Anti-Violence Mural Unveiled in Washington Heights

Anti-Violence Mural Unveiled in Washington Heights

September 2, 2011 6:55am | By Ben Fractenberg, DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

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WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — Dozens of Washington Heights community members and leaders came out Thursday evening for the unveiling of a mural depicting how violence has impacted their community.

Artists Frank Parga, 39, and Crystal Clarity, 28, worked with over a dozen high school students to design and paint the mural, called "Weaving Change Beyond the Shadows," on Amsterdam Avenue and 159th Street.

The 70 foot wide, 14 foot high work — which runs along the Amsterdam Avenue and 159th Street side of the Community League of the Heights headquarters — shows people impacted by violence being connected by a multi-colored quilt.

"They really just helped kick-start a lot of the process," said Parga about the student involvement. "That made people really feel something about it."

Adam Palermo, 18, said an image in the mural of a woman holding part of the quilt and weeping was inspired by Lisa Baez, whose daughter Cheyenne Baez was shot and killed in Harlem last October.

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