A grant by ArtsWestchester will help to fund a mural at the newest senior housing complex in south Yonkers.
The nonprofit organization, which supports arts and artists in the region, contributed $2,500 through its Yonkers Arts Initiative program to help create a mural at the La Mora Senior Housing community, which opened last month.
Located at 23 Mulberry St. in the city’s Hollow neighborhood, the $48 million, four-story building has 60 energy-efficient, affordable apartments for seniors. La Mora Senior Housing was built by the nonprofit Mulford Corp. with private, state and federal funding. The Mulford Corp. is a nonprofit that was formed to develop, manage and facilitate affordable housing in Yonkers.
Artist Robin Alcantra has been commissioned to design the mural as part of a continuing public art project that has brought more than 150 pieces of art to Yonkers Housing Authority properties, including two earlier mural tributes to famous residents Earl “DMX” Simmons and Ella Fitzgerald.
Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano thanked ArtsWestchester and Westchester County for their long-standing support of public art in the city.
“Public art has become key to the expression of diversity and vibrancy of this city. Whether it is the Enslaved Africans’ Rain Garden, or the colorful murals in tribute to our hometown heroes like Ella Fitzgerald of Earl “DMX” Simmons, our partnerships with ArtsWestchester and Westchester County have helped to make these works of art come to life in our city,’’ said Spano.
Wilson Kimball, president of Mulford Corp. and CEO of Yonkers Housing Authority (YHA), said that YHA and Mulford were grateful for the funding, which supports their mission of uplifting and empowering residents through public art.
Kathleen Reckling, CEO of ArtsWestchester, said, “Public art has the power to transform spaces into places, creating moments of joy and inspiring community pride. ArtsWestchester applauds the Mulford Corporation’s vision to make the arts central to the everyday experience of Yonkers residents with a new vibrant mural at La Mora Senior Apartments.”
The Mulford Corp. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that was formed to develop, manage and facilitate affordable housing in Yonkers, New York. Since its establishment, Mulford has either developed or co-developed over 2,200 units of low-income housing and has actively participated in the operation of over 19 low-income properties. In addition to its development-related activities, Mulford works with local organizations to provide education, arts, and supportive services to the community. The Yonkers Housing Authority is the largest provider of affordable housing in the city of Yonkers and the fourth largest public housing authority in New York state. YHA has an unparalleled commitment to redeveloping, managing and administering its housing stock to provide low-income families, the elderly and disabled individuals with access to good, sustainable housing that improves the quality of the residents’ lives, fosters their economic success, and allows them to serve as integral members of communities in which they live.
