We are raising awareness and funds to restore this mural. Visit website for more info on how you can help. Mathews-Palmer Playground, located between 45th/46th street and 9th/10th Avenue in NYC's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood, has a hidden treasure that needs our attention. The historic mural, "Against Domestic Colonialism" painted by artist Arnold Belkin in 1973 is in danger of being lost for good.
This mural is the last remaining mural of Belkin's in the U.S. Due to the years of weather damage and neglect the wall surface is failing. Many patches have occurred over the year only to damage the mural further. Artist / Muralist Denise Gieseke Penizzotto with the 45th/46th street Community Mural Committee are raising attention and funds to save the mural. The first goal, the resurfacing of the wall, has been met with the help of the community and plans to be resurfaced this fall of 2016. Our second phase goal is to raise the funds to recreate the mural. We have the good fortune to have Golden Artist Colors, Inc who has donated all the paint and is currently in the process of custom mixing all the paint colors needed for an accurate color recreation of "Against Domestic Colonialism". the mural was painted at a time when NYC was in a tumultuous state. 1972-3 were difficult years for the community and the city. Arnold Belkin gathered his community together to send a message "We the People Demand Control of our Communities". This message rings as true today as it did in the 70s as we see loss of homes and livelihoods to many of our underserved communities. Please visit our website, our crowdrise site and come to our park to help raise awareness to saving this important historical piece!
