BY JASON COHEN
In September 2020 Fordham
Professor Mark Naison formed
the Fordham Bronx Advocates
with a goal of getting students
involved with the surrounding
neighborhood.
Naison teamed up with Lisa
Preti, who works at the college
and they eventually decided
their fi rst project would be a
community mural. In scouting
a location for the artwork, Preti
found the perfect place, the
Madison Square Boys and Girls
Club, 543 E 189 Street.
The Boys and Girls Club was
eager to participate in the initiative.
Next, Preti contacted
Bronx artist/activist/small
business owner Lovie Pignata,
who designed and painted
the mural with Fordham students,
Boys and Girls Club children
and Senator Alessandra
Biaggi.
On May 17, the mural, which
depicts fruits and vegetables,
was unveiled for the public.
“This is the fi rst of what we
hope will be many collaborations
between Fordham staff,
students and community leaders
in the Bronx,” Naison said.
“This is a model for what we
see ourselves doing.”
The mural is symbolic of
food insecurities people faced
during the pandemic and the
food pantries the Boy and Girls
Club held during the past year.
Preti praised the students
for their hard work and
thanked the Boys and Girls
Club for letting Fordham use
its space.
Yolanda Roberson, director
of the Clubhouse at the
MS 180 students at the 2019 talent show that benefi ts Smile Train. Photos courtesy of Smile Train
Madison Square Boys and
Girls Club, said the artwork
is special. She went to the
club as a child and understands
the impact the facility
can have on the youth.
“We’ve never had anything
like this,” she stated.
“It brings a lot of color. One
of our priorities is a healthy
lifestyle, so this is right on
target with what we’re trying
to showcase our kids.”
Among those who participated
was Fordham student
Isabella Iazzetta. Iazzetta,
who doesn’t describe herself
as artistic, thought it would
be a good way to give back to
the community.
“I enjoyed doing it and it
was really fun and relaxing,”she said.
The next phase of the project
will entail creation and maintenance
of a community garden
on the same property.
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, M BTR AY 21-27, 2021 37
MS 180 hosts 11th
annual talent
show to benefi t
Smile Train
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