Past Public Art

Lumina Arcana (2024)

Lumina Arcana is a public art installation designed to illuminate and revitalize Vernon Boulevard. This innovative project, spearheaded by renowned LIC-based neon light artist Kenny Greenberg of Krypton Neon, aims to bring light to underutilized public spaces and attract visitors to support local businesses along one of Long Island City’s major thoroughfares. Lumina Arcana features two pergolas constructed from wooden materials and metal railings, adorned with vibrant neon lighting. These installations are strategically placed at Vernon Mall and Gordon Triangle, transforming these under-lit areas into lively, inviting spaces.

Summer of Sports (2024)

Summer of Sports is an interactive installation featuring six sports-themed art pieces produced by Nicolas Synnott of LeMonde Studio in collaboration with students from Information Technology High School.  The install includes: 1 diving board bench, three sports ball benches – soccer, basketball and tennis, 1 tennis racket bench and a photo frame/music box. The artworks that wrap around the music box and the diving board were created by Information Technology High School Art Club students Fariha Alam, Amy Martinez Chungata, Stella Golden, Brian Herrera, Gabriella Maniscalco, Santiago Navarro, Cesar Romero, Jair Sanchez, and Katherine Valverde.

Morning Glory

Cecilia Lueza is an Argentinian-American artist whose colorful mural invites the surrounding Long Island City community to a respite of organic creativity, within LIC’s predominantly glass and steel architectural landscape. This hand painted artwork titled “Morning Glory” explores the visual effects of color while incorporating elements of nature and geometry. This mural is produced by Rockrose and the Long Island City Partnership. It is part of City Canvas, an initiative of the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs.

Dog Island Summer

Dog Island Summer, located in Rafferty Triangle, was designed and fabricated by LeMonde Studios. The installation features various interactive items including a large fire hydrant, a dog biscuit- shaped park bench, a large collar featuring popular local dog names, and two music boxes covered in original designs by local artists playing original songs from Queens musicians. The dog theme is a celebration of the large dog population and proliferation of dog related businesses in Long Island City. LICP worked with NYC Parks for the siting of the project.

Unity & Diversity: No Cap

LICP commissioned a large-scale mural to cover the overpass of the Thomson Avenue Bridge, which connects the neighborhood over the 180-acre Sunnyside Yard. Designed by LIC-based visual artist No Cap, “Unity and Diversity” celebrates the people of Queens, the most ethnically diverse urban area in the world, through a colorful and dynamic intertwining pattern. The phrase “We Are the World” is spelled out within the design in a variety of the borough’s most commonly spoken languages.

The project was presented in partnership with the New York City Department of Transportation’s Art Program and initiated by Kristin Jefferson, a fine arts professor at LaGuardia Community College. Professor Jefferson, along with her students, played an instrumental role in determining the project’s general theme and selecting the artist to adapt their vision. “Unity and Diversity” is supported by LIC-based decorative authority Janovic, which provided paint and other materials.

Floral Festivity: Queen Andrea

Created by heralded graffiti artist and graphic designer Queen Andrea, “Floral Festivity” beautifies a large construction fence located at 27-01 Jackson Avenue. The mural features fiery floral designs and bright flowing shapes, converting an eyesore into an energizing backdrop. Said Queen Andrea about the project, “I love neighborhoods like LIC that are true cross-sections of the vibrant diversity and endless possibilities that make New York City the best city in the world.” The project was organized in partnership with site owner Lions Group.

The Ribbon: Hive Public Space & The Urban Conga

The Ribbon is a playful gesture moving through the two public spaces serving as a platform for breaking down social barriers and connecting people. The piece allows people to connect, share, and learn each other’s versions of Long Island City. Evoking memorable experiences that are always changing and responding to the people, the surrounding landscape, and the interactions between them. Each piece becomes a timeless opportunity for the community to stop and engage with the work, the space, and each other in new ways. Each unit has a kinetic component that can be rotated to reveal different “LIC Love Notes” submitted by residents and visitors to LIC.

The Ribbon was designed by Hive Public Space and The Urban Conga and was fabricated by Boyce Technologies. LICP partnered with Savanna and NYC Parks for siting the Ribbon.

I AM HERE…

This mural was conceived and installed by artist Harumi Ori in collaboration with Information Technology High School art club students at Silvercup Studios. The fluorescent orange and yellow mesh were woven together to create sculptures and replicas which highlighted everyday scenes captured in the Long Island City community. 

Long Island City 2050

Creative Art Works (artist); Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement and Queensbridge Tenant Association (community partners); NYC Department of Parks & Recreation (site representative)

This mural in Baby Park was painted with local youth volunteers from adjacent Queensbridge Houses. Creative Art Works’ final design was based off a community survey conducted in partnership with Jacob Riis Settlement House. Nearly 200 youths and seniors from Queensbridge Houses responded to the survey that resulted in this mural, which represents a possible future for LIC.

Special thanks to Artist & Craftsman Supply, Playday, and sLICe for their support in executing this project.

Las Estrellas Brillarán (2019)

Lina Montoya AKA Ele Eme (artist); P4Q@Skillman and Boyce Technologies, Inc (community partners); NYC School Construction Authority (site representative)

This mural was designed, fabricated and installed with students from P4Q@Skillman School. It consists of thousands of blue metal tiles, which were manufactured by Boyce Technologies, and vinyl yellow stars that come together to form local LIC landmarks. The work represents how each individual contributes to a larger community.

Each One Reach One

Vincent Ballentine (artist), LIC YMCA and Janovic (community partners); Long Island Rail Road (site representative)

Artist Vincent Ballentine worked with local teens from the LIC YMCA, to design and paint this mural on plywood panels. Nestled between the bustling train tracks, buildings and bridges of LIC, the final work symbolizes the teens’ worries and aspirations for the future, while enhancing the path of pedestrians along Skillman Avenue.

Bright New Day

Andrea von Bujdoss AKA Queen Andrea (artist); New York City Health Department and Janovic (community partners); Werwaiss & Co., Inc. (site representative)

Andrea von Bujdoss AKA Queen Andrea worked with Long Island City Partnership and the Health Department staff to introduce a moment of relaxation and nature into the sometimes chaotic streets of LIC. The mural highlights some of the Health Department staff’s favorite local landmarks as well as directs viewers to nearby trains. Health Department staff helped to paint the lower portions of this mural.

Special thanks to Rockrose and MTP Parking for their support in executing this project.

Onwards

Sejin Park (artist); The Noguchi Museum’s Teen Advisory Board (community partner); NYC Parks (site representative)

Through a series of interviews, Noguchi Museum’s Teen Advisory Board, led by Sejin Park, collected stories from Long Island City community members on how they advocate for an equitable future by supporting each other as strangers, neighbors, and friends. Selected quotes line the fence of Rainey Park as vertical banners.

Special thanks to Packard Café & Grill and The Sandwich King their support in executing this project.