South Bronx aerosol king Nic1. What follows is a small sampling of artworks captured while visiting Whitlock Avenue on Sunday afternoon.

Bronx-based artist Sebar7 at work

Comeske TM7 at work in his distinct free-flowing style

Queens native Greed who was active largely in the 90’s 

Alongside Queens-based artist Chris Cortes

TA graffiti crew member Krizer and the lovable Ratchi

The delightful Bronx-based muralist and textile artist Mrs captured at work

Brooklyn-based writer East

Close-up from astounding alien-themed production by Johnny Samp, Disem, Kelo, DaCaptainSkorner, Bulldogpirate1, Dreps and  J.P. Cvjl 

Up Next: Boone Avenue Walls in Mott Haven

Photos by Lois Stavsky

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As the summer months progress, the walls along East 125 Street and its surrounding blocks continue to evolve. The exuberant mural featured above was painted by the legendary Japanese NYC-based artist Shiro One. Several more images of murals — several by artists who are new to us and all hosted by Uptown Grand Central — that have recently emerged  follow:

Madrid, Spain-born multidisciplinary artist Noah Xifr 

  Self-taught North Carolina-native, Harlem-based multidisciplinary artist DaQuane Cherry

Harlem-born and bred muralist and painter Marthalicia Matarrita

Brazilian-American multidisciplinary artist Jon Souza AKA Phes

Multimedia artist and educator Dee at work on her second public mural 

Multidisciplinary artist Jordana Alexis Abrenica adds finishing touches to her “love truck” mural 

Photos by Lois Stavsky; artists researched by Tara Murray

 

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Flowing with rhythm and cadence, the current installation of murals at Underhill Walls is a delightful salute to music and musicians. The frenzied “Muppet Show” featured above was painted by veteran artist Phetus 88. Several more images from the most recent iteration at Underhill Walls follow:

Multimedia artist Zimer does Bob Dylan

Bronx native Andre Trenier does Diana Ross

Queens native Jeff Rose King does Puerto Rican rapper and singer Tego Calderón

Dominican Republic native Kelvin Morel aka Kam does Elvis Presley

Multidisciplinary artist Marissa Molina paints “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill”

Bronx-based Aída Miró does Mary Blige

Founded and curated by Jeff BelerUnderhill Walls is a non-profit public art installation located at the corner of St. Johns Place and Underhill Avenue in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn,

Photos: Lois Stavsky

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On my recent visit to DC, I made my way over to the Capital Hill Boys Club — the site of a mural festival that took place this past spring in Anacostia, a historic neighborhood in Southeast Washington, D.C. A model of community engagement, the 2025 festival features dozens of murals fashioned by artists who share a notable kinship to the neighborhood and its residents.

The arresting image featured above was painted by the self-taught artist and arts educator Rae Akino. Several more images of murals I captured in the blazing, blinding sun follow:

Designer and painter Cortney Mohring

Self-taught multidisciplinary artist Mahkai Dominique‘s first public mural with a message to its viewers that they are “watched over with love”

Multidisciplinary visual artist and educator Shani Shih, a portrait of Tia Bell,  founder of the Trigger Project, a DC-based violence prevention project

Self-taught artist KyCo, an homage to Sierra Leonean–American ballet dancer and author Michaela DePrince, who died last year at the age of 29

The wildly creative multidiscinplnary artist Limetyme aka Rich

Painter and custom designer David Dez Zambrano

Dozens more murals can be viewed at 1603 Marion Barry Ave and its immediate environs in Anacostia, DC.

Photos by Lois Stavsky 

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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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The 14th Annual Bushwick Collective Block Party brought a wonderfully diverse array of local, national and international artists to Brooklyn’s iconic outdoor gallery. The image featured above — a masterly fusion of realism and graffiti — was painted by Lima, Peru native Roberto Seminario aka Sef1. A tribute to Bushwick Collective founder and curator Joe Ficalora, it portrays Joe as a child, playing with his cousin Frank — with Joe’s mother in the background. Several more images from the Bushwick Collective‘s new walls follow:

Sef1 captured earlier at work

Newark-born artist Andre Leon aka Contrabandre does the legendary Rakim

Brooklyn-based multidisciplinary artist Huetek’s tribute to Static, D-stroy, Termanology and Nems

Gigstar and Minus One paint “Clash Of The Titans” —  dedicated to CAE4

Dutch artist Tymon de Laat, “Break ICE and Make Waves,” featuring Gumskie, a Filipino surfer

Pittsburgh-based Ashley Hodder returns with her distinctly dreamy flair

French artist Enzo‘s sublimely conceived otherworldly mural

Note: Keep posted to the Street Art NYC Instagram and Threads for more images of recently-surfaced walls at the Bushwick Collective.

Photo Credits: 1, 3-8 Lois Stavsky; 2 Tara Murray

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The legendary artist Chris “DAZE” Ellis is currently at work on newly commissioned artworks at 550 Madison Avenue on the corner of 55th Street. The following interview with him was conducted by Street Art NYC contributor Ana Candelaria.

How did this wonderful opportunity come your way? And why this location?

This project came about through my ongoing relationship with the Museum of the City of New York. I was informed that there might be an opportunity to activate this huge space in Midtown Manhattan. And so, I didn’t choose the location; the location chose me.

What was your vision for this project? And how did it evolve?

We began with an offsite meeting, where we saw firsthand what the space would look like. We tossed
around ideas, and I thought that whatever composition I come up with should be bright
and colorful — not dark and somber. It should, somehow, really lighten up the space. I started
thinking about color first and then composition.

Then I started thinking about this building which is really iconic. The chief architect is Philip Johnson, and I thought,”Okay, my work is very New York-based. I work in New York everyday, and I draw inspiration from my daily commute.”

I wanted to come up with something that is easily recognizable as very New York, but — at the same time — something related to the natural world, as the site’s atrium is so beautiful.

Were there any particular challenges that you faced in seeing your vision through?

Not really. Once I came up with an idea for this particular space, there weren’t any challenges.

Your artwork at this site is still in progress. How has the response been so far?

The response so far has been 100 percent positive. And, most importantly, we’ve gotten great respect
from people who are just walking by in the street. Those people come from all walks of life. There are lots of tourists in this area, as well as people who pass by on their way to work. This area has a great mix of people.

Interview conducted by Ana Candelaria

Photo credits: 1 Brad Farwell, 2-4 Ana Candelaria

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Under the curatorial direction of Jonathan NevilleFirst Street Green Art Park continues to be home to a wondrously diverse array of local, national and international artists. The delightfully intriguing image pictured above was painted by the Amsterdam-based artist Ottograph. What follows is a  close-up from Ottograph‘s mural and several more photos of artworks currently on view at First Street Green Art Park.

Detail from Ottograph mural

Queens-based Turtle Caps and UK native Klonism

Colombian artist Yurica Uno and Queens-based Chris Cortes

Brooklyn-based Lexi Bella does Volodymyr Zelensky

Bronx-based El Souls and NYC/VA artist Humble Makes Art

NYC-based Colombian artist Osk

Bay Area-based artist Steel MSK

Photo credits: 1, 3-5, 7 & 8 Lois Stavsky; 2 & 6 Tara Murray

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