Breath-taking views of the East River and Midtown Manhattan. Fresh hamburgers at Ottomanelli By The Water. Pick-up soccer games, outdoor aerobics, and picnics. There are countless reasons to hang out in Hunter’s Point State Park these days.
Here’s the latest. Frank Ottomanelli recently added some new art to the Hunter’s Point South Park Mural that snakes through his eponymous restaurant’s outdoor dining area.
Diverse and talented – as to be expected in Queens – the displying artists submitted proposals to an advisory committee that selected the pieces that are now on view. The theme is Community Unity.
Here’s more information on the artists and their work.
“Queens,” 2024
Ida Noelle and Althéa Labré (Long Island City)
This is a Queens marker where people can take photos to share and show pride of place.
“Friendly Surroundings,” 2023
Plushie aka Brittney Rios (Astoria)
This playful and inviting scene features friendly critters interacting with their environment and having a good time. The scene adds a touch of magic to the environment as artsy tools bring everything to life, symbolizing how the space’s possibilities are endless.
“Queensbridge Flight,” 2024
Colleen Kong-Savage (Long Island City)
Pigeons move in unison against the silhouette of the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge. The artist often watches these commonplace birds—often considered pests—as they swoop over the nearby East River, doing marvelous dances against the sky.
“Unity in Diversity,” 2023
Victoria Nieto (Long Island City)
Nature is the means to communicate the importance of diversity. It takes all different kinds of people to make up this world and our differences should be accepted, respected, and celebrated.
“Untitled”
Nafisa Ferdous (Sunnyside)
Born in Bangladesh, but based in NYC, Ferdous is a feminist illustrator.
“LIC Lazy River,” 2024
Mort Art (Long Island City)
The artist and some duck friends enjoy a nice day by the water.
“Eve of NY,” 2024
Maggie Carine (Jackson Heights)
This piece evokes the duality and familiarity of the artist’s LIC home. It serves as a reminder that humans are not alone on their journeys.
Queens the Fertile Garden of Unity, 2024
Deborah Camp (Woodhaven)
A garden thrives with vibrant flowers nourished by the sun, fresh air, respect, love, kindness, and care. The flowers blossom to reveal each individual in the garden of unity as they emerge from their petals to play, walk their dogs, dance, exercise, make and listen to music, read, meditate, and unleash their creativity to inspire one another.
United in Nature, 2023
Adela Navarro (Brooklyn)
Natural elements unite the people of LIC in their diversity and convey a message of environmental care.
Helping Hands, 2023
Talisa Almonte (Astoria)
This rough design is inspired by what the artist believes community is all about: helping each other and helping the community by showing up when needed.
Crowd-Surf Corsage, 2023
Kerri Boccard Tiburzi (Astoria)
The artist got inspiration for this piece by one of her poems: “My heart is filled with colors, they escape through my hands, as I long to share the flowers, that grow inside my head.”
Dogs of Long Island City, 2023
Annabelle Popa (Jackson Heights)
The artist was a shy child who never talked to neighbors. This changed in 2013, when she got a dog. Her piece celebrates the local canine community.
Background
Ottomanelli By The Water’s address is 52-10 Center Blvd. in Long Island City. It consists of a concession stand, covered and uncovered dining areas, an open outdoor space, and the growing mural. The East River flows by the property, which is also near NYC Ferry’s LIC stop.
The Hunter’s Point South Park Mural’s lead sponsor is Ottomanelli By The Water with the Queens Economic Development Corporation as a main supporter. It’s presented via a partnership with NYC Parks, Culture Lab LIC, Queensboro Dance Festival, Hunter’s Point Parks Conservancy, and LIC Partnership.
Photos: Sam Smouha