Reflections on Montefiore Square
A new Creative Art Works mural reflects the Hamilton Heights community; The Youth Apprentices who created the mural reflect on one of the most challenging, and gratifying, experiences of their lives.
“Monte de Flores” is a 250-foot-long mural on the eastern edge of Montefiore Square in Hamilton Heights. Photo by Mike Fernandez/Audubon.
CAW Youth Apprentice Kit Souvorova adds detail to the “Technicolor baby.”
“Monte de Flores,” Creative Art Works' new mural at Montefiore Square, is a love letter to Hamilton Heights. The goal of the mural design was to visually represent the unique qualities of the local community through literal and symbolic images. To ensure that the themes of the mural truly reflect the neighborhood, CAW Youth Apprentices (YAs) surveyed community leaders and residents. After an extensive period of brainstorming, sketching and color studies, every YA on the team contributed ideas that were incorporated in the final art. Figurative elements include a child smelling a flower, domino players, jazz musicians, a subway car, native birds, and a young woman absorbed in a good summer book.
Elizabeth Masella, Senior Public Art Coordinator at NYC Parks, has been involved in the development of the mural since Youth Apprentices began surveying the community in July. At the official unveiling of the mural she said, “It's been especially gratifying to see this mural come to life. It was no easy feat to bring together the input of the many diverse people who use the park and incorporate that into a cohesive design. I have heard that people in the community started responding positively almost immediately. It really enlivens the park and makes it a more inviting space for people of all ages and backgrounds. I think everyone who visits this mural will see a little part of themselves in it.”
“It was no easy feat to bring together the input of the many diverse people who use the park and incorporate that into a cohesive design. I think everyone who visits this mural will see a little part of themselves in it.”
CAW Youth Apprentice Izzy Brinks worked on the details of the bird in flight. Photo by Mike Fernandez/Audubon.
The August 10th unveiling attracted over 100 residents and community stakeholders, including Curtis Archer, President, Harlem Community Development Corporation; Eric Macfarlane, First Deputy Commissioner, NYC Department of Design and Construction; Hilduara Abreu, Principal, P.S. 192; Shakira Lleras, Founding Member and Assistant Principal, Hamilton Grange Middle School; Emmitt Sklar, Director of Communications & Public Engagement, Office of District 7 Council Member Shaun Abreu; and Athena Moore, Director, Northern Manhattan Office of Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine.
This mural is the final piece of an extensive redevelopment project of Montefiore Square, begun over 13 years ago by NYC Parks. The Parks Department believes the mural will further activate the space and make it a more inviting place. At 250 feet long, the mural may be the largest ever commissioned by the NYC Parks.
“I want to ask everybody to give a huge round of applause to all of our artists. This mural represents the legacy of your love, your passion, and your commitment to this community. I hope that the community will enjoy it and, as one of the Youth Apprentices said, it will inspire many of our children to become artists and to leave their own legacy right here in our community.”
The Montefiore Square Youth Apprentices bonded as a team over the summer, creating a tight community of their own. Photo by Mike Fernandez/Audubon.
While the mural reflects the character of the surrounding neighborhood, it is also a reflection of the vitality and optimism of the young people who created the art. This year, we recruited YAs from all five boroughs who represent the cultural, ethnic, religious, gender, and socio-economic diversity of our city. While a number of YAs returned to CAW for a second or even third Public Art Youth Employment program, for most of them, this was their first summer job. Several of the YAs on this project have a strong foundation in the arts, but most had little art-making experience prior to this summer. Regardless, conceiving and executing a massive mural in just six weeks was an ambitious assignment.
During the official unveiling ceremony on August 10th, each of our YAs took a moment to reflect on their own summer work experience. A common theme we heard repeated several times was that the job was emotionally and physically challenging, but also one of the best experiences of their young lives. We’ve collected some of their reflections below.
David Tovar
The process of working on this mural has been so great. I gained new skills. I'm not as shy as I was before. It was an amazing experience getting to know the people of this community and learning the history of this place. That is going stay with me forever.
Anthony Batista
My time in this program was really taxing, both mentally and physically but, despite that, I've been able to meet and work with the most amazing people. I'm glad that we, as well as the community, can finally have something to be very proud of.
Nathan Tejada
Since this was my first year, I thought I wasn’t going to get to do much or that I was going to sit on the sides not knowing what to do; but then I got all this energy from everyone, I made new friends, and I’ve been the happiest I’ve been in a while.
Johnathan Hyman
My experience this summer was iconic, because this is the biggest art piece I’ve ever worked on and, as an artist, I’m grateful to have a project like this under my belt. I’m also grateful to have worked with so many wonderful and memorable people who are iconic as well. I learned a lot from them and I appreciate that.
Kalin Williams
I wasn't expecting to have so much fun this summer, because it's supposed to be work, but I really enjoyed myself. I had fun painting, and I even managed to make new friends and gain more confidence.
Izzy Brinks
It was cool to make art with other people, because, for the last couple of years, it’s just been me. So, it was cool to meet other artists and put some art on the wall. Hopefully, this mural will make this park a better place.
Read bios by all the Youth Apprentices in the commemorative brochure on ISSUU.
A Little Bird Told Us to Mention the Audubon Mural Project
As part of the Audubon Mural Project, which commissions artists to paint murals throughout Washington Heights and Hamilton Heights of the hundreds of bird species threatened by climate change, “Monte de Flores” features this yellow warbler, as well as a white crowned pigeon, a peregrine falcon, and local plants and insects. Read more about the Audubon Mural Project HERE.
PRESS
Untapped NY named “Monte de Flores” as one of “The Best 5 Public Art Installation to in NYC to See in September.”
The Long View…
Our Thanks…
CAW’s Public Art Youth Employment programs are made possible by public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council, Council Member Shaun Abreu, and by these generous supporters:
