Elmhurst mural honors Queens unity during pandemic

The ‘In It Together’ mural at Elmhurst’s Queens Place Mall was painted by artist Valentino Mikalef. Photo courtesy of Queens Place Mall

By David Brand

A new Elmhurst mural honors Queens’ unity amid the COVID-19 outbreak, with the message “In It Together” emblazoned on a wall outside the Queens Place Mall.

The mural, entitled ‘TOGETHER’ was painted by Queens-based artist Stae Two. The piece, located less than a mile from Elmhurst Hospital, was commissioned by property owner Madison International Realty.

Elmhurst residents have been particularly affected by the public health crisis with the neighborhood accounting for one of the city’s highest illness rates. After a March surge in COVID-positive patients strained Elmhurst Hospital, the medical center came to be known as the “epicenter of the epicenter” of the pandemic — a description used by Mayor Bill de Blasio.