July 5, 2013 By Christian Murray
A number of LaGuardia Community College students have been competing in a contest to produce the most artistic–yet practical map–of Sunnyside.
Fourteen students entered the competition and on July 2nd the best map—and its illustrator—were announced.
The winner was Carmen Zhu, a fine/arts design major, who received $1,000.
Zhu’s map focuses heavily on Sunnyside’s greenery, with a strong emphasis on Sunnyside Gardens. The map starts with greenery on the north side of Queens Boulevard and slowly changes to beige as the streets become more commercial on the southern side of boulevard.
Zhu’s map will be used to publicize the neighborhood to visitors and new residents and will contain a Sunnyside business directory and local advertisements.
The map is expected to be finalized and printed later this summer, and will be distributed to hotels in nearby Long Island City and local real estate offices.
The concept and competition was a joint project by the Sunnyside Shines Business Improvement District, the Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce and LaGuardia Community College.
“Sunnyside’s businesses are some of the best in New York City– and I’m very happy to say that the design of this map is an accurate representation of the beauty, energy, and warmth of the neighborhood,” said Swain Weiner, president of the Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce, in a statement.
