Street Art for Mankind (SAM) is a nonprofit organization which strongly believes in the ability of art to trigger social change. SAM acts as amplifiers of the fight against child trafficking through street art. With the support of 50+ prominent international street artists, SAM produces exhibitions, live performances and murals around the world to bring awareness and raise funds to stop child trafficking.
SAM has curated a very special line up of street artists to gather in downtown New Rochelle to create a first series of 8 spectacular murals. With their unique artistic talent and sensitivity, they will color NRNY walls to pay tribute to the history and values that shape the New Rochelle community, invoking a flavorful modern-day melting pot.
SAM worked in collaboration with New Rochelle Council on the Arts to conceptualize themes for the murals. These include artistic creativity; gender equality, harmony between urban life and nature, and the need for ‘real life’ human connection in a world where social media and technology are omnipresent.
The NRNY murals will also celebrate the cultural diversity that unites New Rochelleans, and highlight sustainability efforts made by this forward thinking city.
The background of the performing street artists also focuses on diversity in gender, styles and nationalities. Featuring: AEC (UKR), DanK (GBR), Elle (USA & AUS), JDL (NLD), Loic Ercolessi (USA & FRA), Lula Goce (SPA), Mr Cenz (GBR) and Victor Ash (DEN, FRA and POR).
“The NRNY murals are big, bold, creative and fun. Diverse in style yet complementary, all together they testify of the unique personality of New Rochelle” commented Audrey and Thibault Decker, co-founders of SAM.
The NRNY murals will be linked by a free, downloadable app, “Behind the Wall”, that combines augmented reality content and audio-guide features, making the murals truly interactive. They join SAM’s Midtown, Larchmont and Mamaroneck murals, forming together a continuous street art belt starting at Grand Central and continuing along the Sound Shore.
Mayor Noam Bramson said, “New Rochelle is thrilled to work with Street Art for Mankind to further enliven our downtown streetscape. These murals bring beauty and creative energy to previously blank spaces, as part of our comprehensive commitment to a culturally vibrant city center.”
SAM’s work has been featured in stories on CNN, BBC, WPIX 11, NBC New York and Time Out.
SAUS is proud to support and celebrate SAM.
Images by Just A Spectator (benstudio.smugmug.com)
