First City Project — Historic Glen Cove Mansion Transformed into Graffiti and Street Art Mecca — Opens to the Public

March 2, 2017

dain-street-art-on-mansion

The First City Project has been busy at work transforming a historic 9000-square foot Glen Cove, Long Island site into an extraordinary Mecca of street art and graffiti. Curated by Joe LaPadulaSean Sullivan and Harris Lobel — with the assistance of Brandon Aviles — it opens tonight, Thursday, March 2, to the public. While visiting yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak to the projects’s founder Joe LaPadula.

Layer-cake.-graphic-art

This place is remarkable. You guys are making history! There’s such an amazing mix of styles and genres here. It’s home to some of my favorite artists, as well as others who are new to me. What made you decide to open it to the public on this particular date?

The Glen Cove BID (Business Improvement District) is holding its annual meeting on this date, March 2nd. And as I had recently been nominated to serve on its board, I thought that this space would be an ideal place for the BID to meet on this date. And, then, why not invite the public?

Karen-Bystedt-and Joe-Mac-Lapadula

The local residents here seem quite enthusiastic and curious. And as this place is a street art and graffiti aficionado’s dream, many folks are likely to travel into Glen Cove, Long Island from NYC, NJ and beyond.  What can visitors expect to experience at this opening?

For the locals and surrounding communities, it will be a new experience. They will be introduced to the next generation of urban-themed artists. And for everyone, it will be a chance to see some great art and meet dozens of talented artists. There will also be a huge variety of refreshments from Sweet Agenda Cafe‘s Dough Donuts to catered Italian meatballs to Garvies Point Brewery‘s craft beer. We will even have a Gorilla Cheese Food Truck on our grounds.

rocko-calligraffiti

How many artists are included here? It seems that every step I take, I discover someone new!

There are 125, and we are still counting!

dom

What was your greatest challenge in dealing with so many artists with so many different sensibilities?

Placement was the hugest issue.

marc-evan

How can folks visit this space, if they are unable to attend the opening event?

They can contact me or one of the other curators — Sean Sullivan or Harris Lobel.

Ben-f-graphic

That sounds great! Good luck with it all.

curatorars

first-city-project

Images

1 Dain

2 Layer Cake NY

Karen Bystedt and Joe Mac LaPadula

4 Rocko

5 Dom

6 Marc Evan

7 Ben Fronckowiak

8  Joe LaPadulaBrandon AvilesSean Sullivan and Harris Lobel (left to right)

Photo credits: 1-5, 7 & 8 Lois Stavsky; 6 Harris Lobel

{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }

Lisa March 13, 2017 at 6:23 pm

Are you back open for viewing today?

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Gina Small November 11, 2017 at 9:28 pm

Dropped in to your Art in Motion event today in Glen Cove and have to tell you that I was thrilled with what I saw! Aside from the incredible talent of the contributors I couldn’t help noticing the positive impact this had on our community. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT GLEN COVE NEEDS! Please let me know if there is anything I can do to support future projects that not only promote up and coming talent but allow artisan vendors a chance to show/sell their creations. Bravo sir, you hit the nail right on the head!

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Jhagmaier1030@gmail.com November 19, 2017 at 8:17 pm

What days/hours is this open

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Allyson Uttendorfer February 11, 2018 at 7:33 pm

I am a high school art teacher at half hollow hills high school east. I would love to try to schedule a trip for my photography and art history students. Please let me know a good contact for this. Thank you

Reply

Maxine April 24, 2018 at 5:22 pm

Hello. I saw the nice article on the news! The place looks great. When is it open?
I’m looking for graffiti artist.
Can u send me some contacts pls?
Thanks.
Maxine 516-528-5955 cell

Reply

lois April 27, 2018 at 7:42 pm

I’m sorry I don’t have any current info, as my contact who was involved with it no longer is.

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