NEW YORK, NY.- The Garment District Alliance held a ceremony to commemorate the official return of ‘Garment District Urban Garden,’ an expanded plazas program that converts two blocks of Broadway into public space and will feature various amenities and activities for New Yorkers and visitors alike to enjoy this summer. The reception also celebrated the unveiling of Ararauna, a 400-foot-long painted mural on Broadway that will create a space for meditation and reflection at the Urban Garden.

“Last year’s ‘Garment District Urban Garden’ was a tremendous hit, and we are thrilled to once again offer pedestrians opportunities to enjoy even more wonderful experiences in our community,” said Barbara A. Blair, president of the Garment District Alliance. “ From free weekly outdoor yoga classes, to the UrbanSpace Garment District food market to the stunning Ararauna mural and beyond, the ‘Garment District Urban Garden’ creates a summertime oasis on Broadway, and we encourage all New Yorkers and visitors alike to enjoy the public space this season.”

‘Garment District Urban Garden’ will provide additional space for the public to experience an array of summer programming in the heart of the Garment District along Broadway through July 27th. The blocks that have been converted into public space are 39th to 41st Streets. The expanded summer plazas program will feature café tables and chairs, planters, birch trees, turf and more, as well as the wildly popular UrbanSpace Garment District food market, the new Ararauna mural, and free yoga classes every Wednesday evening presented by the Garment District Alliance in partnership with Momentum Wellness.

The community joined the artists and the Garment District Alliance for a special reception celebrating the opening of ‘Garment District Urban Garden’ and the dedication of Ararauna. The mural – created by Patricia Cazorla and Nancy Saleme – will occupy the Garment District’s pedestrian plazas on Broadway from 39th to 41st Streets through July 27th.

Cazorla and Saleme, a collaborative duo of visual artists, drew inspiration from their native Venezuela to create the Ararauna walk project. The piece is named for the South American parrots that were mysteriously introduced into the city of Caracas in the 1990’s, and have managed to thrive in the urban center. Using a color palette selected from nature to depict soothing silhouettes of tropical flora and fauna, the piece creates unique a space for meditation and reflection, and brings a message of environmental awareness and peace and hope to the Urban Garden.

The pattern is comprised of two sections, with the first depicting medallion-like designs of feathers and parrots with a nature-inspired color palette. The second depicts stylized ocean waves painted with three shades of blue from the Caribbean palette.

The installation is part of Garment District Art on the Plazas, a year-round public art program made possible through Arterventions, part of the New York City Department of Transportation’s Art Program. The Garment District Alliance and DOT work closely to coordinate the exhibit and install the pieces, which enhance the public plazas and make them even more welcoming to New Yorkers and visitors alike.

“DOT Art is pleased to be a part of the second annual street closure that creates a vibrant pedestrian space in the heart of the city.” said DOT Assistant Commissioner of Urban Design + Art + Wayfinding, Wendy Feuer. “Including public art as part of the closure brings additional reason for people to walk around this area, contributing to the transformation of Broadway as a pedestrian and bicycle friendly street.”