Current Public Art Projects
Lumina Arcana (2024)
Lumina Arcana is a public art installation designed to illuminate and revitalize Vernon Boulevard. This innovative project, spearheaded by renowned LIC-based neon light artist Kenny Greenberg of Krypton Neon, aims to bring light to underutilized public spaces and attract visitors to support local businesses along one of Long Island City’s major thoroughfares. Lumina Arcana features two pergolas constructed from wooden materials and metal railings, adorned with vibrant neon lighting. These installations are strategically placed at Vernon Mall and Gordon Triangle, transforming these under-lit areas into lively, inviting spaces.
Las Estrellas Briallarán (2023)
Las Estrellas Briallarán, located at P4 Skillman School (24-30 Skillman Ave), represents LIC’s great attributes such as its fast growing skyline, film industry, railroad and Queens Borough bridge. The mural consists of over 15,000 metal tiles, designed by Lina Montoya and fabricated by Boyce Technologies. Scores of volunteers from JetBlue, Tishman Speyer, LaGuardia Community College and the LIC community at large came together throughout July and August 2023 to help assemble the project. The installation helps to enliven an area previously lacking of color, and showcases how schools, BIDs and companies can come together to create a more harmonious, attractive community for all.
Cecilia Lueza is an Argentinian-American artist whose colorful mural invites the surrounding Long Island City community to a respite of organic creativity, within LIC's predominantly glass and steel architectural landscape. This hand painted artwork titled “Morning Glory” explores the visual effects of color while incorporating elements of nature and geometry. This mural is produced by Rockrose and the Long Island City Partnership. It is part of City Canvas, an initiative of the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs.
LIC is a Galaxy
This unique and evolving installation celebrates the idea that Long Island City is a galaxy, both diverse and unified. Whether you live and work in LIC, or are just visiting our galaxy, we encourage you to travel to all eighteen “planets” placed in tree pits throughout the district.
Twenty fiberglass spheres were manufactured by LIC-based fabricator, Sculpture House NYC. Five Queens-based artists were selected through an open call from Culture Lab LIC and commissioned to design and paint four planets each, with twenty total spheres representing our galaxy. Click on each artist below to read more about their work and the planets they created and find the location of all the artworks below! Follow along on social media with the hashtag #LICisaGalaxy
Unity & Diversity
No Cap
LICP commissioned a large-scale mural to cover the overpass of the Thomson Avenue Bridge, which connects the neighborhood over the 180-acre Sunnyside Yard. Designed by LIC-based visual artist No Cap, “Unity and Diversity” celebrates the people of Queens, the most ethnically diverse urban area in the world, through a colorful and dynamic intertwining pattern. The phrase “We Are the World” is spelled out within the design in a variety of the borough’s most commonly spoken languages.
The project was presented in partnership with the New York City Department of Transportation’s Art Program and initiated by Kristin Jefferson, a fine arts professor at LaGuardia Community College. Professor Jefferson, along with her students, played an instrumental role in determining the project’s general theme and selecting the artist to adapt their vision. “Unity and Diversity” is supported by LIC-based decorative authority Janovic, which provided paint and other materials.