Union Square Vacant Storefronts Are Getting An Artistic Makeover

UNION SQUARE, NY — A collection of vacant storefronts within Union Square are about to get a transformation as a public art project is coming to the area in April.

The project is called Rebound-NYC, and its goal is to repurpose and revitalize vacant storefronts as cultural pop-ups throughout New York City. The initiative kicks off near Bryant Park on Thursday, before coming to Union Square on April 15 for a 12-day run in the neighborhood.

The project is being done by EcoArt Project, a nonprofit that harnesses the "creativity and the power of artistic expression" to shine a light on issues of climate change.

EcoArt Project hopes that the vacant storefront installations will "revitalize the streets of the city with exciting exhibitions that stimulate conversations on our environment and climate change through work by internationally-recognized visual artists and designers," according to a news release.

The art will be shown in Union Square from April 15 to 27 at 7 East 14th Street, which coincides with Earth Day on April 22.

The storefront exhibition will feature new pieces by artists Cicely Carew, Peter Gerakaris, Stephen Mallon, Sam Nester, and Hara Woltz, whose works "visualize the fragility of our planet and imagine sustainable futures."

Over 330 artists applied to take part in the exhibition.

"We're thrilled to be able to contribute to the regeneration of the city's street life and cultural infrastructure with our pop-up exhibitions during this critical time of recovery," said EcoArt Project founder and Executive Director Pino Fortunato, in a news release. "Offering experiences of art and design with environmental perspectives, the pop-ups are safe spaces to gather and reflect on the beauty of our planet and the impact of climate change."

Vacant storefronts in Union Square aren't the only ones in Lower Manhattan getting a new design on April 15.

A collection of vacant storefronts in the West Village are also getting a whole new look as the successful public art initiative Art On The Ave is moving from its Upper West Side origins to the Lower Manhattan neighborhood.

Read More: Art Is Coming To Vacant Storefront Windows In The West Village