
La Fortaleza Concept
Economic Development via Arts & Culture









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OUR POSTER / IMAGE PROJECT:
El Barrio's Latino walls -- Stunning public art in New York City. Add your work or image.
let's work together, Let us sell your art work.

Artist: Manny Vega

105th Street and 3rd Avenue: The title translates into "Two Wings" and it refers to the cultural ties, common histories, mutual struggles for independence, and relationship between Puerto Rico and Cuba. The mural is the collaborative effort of several local artists and volunteers. For more pictures, click below.

LOCATION: Park Avenue & 106th Street, west side of Park Ave. It was initiated by local youth and overseen by one of NYC's most prominent graffiti artist groups (TATS CRU). Graffiti is an art form that took root during the 1970s. Once looked upon as an eye sore, it now stands as a stellar example of creativity and resourcefulness among youth.

LOCATION: Lexington Ave between 104th and 105th Streets. Once a vacant lot, building superintendent, Modesto Flores, undertook the task of beautifying the space and constructed a garden that now bears his name. Nestled by the East Harlem Cafe, it serves as a venue for live performances, cultural events, and social gathers. It features the art work of two women artists, Yazmin Hernandez (mural) and Lina Puerta (statue).

LOCATION: East 103rd Street & Madison Avenue. The mural's purpose is to foster and encourage learning to children in the neighborhood. It depicts images of children taking part in several activities that enhance education, reading, planting, etc.

Park Avenue and 125th St. Artist: Tats Cru Inc.

LOCATION: East 124th St and Lexington Ave. Artist: James De la Vega. Part of artist's "Homage to Picasso" series. De la Vega is also known for his sidewalk chalk artwork that incorporates meaningful and often thought provoking passages with simple line graphics and his monicker signature "De la Vega" throughout the city. Click below for more pictures.

LOCATION: East 104th and Lexington Ave., Pedro Pietri is perhaps the most iconic figure of the Nuyorican Poet's movement. He is also a founding member of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in the city. His prominence as a poet and activist, in 1969 during the Young Lords' take over of the 1st Spanish Methodist Church (East 111th St & Lex. Ave) of the "People's Church" where he read his "Puerto Rican Obituary".

LOCATION: East 104th Street btwn Lexington & 3rd Avenues. Artist: James de la Vega.

LOCATION: 104th and Park Ave. Artist: James de la Vega. "Become Your Dream" is one of several and the most associated sidewalk chalk artwork by James. Sidewalks weren't the only "canvas" for de la Vega. Sidewalks, walls, construction sites, and even trashed appliances all serve as a canvas.

3rd Ave, near Payless ShoeSource

LOCATION: East 104th St btwn Lexington & 3rd Avenues. Hope Community is one of many local organizations to have been "born, bred, & buttered" in El Barrio/East Harlem. The colorful display draws attention to what the housing organization has dedicated itself to accomplish.

LOCATION: East 105th and Lexington Ave. Artist: Manny Vega. Created on wooden panels surrounding a construction site, this piece is composed of several themes. Seen hear is a quote from Malcolm X and a bicycled figure borrowed from Mexican cultural tradition of the "Dia De Los Muertos" (Day of the Dead) giving pop star, Amy Winehouse, a ride.

Sophie D. & William Cohen Research Building

Global Tech Prep, 120 and Lexington

This colorful mural is nearly hidden on the side of a building between a deli and a barbershop. Look for it on the west side of Lexington Avenue.

127th and Madison

Decorative fences in front of the National Black Theatre, 2031 5th Ave.

LOCATION: East 120th and 5th Ave. Artist: Nnamdi Okonkwo. It sits across from the Marcus Garvey Park, previously called Mount Morris Park. It rests on the western border between East and Central Harlem.

LOCATION: E. 117th St btwen 3rd & 2nd Avenues. It reflects two things about El Barrio/East Harlem. One is its political inclination to progressive movements and the second to the continuation of Latinos as the prevailing ethnic group in El Barrio. Zapatistas is a leftist group based in Chiapas, the southern most region is a social justice movement centered on land re-distribution among other issues in Mexico. Its name sake is Emiliano Zapata, the leader of the county's agrarian reform movement.

E 117th b/w 2nd and 3rd

E 118th b/w 2nd and 3rd

E 117th b/w 2nd and 3rd

2nd Ave b/w 118th and 119th

E 117th b/w 3rd and 2nd




E 120th b/w 2nd and 3rd

1st Ave b/w 118th and 119th









