A Black Lives Matter mural was created in downtown Yonkers over the weekend of August 28-30. The mural, spearheaded by Yonkers resident Ray Wilcox, Executive Director of Yonkers Arts, a local nonprofit which joined in the effort, was painted along South Broadway, between Prospect Avenue and Hudson Street.
Wilcox thanked the hundreds of volunteers and 17 different organizations who came together over the weekend to paint the mural. “Knowing the history of our city and its dynamics, the mural will spark conversations on both sides of the spectrum and that’s how we can start creating resolutions for change,” said Wilcox.
No taxpayer dollars were used for the BLM Mural. The funds were raised utilizing grassroots collaboration with a cohort of local community organizations; all who are creating impact for the betterment of the city.
The collaboration also birthed the opportunity to form a community ‘action’ panel composed of these community leaders that will continue to engage with our elected officials on some of the glaring issues directly affecting the community.
“Yonkers Arts aims to continue to execute on our new aggressive and ambitious agenda through collaborative programming execution. I feel through these ‘organic’ partnerships we, alongside the City of Yonkers, will continue to create the impactful opportunities within the city of Yonkers.”
Wilcox said that during the project, “we had the full support of the community, and the Mayor. While we understand that some may have different opinions, that is part of the reason why the mural was created, to begin a dialogue that’s long overdue.”
The location of the mural changed from its original destination, on Main Street just two blocks away near the waterfront, because of the narrow roadways and lack of space between the sidewalks, buildings and the pavement.
South Broadway has a more of an open space feel and the final result is a spectacular work of art, which Wilcox hopes “will go national. We are putting Yonkers on the map. This is a moving image that is already creating an impact. I encourage everyone from Yonkers and beyond to come down and take a look.”
Drone images are also available online. The location of the mural is also close to the Yonkers Veterans Memorial –next to City Hall.
Yonkers Arts is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to developing the artistic community and impact through the arts in the city of Yonkers, NY.
