New Long Island City Open Space Needs Art, Developers Say

LONG ISLAND CITY, QUEENS — A new public garden has just opened in Long Island City as part of a residential development — and owners are seeking artists to help enliven the open space.

The garden will be completed by the end of March on Center Boulevard between 54th and Borden avenues, facing Hunter's Point South Park. It is wedged between the 55- and 46-story apartment towers recently built by TF Cornerstone at 52-03 and 52-41 Center Blvd.

Now, TF Cornerstone and the nonprofit Culture Lab LIC have launched an open call for public outdoor sculptures that would adorn the garden on a temporary basis.

Each artist would receive up to $3,000 for exhibiting an artwork, which could be either new or existing. Artists from the Long Island City area will be prioritized, organizers said.

Artists can submit proposals online until April 17 at 11:59 p.m.

Sculptures need to be "original, durable and safe for viewing by the public" in the garden, "able to withstand extreme year-round weather conditions and tolerate strong winds," organizers said.

Winning proposals will be chosen by TF Cornerstone and Culture Lab LIC. Plaques with the artist's name, along with details about the artwork, will be displayed on each sculpture.

Housing lotteries launched last year and in 2020 for a combined 719 below-market-rate apartments in the two towers.