It’s bold, bright, energetic and filled with the hope and promise of a community and its most valued asset, its children. The mural is a combined effort of its artist, Benjamin Rowe, and the children of the neighborhood. As an extension of their afterschool activities, children were given two words “charged” and “uplifted” and asked what they saw in those words. It was Jocelyn Goode who guided the children to express those words into thoughts and images in a workshop. The results of that workshop were then translated by Rowe into the complete work.
The mural reflects no only the hopes of a bright future with its bold colors but it also incorporates familiar signs of the community into its scene. That is the Liberty Rock, that is the Triangle Building on Farmers, that is the playground of the nearby school. It is those familiar icons which anchors the mural to the community.
The mural unveiling including time with the children who inspired the mural and they spoke about their favorite parts. Emily liked the scene with the music because “I’m really into music. I like dancing”. And Lauren liked the playground because she “likes to go the gym and run around”. Mostly everyone liked it because it is evidence of what good people can do when they get together for the common cause of community building.
The mural sits on the wall of the African Center for Community Empowerment just off Farmers Blvd at Mangin Avenue. It was made possible by a grant from the Queens Council of the Arts and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the African Center for Community Empowerment.
But don't take my word for it, check out the slideshow. Better yet, visit it and see all the new things happening on Farmers Boulevard.
To read more about happenings in the community, click here. To read about other local artists, click here. To get community alerts delivered to you inbox, subscribe here. To get connect with community on Facebook, join the group Communities of Color, Queens.
Comments
quick reminder everyone the Dinner Theatre in support of the sickle cell children October 16th at Black Spectrum Theatre a compilation of August Wilson's play and Dinner Baisley blvd and 177th street queens only $55.00 casual sharp is the dress code contact molino 347-233-1069.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!