As we passed the two-year mark of the arrival of COVID-19 here in New York City, we took a look back to celebrate many of the essential workers who helped us power through this pandemic. You can find their portraits on storefront gates along East 125th Street as part of the "Together, We Are New York" campaign convened by the Association for a Better New York.
Guided by a group of community stakeholders and the leadership of Harlem Wellness Center, several of our Grandscale Mural Project artist alumni returned to the corridor in the autumn of 2021 to create an outdoor gallery on small business gates that feature portraits of unsung community members in our neighborhood.
The gates included:
SUBWAY HERO: Wesley Autrey at 125th Street Pizza of Harlem, painted by artist Andre Trenier
POST OFFICE HEROES: Loretta Pratcher, Gloria Ingram, James Cade, Jackie Eaton, Carla Robinson and Necole Nesby, at Melover Wine & Liquor, painted by artist Andre Trenier
FOOD SERVICE HEROES: Emarn Ahmad and Yahya Kaid at Q&N Food, painted by Lostbreed Culture (Fausto Ramos & Luis Perez)
HEALTH & STREET OUTREACH HEROES: Juan Cortez of NYHRE/OnPoint at Samaritan Village, painted by Kron (Miguel Moronta)
CHILDREN & SMALL BUSINESS HEROES: Ketema, RufaEL and MikaEL at Jahlookova, painted by Kristy McCarthy (outside) & Caryn Cast (inside)
ARTIST & EDUCATOR HEROES: Henry Grimes, the Marcus Garvey Park drummers, Tamara Hendricks and Carmen Paulino at Harlem Fresh & Edible Arrangements, painted by Menaceresa (Theresa Piece & Eric Cheung)
Photography by Victorio Milian of Creative Chaos Photography.
