SUNY Purchase Student Creates Mural For Cross County Center

YONKERS, NY — A new art mural, created by a SUNY Purchase college student, will welcome shoppers to the Cross County Center.

The 21-foot-by-14-foot public art project was created by SUNY Purchase student Stella Nova Picuri of the Class of 2021 as part of its Community Design Class.

The design class, which is within the Graphic Design department, is meant to simulate a professional studio environment, where students get briefs, work through feedback and maintain client relationships.

Liz Pollack, senior marketing manager at Cross County Center, said the shopping center was thrilled to work with the SUNY Purchase to create the larger-than-life mural that will welcome customers at the main entrance between Zara and Shake Shack.

"We hope it will become a must-stop photo background for all visitors,” she said.

Pollack first discussed the art project with Christopher Robbins, the director of the School of Art and Design, and Benjamin Santiago, SUNY Purchase assistant professor of graphic design, in September and presented what the iconic shopping center was looking to create.

“We wanted to install a vibrant statement piece that represents our brand and new logo, recently launched this fall,” she said.

Picuri's design was one of 11 pieces of art submitted for review. She is from Stone Ridge, in Ulster County, and is in her senior year studying graphic design at SUNY Purchase College. She said she is interested in an interdisciplinary approach to design and believes all things are worth examining.

Picuri said she has a passion for abstraction and was inspired to use a warping tool to create a colorful, engaging artwork for the shopping center.

The installation will be displayed through the spring. “We hope to continue working with SUNY Purchase College as well as other colleges, universities and area artists to create more works of art and engagement opportunities for shoppers and visitors in the future,” said Pollack.