QUEENS — Next stop, MOMA.
A group of Rego Park volunteers has transformed a Long Island Rail Road underpass into an art space, displaying photos of the neighborhood taken by residents, some as young as 5.
The space, on 63rd Drive, had once featured a mural that said 'REal GOod,' designed to recognize the Real Good Construction Company, which developed the area in the 1920s and gave the neighborhood its name.
But several years ago the paint began to peel off due to moisture penetrating the underpass walls.
Last September, the Rego Park Green Alliance, a local non-profit, came up with an idea of a new art space that would include a mural and pictures taken by local residents, including kids as young as 5, said Yvonne Shortt, the executive director of the group.
After collecting about $10,000 from local business owners, City Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz and through grants, the group organized a series of meetups with locals to discuss the project and to photograph the neighborhood. Several resident from other Queens neighborhoods joined them as well, Shortt said.
"The photographs archived our community and they are also a starting point to have a conversation about things we like and things we would like to see changed in our neighborhood," she said.
Earlier this year, the group removed the old mural and painted the new one, designed by artist Mayuko Fujino, featuring trees and flowers.
It took roughly 70 volunteers to complete the entire project, Shortt said.
Out of 300 photos taken during the project, several — showing local streets, a school bus and an old fire alarm — are now on display at the new art space.
They were installed with the help of the LIRR last week, Shortt said. To make sure that the new project will last for at least several years, the pictures are attached to waterproof boards.
Some photos taken for the project have also been posted on the group’s website.
The group is inviting members of the community to an event this Friday, July 11, at 7 p.m. at the underpass on 63rd Drive (between Austin and Alderton streets) to see the project and learn more about the installation.
