The city of New Rochelle and its master developer, RXR, have announced that painter Mona Balgobin has won a rent-free year at One Clinton Park, RXR”™s second residential tower in the municipality, following a social media competition. It”™s the latest in the city and RXR”™s partnership to bring new residents downtown and foster the area”™s spirit of creativity and entrepreneurship.
Originally from the Bronx, Balgobin and her family moved to New Rochelle amid the pandemic, around the time she started to develop her painting style. She quickly realized just how much she loved New Rochelle and what the city has to offer. Having first started as a nail artist, she has since expanded her work and collaborated with small businesses in New Rochelle, from nail salons to bagel shops, to enliven their spaces. (Her latest work includes a line of multipurpose workout mats printed with her some of her art, which was inspired by the seven chakras, or meditation focal points in the body, and third-eye energy.)
“In the last several years, RXR has proven themselves to be a terrific partner, not only in their commitment to building up downtown’s streetscape and skyline, but also in fostering all the artistic and creative attributes that make a community like New Rochelle thrive,” Mayor Norm Bramson said in a statement. “I look forward to welcoming new residents to our community and, in the spirit of the free-rent contest, celebrating the special contributions of local artists to New Rochelle’s heritage and future.”
