Corona kids beautify barren walls with help from nonprofit

Student volunteers from Publicolor Paint Club beautify walls in Corona. Photo courtesy of Publicolor.

By Sheik Floradewan

Gray and graffitied walls once sat across from the Corona Academy of Arts and Sciences — that is, until the Publicolor Paint Club got to them.

Publicolor is a nonprofit youth development program with a goal of using art and design to engage struggling low-income students in their education. The organization partnered with the 110th Precinct and Councilmember Francisco Moya’s office to paint a portion of the Long Island Rail Road wall that runs along 44th Avenue in Corona.

“The LIRR is supportive of this effort, and we are delighted to partner with them to pursue our mutual goal of beautify the infrastructure and neighborhoods,” said a spokesperson for the LIRR.

The purpose of the project is to help reduce the amount of graffiti and bring a sense of warmth and energy to the community, Publicolor said.

Funding for the project came from the Cultural After School Adventures Program, or CASA Grant, which helped Publicolor link with Corona Academy of Arts and Sciences and Councilmember Moya. The amount of funding was not disclosed.

The project started on June 2 and will continue every Saturday until its completion date on June 22.

“When the project is finished the wall will brighten up the community,” said a spokesperson for Publicolor. “Last Saturday during painting, community residents who were passing by all said they were excited for the change.”

Local residents say they welcome the change.

“I lived in Corona my whole life and I take the LIRR at Mets-Willets Point almost every day to and from school and work. There’s a lot of graffiti around the neighborhood so it’s nice that this organization is doing this project and beautifying up the place,” said Queens resident Fariha Chowdhury.