48 THE QUEENS COURIER • BUZZ • OCTOBER 31, 2019 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
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Art by Rob Anderson, Federal Realty Investment Trust (FRIT)
New murals unveiled in Fresh Meadows shopping center
BY JENNA BAGCAL
jbagcal@qns.com
For the second year in a row, a Queens
artist will grace Fresh Meadows with his
whimsical artwork.
On Oct. 28, Federal Realty Investment
Trust (FRIT) unveiled new murals by
visual artist Rob Anderson, who created
the “Kitizens of Fresh Meadows” in 2018.
His murals entitled “Shared Spaces” and
“Greetings from Fresh Meadows” are an
extension of his partnership with FRIT,
who work to support the local artistic
community while enhancing the surrounding
environment.
“Federal Realty has a strong commitment
to promoting local artists and
the communities where we have properties,”
said Matt Ehrie, vice president
and regional portfolio manager for FRIT.
“Our ongoing relationship with Rob
Anderson continues to evolve and bring
new art to Fresh Meadows for our shoppers
to discover.”
Th e large, colorful murals reside at the
FRIT-owned Fresh Meadows Place, a
neighborhood hub for shopping, dining
and entertainment.
“Shared Spaces” are two 11-by-11 foot
mural located in the heart of the outdoor
public square. Anderson’s piece depicts
dozens of colorful fi gures at work and
play. One of the panels shows a kitchen
scene wherein the people are preparing
food and drink that is being served on
the next panel. Th e guests enjoy food and
shopping, mirroring the activities at Fresh
Meadows Place.
According to the artist, he chose to
paint each fi gure in a unique color scheme
to celebrate Queens’ diversity and reputation
as “the most diverse borough in the
world.”
Anderson’s second piece, “Greetings
from Fresh Meadows,” is a 20-by-10 foot
mural on 188th Street. He drew inspiration
for the mural from retro large letter
postcards and contemporary pop art
while paying homage to Queens-centric
landmarks.
At the top are the piece’s title words
written in cursive, followed by depictions
of the Flushing Meadows Observation
Towers, the World’s Fair, Unisphere and
Citi Field within each of the letters of the
word “Queens.” At the bottom, Anderson
illustrated recognizable portions of Fresh
Meadows Place fl anked by painted residential
dwellings and the Sunnyside 7
train overpass.
“Art is as important to the city as the
city is important to art,” Anderson said.
“I greatly appreciate the opportunity to
work with Federal Realty to create new
murals at Fresh Meadows Place and connect
with the local community while I’m
painting.”
Several new businesses recently opened
at the Fresh Meadows shopping center,
including Blaze Pizza across from “Shared
Spaces” and Pokeworks across from his
fi rst mural “Kitizens of Fresh Meadows.”
Last November, FRIT unveiled
Anderson’s “Kitizens of Fresh Meadows”
which depicts everyday people as cats. Th e
artist has also collaborated with brands
and organizations like Steve Madden,
“Shared Spaces” mural
Dr. Martens, National Council for
Jewish Women and St. Mary’s Children’s
Hospital.
“Welcome to Queens” mural
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