On the last Saturday in June, July & August, Uptown Grand Central will bring togetherartists to paint more than half a mile of green construction panels.

EAST HARLEM, NY (June 24, 2025) – More than 100 New York City artists from UpperManhattan and the Bronx will join in this summer to paint more than half a mile of green construction panels along 125 th Street and 124 th Street in East Harlem – in one of the largest street art installations of its kind in New York City.

First convened in 2019 by Uptown Grand Central, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the East 125 th Street / Metro-North corridor, the Grandscale Mural Project now every two years invigorates this historic Harlem street with fresh bursts of energy and color. In 2025, the Grandscale Mural Project will take place on the last Saturday of each summer month: June 28, July 26, and August 30. On each Saturday, artists will gather for a sidewalk painting party that will transform the visual landscape of East Harlem, turning dull green plywood into vibrant street art.

“We started this project six years ago because the neighborhood was tired of seeing the same dark green construction fencing on block after block, year after year,” said Carey King, director of Uptown Grand Central. “Many years later, we’re so grateful to the hundreds of artists who return season after season to bless our corridor with their creativity and their artwork. Our community of artists Uptown has created an outdoor art gallery that is accessible to everyone.” Each participating artist will be allotted between 8 and 16 feet of fencing to paint, and has been given a mission: To create murals to support and uplift the community. Preference is always given to applicants from Harlem, Upper Manhattan and the Bronx, and each artist receives a stipend in thanks for their contribution.

Each painting day this summer will focus on a different block of the East 125 th Street corridor, with the block for this Saturday, June 28, including: 125th Street between Madison & Park avenues, 124th Street between Madison & Park avenues, and Park Avenue between 125th & 124th streets. Each painting day will be a community celebration with music, food from local small businesses, and an invitation to residents to come out and connect with the artists and
with each other. This Saturday will also include a community mural painted by volunteers from the neighborhood under the direction of teaching artist Gera Lozano.

Participating artists on Saturday, June 28, will include Axxhouse/Cape, BC1, BOBBY!, Brittany Maldonaldo, Carmen Paulino, Cephas Bradley, Jr., Christy Ayala, Denise Balcacer, Diegumberrto, Erica Purnell, Fallou Wadje, Fausto Ramos, FlacoWaters, Jaysa Drew It, Kadeem Phillips, Margarita Korol / Urban Pop Artist, Marthalicia Matarrita, Moke, Murj, Shanice Figueroux, Sienide, Social Icon and Scratch, with more to come on later painting dates.

“I am glad to continue to support a project that makes such an important contribution to the neighborhood, and excited to see the artwork that will emerge this season,” said Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala, a project sponsor. “I am also proud to have sponsored legislation that makes painted murals on wooden construction fences possible, so that artists citywide have opportunities to beautify their communities.”

While NYC Department of Buildings regulations in the past have required that construction fences remain dark green in color, the Grandscale Mural Project is working with the City Canvas program of the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) to enable and protect the artwork. Sponsors of the Grandscale Mural Project include Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala (Council District 8), the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, the NYC Department of Small Business Services, the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council and Materials for the Arts.