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Painting of Community Mural Kicks Off On Thomson Ave Bridge

Photo courtesy of LIC Partnership

July 13, 2015 By Jackie Strawbridge

The Thomson Avenue Bridge became a canvas for the community on Monday.

Volunteers kicked off a community painting event for a new mural designed by local artist Mark Salinas, which he is bringing to the bridge between Skillman Avenue and 44th Drive in collaboration with the Department of Transportation and the Long Island City Partnership.

Titled “Pedestrian Patterns Mural,” the work stretches 6,000 square-feet. Volunteers helped put down a primer on Monday, Salinas said; he will stencil in the mural this week, and then volunteers from LaGuardia Community College and other organizations will start filling it in.

Slots are still open for individuals who would like to participate. To get in touch, email mark@7trainmurals.com.

Salinas is the founder of 7Train Murals, an organization dedicated to beautifying vacant and vandalized public spaces in neighborhoods along the 7 train subway line in Queens. Per the organization’s website, all 7Train Murals are painted and maintained by volunteers who live and work locally.

According to Salinas, the mural’s design is inspired by sneaker sole patterns, illustrating the daily commute.

“The image begins bold and colorful and then transitions, with the rise and descent of the bridge’s architecture, into a quiet and camouflaged design,” the artist explained in a statement.

“Thomson Avenue Bridge is a vital connector for thousands of LaGuardia Community College students, local workers and residents,” Elizabeth Lusskin, President of the LIC Partnership, said. “Mark is a true community member, and we are so excited that he will be working with teams of volunteers from the local community to paint this vibrant mural.”

A public unveiling of the mural is slated for August 12.