A local organization has recently taken steps to help beautify Queens. The Village Art Initiative is a non-profit organization whose aim is to help beautify the community and bring local shoppers back to main streets.
“The initiative’s purpose is to help empower individuals by giving them the opportunity to participate in an organization designed to beautify their community,” said Lou Cattaruzza, founder of the Village Art Initiative. “We allow communities to give while getting something back.”
The organization, which currently features roughly 20 artists, held a showing at Il Vesuvio pizzeria on June 18, in which the patrons were encouraged to vote for their favorite paintings. First prize went to Isabella Genovese Mastrangelo for her painting entitled “Sunset.”
“I’ve seen many changes in my community over the years,” Cattaruzza continued. “We were once a community who shopped at local businesses, but that has not been the case in recent years. These art galleries we put up are designed to change that by bringing eyeballs back to local areas, and they also help beautify our neighborhood.”
The initiative has various projects in the works, including a street gallery, designed to showcase works by local artists and promote the creation of new pieces by using the street as a canvas. “Much of this is on the blackboard as of now,” said Cattaruzza. “But we’re always looking for innovative ideas that we can implement to help better our community, as well as new talent. I’d encourage anyone with an interest in art to look into our organization.”
For more information about the Village Art Initiative, visit Villageartist.org or call 718-281-0231.
