Portraits of Hope "Soaring Dreams Chelsea Piers Project"

Photo: David Margolis

 

Portraits of Hope developed a public art and civic project for New York City youth from

schools, pediatric care facilities, and after-school programs that culminated in a 5-month

exhibition of 25,000 sq. ft. of artwork for Chelsea Piers, one of the largest and most frequented

social, recreational, and sports facilities in the U.S. Located on the Hudson River, Chelsea

Piers includes an indoor ice skating rink, a driving range, bowling alley, athletic club, indoor

and outdoor sports areas, banquet halls, and boat docks. Portraits of Hope’s 5-month visual

transformation of Chelsea Piers included sections fronting the Westside Highway, the Peer Park

grounds, the Modern History Wall area, and an 8,000 sq. ft. historical and fully operational

tugboat that docked at the Piers. Children in NYC hospitals participated in creative therapy

sessions in which they painted colorful shapes which engulfed the exterior of the tugboat

navigated by Captain Kevin. The educational sessions focused on the role of teamwork in

advancing civic and individual goals and issues. The public art creations allowed NYC students

to experience a positive, hands-on, collaborative opportunity. www.portraitsofhope.org

 

Soaring Dreams Chelsea Piers Project – A Portraits of Hope Project

Portraits of Hope's Chelsea Piers public art and civic initiative

Conceived and developed by Ed Massey and Bernie Massey, Founders of Portraits of Hope

 

More than 25,000-square-feet of public art was created

for the Chelsea Piers project

 

An 8,000 square foot canvas of colorful shapes, hand-painted

by the kids, transformed a fully operational tugboat. The tugboat

with its 449 brightly colored shapes could easily be spotted

sailing around Manhattan or when docked at Pier 62

 

The art for Pier Park was highlighted by sweeping views of the

Statue of Liberty, the Hudson River, and when docked –

Captain Kevin’s “peacocked” tugboat

 

Chelsea Piers has 4 million visitors annually

 

The public art and civic project involved children in hospitals,

schools and after-school programs in NYC

 

In connection with the project, creative therapy sessions

were held for hospitalized children and persons

with disabilities and illnesses; including cancer, orthopedic

ailments, burn trauma, brain and neck injuries, heart issues,

and other serious conditions

 

Project-based learning was central to the project: including

interdisciplinary contemporary issues and civic education

and leadership sessions for schools, grades 2 -12

 

Special thank you to ACC Capital, Hudson River Park Trust, Chelsea Piers, Captain Kevin

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