PHOTOS: 191 St. Tunnel Revamped With Local Artists’ Murals

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY - Thousands of daily subway riders in Washington Heights can enjoy vibrant hues on their descent to the 1 train starting this week.

The beautification project of the 191 Street 1 train tunnel was unveiled Saturday evening following painting-related closures Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The bold, colorful murals were executed by six local artists selected by the New York City Department of Transportation, as well as community volunteers.

“The 191st Street subway tunnel is a cherished part of the community and it’s fitting that its colorful new murals reflect the spirit of Upper Manhattan,” New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said.

“These local artists, along with the dozens of community volunteers, brought a renewed vibrancy to the inside of the tunnel. I thank everyone for their participation and look forward to the public enjoying the walls that are truly a work of art.”

Each local artist was assigned an equal segment of the tunnel, which in total spans about 10,000 square feet of mural space. One artist was also commissioned to paint the outside entrance to the tunnel, transportation officials said.

Community volunteers of all ability levels were able to implement the designs after artists transferred their designs to stencils.

The volunteers also helped with other painting related tasks through Saturday.

Participating artists included Washington Heights/Inwood-born Daniel Bonilla (Love and Repeat) and Jamaica-based Denise Coke (You Are Always Home), as well as Washington-Heights based artists Vicky Azcoitia (Pasito a Pasito), Rasheeda Johnson (Bayahibe Rose Eternal), Carla Torres (Platanal) and Pabon Crane, the latter of whom facilitated a group of local volunteers to paint a portion of the tunnel with their own designs.

“I am excited to paint this iconic tunnel in the neighborhood where I grew up and walk through frequently,” Bonilla said. “Public art is so important for many reasons, and I hope to continue creating, not just for the locals, but for the entire world.”

Mural descriptions are provided below, courtesy of the New York City Department of Transportation:

Vicky Azcoitia (Pasito a Pasito): The Washington Heights-based artist, in addition to painting, works with photography and design. “Pasito a Pasito” honors the sounds of the community through the representation of Merengue-Salsa with a blue background that represents the two rivers that surround the neighborhood, green highlighting the parks, and different size footprints emphasizing the families who enjoy them.

Daniel Bonilla (Love and Repeat): A Washington Heights/Inwood-born and raised artist who is curating the Riverside-Inwood Neighborhood Gardens “Art in the Garden” for the third year in a row. “Love and Repeat” is made up of a series of shapes symbolizing a heart repeating many times over. Most importantly it symbolizes inspiration to do what we do with love over and over.

Denise Coke (You Are Always Home): A Queens-born Caribbean-American who is based in Jamaica, Queens, is an award-winning creative director and owner of $NP Designs who is best described as an augmented reality artist, muralist, and digital artist. Coke was tasked with painting a colorful and vibrant entrance to the tunnel. “You Are Always Home” embraces the vibrant cultural tapestry of Washington Heights symbolized by a welcoming woman of color extending her arms to invite all into the tunnel. She is adorned with blossoms from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

Rasheeda Johnson (Bayahibe Rose Eternal): A multidisciplinary artist with 13 years as a Washington Heights resident, Johnson has had the opportunity to experience the rich cultures represented in the area, which she uses as inspiration for her work. “Bayahibe Rose Eternal” features the Bayahibe rose as the basis for her design. The rose is the national flower of the Dominican Republic which is reflective of the large Dominican population in the area.

Carla Torres (Platanal): A Washington Heights-based artist since 2006, originally from Ecuador, Torres works across several media including drawing, painting, illustration, animation, and murals. “Platanal” is expressed by a simple, abstract landscape that mirrors the scenery of a platanal (Spanish for banana plantation) and reflects on the richness of Dominican and Ecuadorian food and culture present in Washington Heights. “Platanal” also brings some beauty and nature to the underground.