Empowering Youth Through Art: CityKids Foundation and Crash One’s Mural Project

We are thrilled to share the success of our recent mural project, a testament to our commitment to empowering youth through creativity, leadership, and community engagement. This project, inspired by our original collaboration with the iconic Keith Haring, provided a platform for young people to express themselves and contribute to their local community.

It's tasteful, it's beautiful, and it's organized, especially in a neighborhood where there isn't a lot to see.

Boon Ave Resident

Boone Ave Day 1

OUR STORY

The Vision

Our vision was to create a mural that serves as a monumental timestamp, capturing the thoughts, ideas, and culture of the young people involved. To bring this vision to life, we partnered with Johnny Matos, known as Crash One of Tats Cru. With deep roots in hip-hop culture, Crash One brought authenticity and expertise to the proje

Collaborating with Bronx Envision Academy DJ Club

We collaborated with Bronx Envision Academy’s DJ Club, a safe space where participants explore the five elements of hip-hop through MCing, DJing, breakdancing, knowledge, and graffiti. This partnership was a natural fit, as both organizations share a commitment to youth empowerment and creative expression.

The Workshops

CityKids and Bronx Envision students joined together in a series of workshops featuring our signature ice breakers, interactive games, and explorations of safe space. These activities helped the group center and discuss current issues and challenges in their lives and community. The final workshop, led by the CityKids team and Crash One, was a think tank session where students shared sketches and ideas while learning about mural creation and what makes a mural successful.

Launch Day

On launch day, the CityKids core team and Crash One set up the site and primed the wall. Wen, the founder of Boone Ave Mural, shared the history of Boone Ave and discussed the challenges of public art in a rapidly gentrifying New York City. Wen’s insights underscored the importance of projects like Boone Ave Mural, which prioritize public art and beautification. As the students from Bronx Envision Academy arrived, they were handed spray cans by Crash One and invited to participate in creating the mural. This moment echoed the creation of the Liberty Banner Mural with Keith Haring in 1986, where young people contributed to the mural's art.

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Boon Ave Mural Day 2

Launching The Mural

Completion and Celebration

The second day saw continued work with more DJ Club members adding details and colors to finalize the mural. The final touch was adding the names of everyone involved, a tradition in graffiti art dating back to the 80s. The completed mural attracted a crowd of friends, family, and admirers. One local resident remarked on how Boone Ave Mural had positively impacted the area, expressing appreciation for “something nice, tasteful, and organized.” ConclusionThis mural project highlights the power of art and creativity in empowering youth and beautifying communities. Special thanks to Deluca, Magnolia, for funding this project. We are excited about our partnership with Crash One, Elite Productions, and Bronx Envision Academy, and we look forward to more projects that inspire and uplift young people.