Local artists are turning a defaced mural in St. Albans into something positive.
Volunteers painted a colorful mural on the corner of 198th Street and Hollis Avenue last fall to celebrate the rich Hip-Hop culture in the borough. Earlier this week, lead artist Jocelyn Goode-Morgan noticed someone vandalized the mural with gang signs. She and other volunteers have already started working the graffiti into the mural, and they say the vandalism has actually brought the community together.
“Whoever did this, even youth like that who might be misguided, the need is demonstrated that art attracts and that art heals and that we need it,” Morgan said.
“It was not a setback by the person who did what they did, on the mural to deface it,” added community activist Jamal Wilkerson.” “It was actually more of a set up to actually bring the community together to keep beautifying the community.”
Artists will finish covering up the graffiti this weekend.