KINGSBRIDGE TERRACE STEP-STREET MURAL
BY ARTIST LAURA ALVAREZ TO BE INTRODUCED SEPT. 14
Sept. 8, 2015 – On Monday, Sept. 14 at 1:00, Kingsbridge Heights Community Center (KHCC), Bon Secours Healthy Communities Initiative, and the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) Art Program will unveil a mural by artist Laura Alvarez with the theme “KHCC Grows” as a beautification project for Kingsbridge Heights residents. The theme is meant to parallel KHCC’s role in helping the community to grow for the past 40 years.
The striking mural depicts two large trees, one at night and the other during the day, on either side of the step street stairs. The mural is a collaboration between KHCC and the DOT and was painted by KHCC summer camp and teen participant volunteers with support from KHCC staff.
The artist, Ms. Alvarez (www.lauralvarez.com), was born in Valencia, Spain, and has taught and collaborated with many Bronx organizations, including the New York Botanical Garden, Bronx Council of the Arts, South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (SoBRO), NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, and New York Public Library. She has exhibited across Europe and in New York in collective and solo shows. www.lauralvarez.com
Mural location: Step street between Kingsbridge Terrace and Armand Place, next to M.S. 244, and aligned with W. 231Street below Sedgwick Avenue.
“We’re thrilled we could turn a bland stretch of cement into a more cheerful environment for our neighborhood,” said Sadie Mahoney, Director of Youth Programs at KHCC. “We couldn’t have done it without the support of Bon Secours, the DOT, and of course the hard work of all our teens and staff.”
“Bon Secours Healthy Communities Initiative is proud to partner with KHCC and the youth of our neighborhood to help transform the way our community looks. Young people and not-for-profits can transform our neighborhoods and we look forward to partnering with our youth, KHCC, and the DOT in the future to have a continued positive impact on our community,” said Ian Christner, Healthy Communities Liaison.
About Kingsbridge Heights Community Center (KHCC)
Founded in a former Bronx police station in 1974 by three community activists, KHCC celebrates 40 years of service to the Bronx community. Today, KHCC offers programs in multiple sites for thousands of people annually, including sexual abuse treatment/ prevention, early childhood education, Special Needs, After School, teen/tween programming, college access, English and civics classes, senior programs and more.
3101 Kingsbridge Terrace, Bronx, NY, 10463 718-884-0700| www.khcc-nyc.org
KHCC is a member of United Neighborhood Houses of New York City. Our mission is to build on the strengths of residents in our diverse community, enabling them to effect change and improve quality of life for themselves, their families, and Bronx residents overall.
About Bon Secours Health Initiative
Bon Secours New York’s Healthy Communities Initiative is committed to creating communities of health, hope and well-being. This commitment is founded in our Catholic social tradition, which teaches us that each person is not only sacred but also social. How we organize our society – in terms of economics and politics – directly affects the capacity of a person to grow and develop. There are many things that need to come together to create a healthy community, including access to quality health care, functional and affordable housing, education, employment, public safety, and recreational and cultural opportunities. Bon Secours is developing long-term, collaborative relationships with the people who live and work in selected neighborhoods in the communities we serve and with other local organizations so that together we can identify and address priorities to improve the quality of life and health.
About the Department of Transportation (DOT) Art Program
Launched in October 2008, the New York City Department of Transportation’s Art Program invigorates the City’s streetscapes with engaging temporary art installations. The Program partners with community-based organizations and artists to present murals, sculptures, projections, and performances on plazas, fences, barriers, bridges, and sidewalks for up to 11 months. Projects are presented within five program tracks: Arterventions, Barrier Beautification, Community Commissions, Art Display Case, and Site to Site. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/dotart
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