A Queens not-for-profit group is beautifying neighborhoods across the borough one mural at a time. NY1’s Clodagh McGowan filed the following report.
A pop of color and a spray of paint are bringing life to a once dingy underpass in Forest Hills.
"Since our murals are community based there's a need for some sort of preservation of famous figures from New York City, famous landmarks... because this is an ever-changing city," said Noah Sheroff, the founder of 501 See Streets.
501 See Streets is a not-for-profit dedicated to beautifying communities through art.
"The murals tend to be a graffiti deterrent, so in some neighborhoods that's especially important," said Sheroff.
Since July 2014, the group has commissioned artists to paint 15 murals throughout the city, with the majority located in Queens. Sheroff says each mural is designed with the community in mind.
"Whether you're dealing with Woodside, Woodhaven or Whitestone, its three different opinions of what a mural should look like," said Sheroff.
The most recently completed mural is a Ramones themed wall on 71st Avenue.
Artist Andre Trenier is hard at work on the newest installation across the street, a tribute to tennis legends, funded by the West Side Tennis Club.
"Every neighborhood needs art, I think it's something that people should live with, it shouldn't just be parts of museums and galleries. I think people benefit from it daily, just walking past it being inspired by it," said Trenier.
And it's already instilling a lot of community pride in everyone who walks by.
"It's great, it lights up the whole trestle. It's really great, it's super. And Forest Hills is still a wonderful place to live," exclaimed passersby.