The Montefiore Hospital Front-Line Workers, community, volunteers, and CITYarts are restoring the 400 ft. long Rolling Bench Mosaic at the General Grant National Memorial in New York City on October 22, 2020. Here are a few of some images from their day, with photo credit to Wendy Nadler.
Led by artist Pedro Silva, the mosaic was created and produced by CITYarts in collaboration with artists, youth and community volunteers over 30 years ago.
The Bench adds a whimsical and uplifting space to an otherwise solemn environment. The project has engaged thousands of community volunteers since its creation. CITYarts hopes to continue this community involvement with a new generation of community families, schools, and volunteers, laying the groundwork for generations to come.
“The day will involve our group of Psychiatry Residents volunteering at the General Grant National Memorial to help clean and restore the Rolling Bench Mosaics. A large portion of our team was deployed as allied professionals to treat patients with Covid-19 from March-May and this is a wonderful way to provide them with a relaxing activity that allows them to continue to give back to the community.”…. Samira Rabbanifar, MD
“It’s important always and especially now to celebrate our frontline essential workers. We want to show our appreciation for them and give them an enjoyable time in the sun with restoration and dance. Creating public art and volunteering with the community. This project has engaged thousands of community volunteers since its creation. We are continuing this community involvement with a new generation of artists, neighborhood families, and volunteers.” CITYarts.
It was decided to revitalize the Mosaic Rolling Bench at General Grant Memorial because it is a staple of the landmark that draws people in. It also brings the community together to creatively collaborate on aproject that will significantly transform not only their communal space but also their quality of life.
This day of restoration will be manned by essential front-line worker-volunteers from the Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx; Sponsored by The Walt Disney Company; West Harlem Development Corporation, and District 7 Councilman Mark Levine; With the support of the National Park Service; Naomi Goldberg, Founder of DEVP dance organization.
A Day of Restoration with Montefiore Hospital Front-Line Workers: Mosaic Rolling Bench at General Grant National Memorial will take place on Thursday, October 22nd from 9:30am to 3:00pm at the Memorial on West 122nd Street and Riverside Park.
Follow CITYarts to Chinatown, where they are restoring a mural in St. James Triangle Park, and check out their gorgeous mural in Harlem’s Alexander Hamilton Playground.