Lipe Art Park was founded in 2007 through a joint collaboration between ®evolution studios and 40 Below to repurpose a vacant former rail yard into a creative community space.
I am proud to be one of the founding members of the Stewards of Lipe Art Park (SLAP), a small group of volunteers dedicated to maintaining and programming the Park. Despite our humble beginnings, lack of resources, and a few hiccups along the way (sorry about the stop sign!), 10 years later we celebrated the grand re-opening of the Park yesterday with a new exhibit, Blinded by the Lipe.
Yesterday's re-opening not only featured four new art installations, including an interactive addition to our permanent collection entitled, "CrossArc," it also gave visitors an opportunity to check out our new furniture and walking trails. These improvements were made possible thanks to the generous support of New York State, SIDA, and a number of local foundations.
As Mayor, I will always support local arts and culture and encourage community members to passionately pursue their creative endeavors throughout the city.