A Masterpiece In The Making: See Legendary Chalk Artist Hani Outside Berkeley College

On Thursday, October 15, 2015, at 12:00 p.m., sidewalk artist Hani Shihada will begin work on a piece of street art commemorating the 85th anniversary of Berkeley College and its role in helping students graduate to a better future. The chalk artist, who has honed his craft over 30 years, will create the portrait on the sidewalk in front of Berkeley College at 12 E. 41st St., New York, NY.

“It’s all about inspiration and the celebration of success,” said Mr. Shihada about his work at Berkeley College. “The whole idea is to promote something positive, something energetic – the happiness and joy of graduating and seeing your future in front of you.”

The portrait will depict a student with her hands raised in celebration on the graduation stage and the message “Graduate to a Better Future.”

Mr. Shihada began painting on sidewalks while studying art in Rome in the late 1970s. He has completed works for Britney Spears, tennis star Roger Federer and Nickelodeon, and has received recognition from U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonya Sotomayor, among others.

Mr. Shihada said working on the streets of New York is challenging, but he is comfortable facing the crowded sidewalks where he has perfected his art over the past 30 years. Before he can use the sidewalk as a canvas, Mr. Shihada must clean the concrete, and said he plans to spend several hours scraping gum and washing the sidewalk.

“Many artists like to work in subdued, calm areas where they can be relaxed,” he said. “But I love it here. Art makes people more peaceful, more loving, more generous. Because I work on the sidewalk, they see the work belongs to them. No one owns it.”

Watch the Artist Work: Mr. Shihada will begin work on the sidewalk portrait at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 15, 2015, and will work until about 7:00 p.m. He plans to finish the piece on Friday, October 16, 2015, around 12:00 p.m. He will return on Saturday, October 17, 2015, for touchup, weather permitting. For more information, visit www.hanisidewalkart.com

//wD]nip