When asked by MTA to design art for a Rockaway Station, I spent some time sniffing out the area.
First thing I noticed from the A train was an old pier of row houses on stilts.
In the early 20th century, this was a vacation community for the working class.
Clearly, what were once vacation homes are now inhabited year round.
There used to be many piers like this, but now only this one remains.
Sharing a homefront boardwalk created close-knit communities.
1912 Summer homes at Java Street (now Beach 84th Street)
circa 1915. Beach 90th Street, Holland Pier.
The ruins of a pier community.
Foundation of bungalows destroyed by fire.
The brightly colored bungalows inspired my first proposal.
Proposal drawing for panels to be rendered in faceted glass.
This neighborhood has weathered more disasters than any in NYC. Great Storm of 1920, Beach 86th Street
This has bred a spirit of resiliency in the community. Great Fire of June 15, 1922.
November 12, 2001 plane crash
The MTA said, ‘no text’, which suited me fine. I generally use nautical flags in my work instead.
Local bars spell out the neighborhood philosophy: NO SNIVELING.
BE GOOD OR BE GONE
The style of bungalows portrayed in the following hurricane-themed panels.
A reference to the hurricanes and storms that have battered but not defeated the area repeatedly.
Tugboat pulling a recycling barge
I modeled the tugboat from this old NYC tug that sat down the street from my granny’s when I was a kid.
The area is home to many endangered species and the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.
One endangered local resident: the Piping Plover. Nautical flags: Be Good or Be Gone.
Cead Mile Failte. In Irish: 100,000 Welcomes Before You
Faceted Glass in Process
Faceted Glass in Process
October 2011: Finally the panels are installed at Beach 98th Street Playland Station!
Glass installation ace team Dave and Jack.
Glass installation ace team Dave and Jack.
And of course, Project Manager, Kitty Joe Sainte-Marie
Half in, view of the water.
October 2011: Finally the panels are installed at Beach 98th Street Playland Station!
October 2011: Finally the panels are installed at Beach 98th Street Playland Station!
Detail: Tugboat
Detail: Glass Bottles
Detail: Houses on Stilts
100,000 Welcomes Before You
Detail: Channel Marker
Detail: Channel Marker
The endangered Piping Plover
In Water
When asked by MTA to design art for a Rockaway Station, I spent some time sniffing out the area.
First thing I noticed from the A train was an old pier of row houses on stilts.
In the early 20th century, this was a vacation community for the working class.
Clearly, what were once vacation homes are now inhabited year round.
There used to be many piers like this, but now only this one remains.
Sharing a homefront boardwalk created close-knit communities.
1912 Summer homes at Java Street (now Beach 84th Street)
circa 1915. Beach 90th Street, Holland Pier.
The ruins of a pier community.
Foundation of bungalows destroyed by fire.
The brightly colored bungalows inspired my first proposal.
Proposal drawing for panels to be rendered in faceted glass.
This neighborhood has weathered more disasters than any in NYC. Great Storm of 1920, Beach 86th Street
This has bred a spirit of resiliency in the community. Great Fire of June 15, 1922.
November 12, 2001 plane crash
The MTA said, ‘no text’, which suited me fine. I generally use nautical flags in my work instead.
Local bars spell out the neighborhood philosophy: NO SNIVELING.
BE GOOD OR BE GONE
The style of bungalows portrayed in the following hurricane-themed panels.
A reference to the hurricanes and storms that have battered but not defeated the area repeatedly.
Tugboat pulling a recycling barge
I modeled the tugboat from this old NYC tug that sat down the street from my granny’s when I was a kid.
The area is home to many endangered species and the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.
One endangered local resident: the Piping Plover. Nautical flags: Be Good or Be Gone.
Cead Mile Failte. In Irish: 100,000 Welcomes Before You
Faceted Glass in Process
Faceted Glass in Process
October 2011: Finally the panels are installed at Beach 98th Street Playland Station!
Glass installation ace team Dave and Jack.
Glass installation ace team Dave and Jack.
And of course, Project Manager, Kitty Joe Sainte-Marie
Half in, view of the water.
October 2011: Finally the panels are installed at Beach 98th Street Playland Station!
October 2011: Finally the panels are installed at Beach 98th Street Playland Station!
Detail: Tugboat
Detail: Glass Bottles
Detail: Houses on Stilts
100,000 Welcomes Before You
Detail: Channel Marker
Detail: Channel Marker
The endangered Piping Plover
In Water