Wash Heights Vacant Storefronts Transformed Into Art Gallery

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — A collection of Washington Heights vacant storefronts have been transformed into an art gallery as part of an organization's push to beautify New York City's streetscape.

The nonprofit Art On The Ave, in partnership with the Washington Heights Business Improvement District, has placed artwork in 12 vacant storefronts between West 169th and 170th streets and Broadway, along with three more windows on 181st Street.

"Of all the exhibitions so far, I feel this one will have the most impact — perhaps not in sales, time will tell that, but certainly in terms of uplifting an area that needed some TLC (tender, loving, care) and creating an opportunity for everyone and anyone to see and enjoy art," Barbara Anderson, the founder of Art On The Ave, told Patch. "We are seeing something very special."

The Washington Heights gallery is titled, "The Rise," and it aims to "reflect and radiate the unique spirt of Washington Heights."

Here are the artists featured in the initiative, all of whom are local to Upper Manhattan.

• Aleathea Sapp
• Annette Back
• Carlos Mateu
• Cathy O'Keefe
• Dusko Petrovic
• Fitgi Saint Louis
• Francis Hsueh
• Janis Crespo
• Jerise Fogel
• Joely Saravia
• Josefina Hernandez
• Katie Godowski
• Lauren Camara
• Len Cicio
• Maggie Hernandez
• Nelson Host Santiago
• Paul O'Malley
• Rafaela Gomez Luna
• Robin Simmons
• Ruthy Valdez
• Sage Gallon
• Sandra White
• Tali Margolin
• Vaidehi Kinkhabwala
• Zoe Rosenberg
• Wilson Fernandez

All of the art you see in the Washington Heights storefronts is for sale, and you can find out more by clicking on the above artists names.

Along with the new art installations, there is also a new communal playground in Quisqueya Plaza for the next two weeks.

It is a donation from the Sing for Hope foundation and will be given to a local school after its plaza time is up.

"These places (vacant storefronts) were dark, dirty and unattractive and are now inspiring bright galleries for the community and visitors to enjoy," Isidro Medina, the Executive Director of the Washington Heights Business Improvement District, told Patch.