50 New Murals Coming To East Harlem Business Gates

EAST HARLEM, NY — Public art initiative 100 Gates – which connects local artists and businesses in order to commission murals on storefront security gates — is expanding from the Lower East Side to East Harlem. The initiative will pair 50 artists and East Harlem businesses to bring murals to the neighborhood.

100 Gates' expansion into East Harlem was made possible by a $140,000 grant from the city Department of Small Business Services. The entity that manages the program, the Lower East Side Partnership, will partner with the New Harlem East Merchant Association to bring 50 murals to East Harlem in the next year and a half, according to a press release.

“The 100 Gates Project connects small merchants, property owners and local artists who work collaboratively to beautify storefronts and streetscapes while deterring illegal graffiti.” Tim Laughlin, President of the Lower East Side Partnership, said in a statement. “We are proud to partner with the Neighborhood 360° program in utilizing public art to improve residential quality of life and support the growth and vitality of local economies in Downtown Staten Island and East Harlem.”

The 100 Gates project was created in 2014 with the goal of decorating business gates with street art as opposed to illegal graffiti. By the end of 2016 the project had succeeded in adding 100 new murals to the Lower East Side. The program will also spend a portion of the $140,000 grant to bring 50 murals to Staten Island.

East Harlem artists and businesses interested in participating in 100 Gates' expansion into the neighborhood can find more information and apply here.

Check out some of 100 Gates' murals in the Lower East Side:

All photos by Sarah Kaufman/Patch