Greetings From Queens
Fresh Meadows, Queens, NYC
Client: Federal Realty
Medium: Acrylic on installed mural panels
Size: 11 ft x 21 ft
Community Participants: 100+
Completed: 2019
The Opportunity
Federal Realty envisioned a more vibrant and welcoming experience throughout the Fresh Meadows shopping center in Queens, New York. The goal was to transform underutilized walls into memorable public art destinations while creating opportunities for the surrounding community to actively participate in the creative process. Over the course of two years, the initiative expanded into a collection of six permanent murals designed to celebrate the identity and diversity of Queens.
The approach
Working closely with Federal Realty, the mural series was designed as a long-term outdoor installation built to withstand New York’s changing seasons. A custom system of weather-resistant mural panels was engineered and installed across each location, allowing the artwork to become a lasting part of the shopping center’s architecture.
The Flagship
The flagship mural, Greetings from Queens, celebrates the borough through an illustrated journey of iconic landmarks, neighborhoods, and cultural symbols—from the New York State Pavilion and the Unisphere to the 7 train and the everyday energy that makes Queens unique. Throughout the project, community paint days invited families, students, shoppers, and even children waiting at nearby bus stops to step forward, pick up a brush, and leave their own mark on the artwork.
The outcome
The completed mural series transformed the shopping center into a colorful destination that reflects the character of the surrounding neighborhood. Greetings from Queens quickly became the most recognized of the six murals, gaining widespread attention across social media and viral recognition on Reddit while becoming a favorite local photo destination. More importantly, the project created lasting community ownership by inviting hundreds of residents to help shape the artwork themselves, leaving behind a permanent reminder that public spaces are strongest when the people who use them help create them.
Ready to create something similar?
Whether you’re planning a permanent mural, an interactive community art experience, or a custom artwork, every project begins with a conversation about your goals, your space, and the people you hope to inspire.