Happy New Year of the Dragon. Believed to soar through the waters and heavens as a nature deity ruling over the rains, the dragon is a dominant figure in Chinese mythology, perched at the center of longstanding creation tales. Ancient legends depict the mythical being, called long in Chinese, descending to the ground with the fog and rising out of the ocean with the sun, moving the seasons in its wake. Initially a vague motif in ancient Chinese art, the dragon is now an emblem of benevolent divinity, imperial power and sweeping unity. Its symbolism builds on thousands of years of folklore and Chinese history. And, as the only mythological animal in the Chinese zodiac system, the dragon takes on yet another layer of meaning.
I wish everyone had a great time this holiday season, whatever you celebrate. We stayed home and enjoyed quality family time, good food and our amazing New York City.
Hoping for a great New Year that just starts. Join us for the first BxArts Factory Holiday Market. We are hosting over 30 local artists, artisans, bakers and entertainers so you can get all your Holiday gifts and we can lift your spirit! I will have many things for sale, custom mini canvas, mugs, Eggie's books, tree ornaments, paintings... you can't miss it!
Friday December 8, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Spend the evening with us, grab a drink, take your picture with DragSanta and get all your Holiday gifts! Saturday December 9, 2023 from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Take a picture with Santa, do all your Holiday shopping and wrap all your presents in our wrapping station! I had the opportunity to create another mural for Uptown Grand Central, in Harlem. If you want to check out my "Pachamama" you can head to 125th Street, between Lexinton and 3rd Avenue.
Be a Rainbow
I finished a mural for Phipps Neighborhoods at West Farms. I created the outlines and got help to fill out the background by a group of volunteers. I love making our neighborhood brighter!!! It has been a busy and intense time creating murals all over NYC. Here are some pictures of my largest mural yet. 20,000 sq ft of canvas that took a lot of work, from everyone involved to kind of finish. It is a work in progress... Co-Created by:
Harborview Terrace Residents under Teaching Artist Laura Alvarez This Nudge Art installation involves a complete transformation of Harborview Terrace’s outdoor space.Working in partnership with The Public Housing Community Fund and the Harborview Terrace Tenant’s Association, we centered this Nudge Art program around community and belonging. . After four weeks of Nudge Art workshops and sessions with a small group of resident leaders, this transformative work of Nudge Art began to take shape. Three larger community-based design forums solidified the design and the messages residents wanted the space to reflect. Harborview is a community made up of differing backgrounds and the various murals and projects reflect this diversity and how the residents wanted the space to bring everyone together as one unit and ultimately showcase pride in their home. The 20,000 foot installation comprises various areas, recreational spaces, and murals. A refurbished basketball court grounds the far side of the park in community-selected bright shades of pink and teal in a dynamic composition. At the center is a medallion painted by local Hell’s Kitchen artist KoolCat. Adjacent to the basketball court is NYCHA’s first pickleball court, a sport enjoyed by Harborview’s older adult population. Revitalized ping-pong tables and newly installed chess tables add more functionality to the space. New seating areas interwoven with planters filled with native foliage turn the area into a much-requested garden. A ramp has also been added to increase accessibility, allowing the space to welcome everyone. The murals around the space, both on the asphalt and perimeter walls, truly showcase Harborview’s beliefs. The cornerstone message of every Nudge Art mural - “You Belong” - really resonated with the community, particularly in its cultural diversity. The phrase “You Belong” is featured throughout the space, repeated along the walls in languages spoken throughout Harborview. Another large wall consists of the name “Harborview Terrace,” showcasing the pride the residents take in their community. A set of stairs, formerly used by Alvin Ailey dancers for practice performances, is painted as a rainbow. Besides the steps, as an homage to the area’s theatrical past, the largest mural consists of silhouettes of residents engulfed in music notes, creating a kinetic and energetic environment. Harborview Terrace’s transformation is made by and for the community. The installation is about home, belonging, and sharing these emotions with others. The space is activated by bright colors inviting visitors into Harborview’s home, reminding them that they, too, belong. Text extracted from the genEquality website. LINK It is very exciting to start new projects, and even more when it is a big one like this! I've been working on with GenEquality, a non-profit on a mission to creatively activate gender-equal and inclusive beliefs and behaviors. We worked with a group of NYCHA residents to create a design for an underutilized space where everyone will feel welcome.
This week we started the installation of this beauty, a mural in the NYCHA Housing Complex Harborview Terrace in Manhattan. It has a basketball court, pickle ball court, stage/sitting area and lots of murals! You can find all the info in the GenEquality website. Also if you are interested in painting with me, please register and come help! Amazing day sharing the street with over 20 artists painting live and offering free art workshops for the community. Really looking forward next year! If anyone is interested in the painting it will be auctioned for BxArts Factory's 10th Anniversary next year!
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I am a...Graphic Designer, Illustrator, Educator, Community Activist... ARTIST! All Images COPYRIGHT © 2008-2021, are property of Laura Alvarez Fernandez. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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