Thinking in the Abstract

This summer, at a corporate office building in Midtown, the Studio Saints–a team of 27 Youth Apprentices with a range of interests and fields of study such as international relations, robotics, and psychology–were given a specific challenge. Creative Art Works’ longtime partner BXP, a corporate realty firm, needed flexible artwork to bring warmth and color to one of their marketing centers. Having entrusted CAW with two prior public art projects, Oasis at 601 Lexington Avenue, and Momentum at Dock 72 in Brooklyn Navy Yard, they thought we might be up to the challenge!

CAW was asked to create a modular mural on multiple panels that could be reconfigured to fit new spaces. Our team was further charged with creating a welcoming atmosphere. But beyond that, they were asked to create something unlike any of the other projects this summer–they were asked to create something abstract.

Zhi Yi Lu

“At first I didn't like the concept of abstract, I'll be completely honest. I thought 'abstract' was just something that was easy to do and sells at ridiculous prices for no reason. But I think after this experience I have a more open-minded view on abstract art and how it can represent nature.”

Experimentation:
Many of the Studio Saints had never created art before, much less considered how to represent the outside world through abstract imagery. So they began experimenting. They started with collographs — a print made by gluing various materials, such as sticks, leaves, and flowers, onto a piece of cardboard to create a printing plate. They painted watercolors to practice blending colors. They also experimented with acrylic medium to build texture.

Cindy Gonzalez

“Our watercolor studies were deeply inspired by Noelle Kocot's poem, ‘Divination.’ The poem's dreamy emotional tone encouraged us to approach our artwork intuitively while focusing on color and movement rather than actual strict forms. Each watercolor was a personal interpretation of a specific line in the poem."

Lateral Thinking:
Each YA was able to bring something from their past experiences–whether through school or previous jobs–to build on for the mural. For example, YA Aidan Screwvala tapped into past experience as a camp counselor to help navigate the flurry of brainstorming ideas and encourage collaboration amongst their teammates. During the initial pitch meeting with BXP, Alina Povelikin drew on her high school experience as captain of her speech & debate team to clearly present ideas to the client. Matt Marchese and Emma Dursi tapped into their deep insights on plant life and the natural world from, respectively, a previous job at the Queens Botanical Garden and college studies in environmental science.

Kamila Lazur

“This art can be viewed in so many different ways. You might see something that someone else might not see. It looks so simple at first glance—it's simple colors, simple designs, simple structure. But the process that went behind this is so much more than you would've thought.”

The entire mural making process drew on the skills and experiences of every YA on the Studio Saints team–including video editing skills for the final presentation.

The Unveiling:
The team unveiled the work on August 12, 2025, in the beautiful amenity space at 360 Park Avenue South. In attendance were CAW Executive Director Karen Jolicoeur, Board President Brian Ricklin, Board Chair and BXP SVP Andy Levin, and Board Members Julian D'Ambrosi and John P. Maher, and Youth Apprentices from other CAW Public Art Youth Employment programs. Representatives from BXP included Leasing Coordinator Brianna Doerfler, Marketing Director Heather Betz, and SVP (and 2023 CAW Benefit Honoree) Heather Kahn.

Andy Levin
SVP, BXP

For us, the artwork is a lasting reminder of what you’ve created. But for myself and BXP, what’s most important is the process you went through to create the work, and the relationships that you formed. Please try to take away something important from those relationships and those experiences.

The final mural, entitled, “When the Earth Spoke,” begins with natural imagery and flows into abstract patterns using that imply organic shapes. Each piece of the modular mural works on its own and also as part of the whole, with harmonious colors and rich textures that reward closer inspection. It’s sturdy, portable, and designed to create a calm, welcoming space.