Best Street Art in NYC To Run By: Welling Court Mural Project

Oct 19

By Claire Leaden

“As I jogged along and the gray, concrete paths suddenly opened up into bright colors and graphics, I felt like I stumbled upon a secret world, my own outdoor museum.”

If you run on a regular route in your neighborhood, the same sites that once peaked your interest and stimulated your mind (one of the reasons I prefer running outside instead of in a gym on a stagnant treadmill) start to blur into the same…

That’s why street art can be so motivating — vibrant colors and interesting images that inspire while you exercise, and can even provide the opportunity to learn about local art and artists, part of Runstreet’s mission.

This is what happened to me when I first discovered the Welling Court Mural Project in my home neighborhood of Astoria, Queens. As I jogged along and the gray, concrete paths suddenly opened up into bright colors and graphics, I felt like I stumbled upon a secret world, my own outdoor museum.

The Welling Court Mural Project started after a chance meeting of Astoria locals Jonathan and Josh Ellis (who lived in the Welling Court community, encompassing the area around the Welling Court side streets between Vernon Blvd, 30th Ave and 12th St in Astoria, Queens) at the Bushwick Open Air Gallery by Ad Hoc in 2009. They were so inspired that they acquired permission to paint the warehouse walls in their own neighborhood, and asked Ad Hoc to work their magic in Queens.

Over 40 murals were painted in May 2010, and since then the exhibit has expanded to over 100 works by artists from around the corner and around the world. This is its tenth year, and it has always been free and open to the public 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. To get there by public transportation, take the N or W train to 30th Ave, then go west down 30th Ave to 12th St. by a) walking 10-15 minutes or; b) taking the Q18 Bus. For driving, the address is: 11-98 Welling Court, Astoria, New York, 11102.

Artists past and present include: Abe Lincoln, Jr., Free Humanity, Al Diaz, Beau Stanton, Christopher Cardinale, Chris RWK, Chris Soria, CRASH, Crisp, D Gale, Dan Witz, and more.

Each year, new and returning artists add and update to the murals, and this year over 99 percent of the walls are new. I’ve highlighted this summer’s additions with photos and artist links so can you learn more about their work.

Claire Leaden is a writer and runner based in Queens, NYC with bylines in am NewYork and NPR Food.

Resources: Welling Court Mural Project