Empty Harlem Storefronts Are Beautified With Artworks

HARLEM, NY — Stroll by an empty storefront in West Harlem over the next few weeks, and you may find it brightened by a colorful canvas.

You can thank the neighborhood nonprofit Harlem One Stop, whose new project, "Art in Windows," has now beautified four vacant storefronts around the neighborhood. The windows feature a combined 15 works by six artists — all of whom live and work in Harlem.

See here for a map of the locations, which include a storefront on Broadway, two more on Amsterdam Avenue, and the City College Center for the Arts building near West 135th Street.

The artwork will remain on view through Aug. 31.

Besides the art, each storefront also features a QR code that shows information about the artwork, the real estate space, and the community group sponsoring each installation — a list that includes Home Sweet Harlem, City College Center for the Arts, Burger and Shake, and Community League of the Heights.

The participating Harlem artists, meanwhile, include Duhirwe Rushemeza, Kisha Batista, Brandon Green, Tom Sanford, Medi Matin, and Adrian Kondratowicz — who also served as the curator.

"This summer, we will turn the gallery inside out and transform window space along Broadway and Amsterdam as we continue investing and promoting the Arts in Harlem," Harlem One Stop executive director Yuien Chin said in a statement.

"This initiative aims to revitalize the commercial corridors. At once the public is engaged with images while attention is paid to West Harlem’s diverse eateries and services."

The entire project was funded by the West Harlem Development Corporation.

"I love being a Harlem-based artist able to feel connected to our community through artwork in this very immediate and gratifying exchange," said Rushemeza, one of the artists.

"I love that the viewer, or simply the passerby catching a glimpse of our work as they go about their daily activities, could be inspired to visit a museum or art gallery."

Read more about the project and see images of the artworks on the "Art In Windows" website.