Take heed to the chicken on this mural!
Painted: 6/13/2025
Concerning the Mural: This mural, created by artist Kristy McCarthy (aka D. Gale), spotlights a household of Yellow Warblers amongst bursts of native vegetation: area thistle, butterfly milkweed, frequent blue violet, and jap redbud. As a part of the Audubon Mural Project—a public-art initiative drawing consideration to birds which might be weak to extinction from local weather change—NYC Parks’ Artwork within the Parks program and NYC Parks GreenThumb labored with the Nationwide Audubon Society, Gitler &_____ Gallery, and native artists to design murals in neighborhood gardens throughout town. By a collaborative course of between the companions, artist, and backyard group, every mural was designed to function climate-threatened birds in addition to native plants that birds depend on for meals and shelter. By creating vibrant city inexperienced areas, neighborhood gardeners present important help for birds and folks. Discover extra murals from the collaboration here.
The mural was created with Melrose New Generation Community Garden, a stretch of inexperienced house within the Bronx. Artist McCarthy shares that she was closely pregnant whereas engaged on this mural. Although portray was extra of a problem than common, “it was actually heartwarming to have a lot help and encouragement from the neighborhood,” she says—together with from the backyard chief, Michelle, who was additionally pregnant on the time. “It was actually particular to share that have together with her,” McCarthy says.
Concerning the Chook: The Yellow Warbler’s good plumage and candy, vibrant tune are simple to select from woodlands, stream edges, and thickets. One of the crucial extensively distributed warblers, this species builds its cup-shaped nests from the Arctic Circle all the way in which to Mexico.
Its present populations are considered steady, however a altering local weather poses threats for this acquainted warbler. If warming continues at its present web page, the species is projected to lose 41 p.c of its broad summer time vary, in keeping with Audubon’s Survival By Degrees report. Taking motion to restrict warming might help Yellow Warblers proceed to thrive throughout broader swaths of habitat. In the meantime, sustaining patches of inexperienced house like neighborhood gardens, and filling them with native vegetation, might help make sure the birds have the locations they should relaxation and gas up on tasty bugs.
Concerning the Artist: Kristy McCarthy, who paints below the identify D. Gale, is knowledgeable muralist, educating artist, and neighborhood organizer based mostly in East Harlem. She makes use of artwork as a strong device to construct neighborhood, increase consciousness about social and environmental justice points, and heal collective trauma. As a trauma-informed educating artist, she has led numerous collaborative mural tasks with youth, seniors, and adults residing with psychological well being situations, partnering with NGOs and establishments equivalent to Groundswell, Thrive Collective, and the New York Division of Well being. She is a founding member of the Harlem Artwork Collective and co-producer of Fiesta de Colores, a socially engaged artwork competition that takes place yearly in Ecuador. She is presently working in the direction of her PhD in Environmental Psychology, researching the political ecology of murals.
McCarthy has beforehand painted works for the Audubon Mural Undertaking on storefront gates in Hamilton Heights. For her backyard mural, she says she was drawn to the Yellow Warbler due to its vibrant shade and exquisite tune. “I hope this mural brings individuals pleasure and a way of awe at the great thing about nature,” the artist says. “My hope is for the mural to brighten individuals’s day and to lift consciousness in regards to the endangerment of those birds.”
