‘New York Proud,’ Public Art Campaign, Launches Pop-Up Exhibition in Queens

On view at Hunters Point South Park, new exhibition follows successful run at Times Square and Downtown Brooklyn 

Citywide campaign highlights the diverse journeys, economic contributions of immigrant New Yorkers

The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) unveiled the latest pop-up photo exhibition of its  “New York Proud” campaign, a public art project celebrating the vibrant and diverse stories of immigrants across New York City. In partnership with Photoville, the Hunters Point Park Conservancy, and the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation the new installation will be on view at Hunters Point South (Center Blvd & 51st Ave), in Queens, until October 16th.  

This campaign brings to life the personal journeys of immigrant New Yorkers through a striking photo series of 25 portraits, now displayed in subway stations and public spaces throughout New York City during the month of September and into October. With each portrait featuring people in or at their workplaces, the campaign emphasizes the integral roles and contributions of immigrants to the city’s cultural and economic landscape. This “New York Proud” campaign  was developed in partnership with The Opportunity Agenda, F.Y. Eye and with portraits taken by Venezuelan documentary photographer Oscar B. Castillo. 

This latest Photoville exhibition in Queens follows two successful pop-ups at Times Square and Downtown Brooklyn. Featured campaign participants include Reggie, a Haitian librarian; Diana, a DJ from Peru; Edwin, a Salvadoran teacher; and Fayjur, a halal vendor from Bangladesh, among many others. 

“New York Proud” is a citywide campaign to uplift and honor the resilience, contributions, and experiences of immigrants who shape the economic, cultural and social fabric of New York City. The portraits offer a curated visual narrative that reveals how immigrants are seamlessly integrated into the fabric of life across the city. We hope this campaign will ignite a citywide conversation about the importance of immigration to the vitality and future of New York City.

“New York Proud” is a project of the New York Immigration Coalition, in partnership with F.Y. Eye and The Opportunity Agenda. This public art campaign would not have been possible without the involvement of all the project participants, photographer Oscar B. Castillo, as well as our partners at Photoville, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, Times Square Alliance, and Two Trees Management Co.

To learn more about campaign participants and how to view the pop-up exhibitions, visit www.immigrantsareny.org.

About the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC):
The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) is an umbrella policy & advocacy organization that represents over 200 immigrant and refugee rights groups throughout New York. The NYIC serves one of the largest and most diverse newcomer populations in the United States. The multi-racial and multi-sector NYIC membership base includes grassroots and nonprofit community organizations, religious and academic institutions, labor unions, as well as legal and socioeconomic justice organizations. The NYIC not only establishes a forum for immigrant groups to voice their concerns but also provides a platform for collective action to drive positive social change. Since its founding in 1987, the NYIC has evolved into a powerful voice of advocacy by spearheading innovative policies, promoting and protecting the rights of immigrant communities, improving newcomer access to services, developing leadership and capacity, expanding civic participation, and mobilizing member groups to respond to the fluctuating needs of immigrant communities.