This past Labor Day weekend in “El Barrio,” East Harlem, the famed Graffiti Hall of Fame became an outdoor artist studio. The weekend was filled with music, paint and lots of street artists working on one of the few protected walls in the city. Founded by Ray Rodriguez (aka “Sting Ray”) in 1980, the walls at The Jackie Robinson Educational Center are not only protected, but also cherished by the community and have become a destination for tour groups as well as a blank canvas for street artists several times a year.
We last brought you an update on the Graffiti Hall of Fame Wall in January and thought we would go back to see the new work done over Labor Day weekend. The photos above and below show the outer wall facing Park Avenue before and after the weekend, new work above done by Tats Cru.
East Harlem has a plethora of art in public spaces and will soon include artist housing at PS 109, which is one of Untapped Cities recommendations during OHNY weekend. El Museo del Barrio is also in close proximity at Fifth Avenue and 104th Street.
Photos above and below show the work before and after Labor Day weekend.
The Graffiti Hall of Fame can be found on East 106th Street between Madison Avenue and Park Avenue. The artwork runs along Park Avenue outside the complex as well as in the playground, which runs along 106th Street. It is open to the public every Saturday from 8:30am to 4pm, weather permitting but not open in winter.
You can view more photos taken over Labor Day Weekend here. The #6 train to 103rd Street is an easy walk to the complex.
Check out 5 street art hotspots in NYC besides 5 Pointz. Contact the author at AFineLyne
