The Best of 2016
Wow what a year! Obviously, everyone has done a lot this year and we can’t wait for 2017. From the projects we did, to the people that toured with us, we are so grateful. We put together the 10 best moments of this year in order for us to celebrate all of the good vibes 2016 brought us.
Number 10: The tragedy of graffiti often times is that our favorite pieces get lost thru the buff or destroyed by human hands. This year we had plenty of great works fade into oblivion. The most notable was the destruction of the lot on Mulburry St. that was the HQ of the LISA project. We were lucky enough to get a tour of the lot from Lisa Project founder Wayne Ruda with the LIU students of Professor Ryan Seslow. Although the LISA Project still continues, the art world continues to struggle to find a foothold on the streets of Manhattan.
L.I.S.A Project Lot
Number 9: The Bowery Wall after being blank for almost half a year was blessed by Logan Hicks creating this amazing stenciled masterpiece featuring Martha Cooper and many others from the art world. The biggest street art wall in Manhattan has new life and it has been a pleasure to show it throughout the year. Congrats Logan!
Number 8: No list of 2016 would be complete without mention of our next president. This Humpty Trumpty as the Bushwick Collective has become an instant classic. Ron English using his classical pop surrrealist style has encapsilated many people fears and taunts of Mr. Donald.
Humpty Trumpty 2016
Number 7: Every year we host the finalist of the H.S Heisman award, a $20,000 scholarship prize for scholar athletes that show leadership in their community, academic excellence, and participate in H.S sports. This year the kids did their best job yet created the famous John Heisman on campus.
The final Product
Number 6: The Bushwick Collective remains the stalwart of the NYC Street Art Scene. After a fresh set of paint this year, the Collective has never been better. This year the art focused more on NYC artsits for the first time and hosts several fresh burners from the likes of Yes2, Za One, and even Meers. Our favorite piece this year was the collaboration between Lolo YS and NYchos.
Number 5: This year our resident graffiti artist joined the team full time. LEAF has been getting up in NYC for five years and now has a full time job teaching the craft he knows so well. Take any lesson with us in 2017 and you will be sure to run into this gentlemen. We are all happy to have him on board the team.
LEAF
Number 4: If you have ever taken our Manhattan Street Art Tour, you have passed Ideal Glass. What once was a glass factory is now a theater and art space. Coming out of supposed retirement, Ori Carino painted this wall for the first time using his famous ability to create whimsical characters. This was a true prize to have on our tour for a short time in 2016.
Number 3: Our corporate workshops are always a blast, but we had a real special experience with the Instagrammers of NYC. One of the original members of Instagram schooled us on entrepreneurship and it was a real honor getting to know the team and installing their work in the office in Cooper Square.
Number 2: We were proud to be the live entertainment for guests coming to the opening Party of the Brooklyn Marriott. We produced a tag sign in board for the Brooklyn Marriott’s VIPs as they entered the party. Guests were invited to produce their own marks as a one of a kind centerpiece for the party. #bkmarriotttransformed
Number 1: Pow Wow Hawaii 2016 lived up to its name. Over 30 murals were completed over the span of two weeks including works by OG Legend Risk and new school visual god 1010. The field this year was diverse including works from over 15 countries including Brazil, locals from Hawaii, and even a Japanese contingent. We were proud to be part of the festivities.
Defer for Pow Wow 2016