Spring 2025 Art in the Plazas Unveiling
Artwork by first-year Cooper Union Student featured at Astor Place Plaza as part of the Village Alliance’s Art in Plazas Program.
First-year Cooper Union Student Wins Student Art Competition in Astor Place
Artwork by First-Year Cooper Union Student Featured at Astor Place Plaza as Part of the Village Alliance’s Art in Plazas Program. The installation is the culmination of the Village Alliance’s inaugural student art competition for students and recent graduates of Manhattan-based higher education art programs.
Juliana Woods, winner of the art competition, with her artwork, “Teddy”
New York, NY – The Village Alliance has installed new artwork by Juliana Woods, a first-year student in The Cooper Union School of Art. The installation is the culminating event of the inaugural Student Art Competition, a new element of the Village Alliance’s Art in Plazas program.
This spring, the Village Alliance invited students and recent graduates from Manhattan-based higher education art programs to submit designs to wrap the exterior of four utility boxes across Astor Place’s North and South Plazas. The winning design by Juliana Woods features four vivid works—Teddy, Sweetest Fruit, Reunion, and Can We Stay the Same?—each accompanied by artist commentary.
The Student Art Competition was launched following the success of the Village Alliance’s first public art initiative in fall 2024, which showcased work by older adult artists in partnership with Greenwich House’s Older Adult Network.
“Sweetest Fruit” by Juliana Woods
Earlier this spring, the Art in Plazas program also marked National Poetry Month by printing poems by Greenwich Village poets on tables at Ruth Wittenberg Triangle Park on Sixth Ave between Greenwich Ave. and Christopher St., in collaboration with the Poetry Society of America.
From Left to Right: Juliana Woods, winner of the student art competition; Yuri Masnyj, Assistant Dean at The Cooper Union School of Art; Adriana Farmiga, Dean at The Cooper Union School of Art; Scott Hobbs, Executive Director of the Village Alliance BID; Malcom King, Interim President of The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art.
Greenwich Village has long inspired artists and creatives—visionaries such as Jackson Pollock, Diane Arbus, Bob Dylan, and Lorraine Hansberry. This homegrown art competition celebrates that ongoing legacy by showcasing new talent, enriching public space, and reinforcing the neighborhood’s identity as a historic cradle of creativity.
Mathias Parker, a freshman at the New School’s Parsons School of Design and native New Yorker, received an honorary mention for his exceptional submission to the competition.
Student Juliana Woods will receive a $400 prize and her work will be viewed by thousands of daily visitors in Astor Place throughout the summer and early fall.
“Greenwich Village has always been a magnet for creative expression, and our goal with the Art in Plazas program is to reflect that spirit in the public realm. By showcasing student artists like Juliana Woods, we’re not only beautifying our streets but also nurturing the next generation of talent and reinforcing the Village’s identity as a place where art and community intersect.” said Scott Hobbs, Executive Director of the Village Alliance.
Artwork by Mathias Parker
“Public art is the heartbeat of New York, and Juliana Woods’ vibrant designs will bring fresh energy to Astor Place. The Student Art Competition not only honors the neighborhood’s legacy as a wellspring for creativity but also invests in the next generation of artists. I’m thrilled to see young talents like Juliana Woods celebrated in such a dynamic way – transforming everyday spaces into sources of inspiration. Congratulations to Juliana Woods and the Village Alliance for fostering art that connects us all!” said New York State Senator Brian Kavanagh, who represents the Village.
“Congratulations to Juliana Woods for winning the inaugural Student Art Competition and having her work displayed in Astor Place. Art is essential to New York City, and public art projects must support emerging artists while enlivening our communities and making our neighborhoods feel safer and more welcoming. I commend the Village Alliance for their commitment to improving the public realm and supporting the rich artistic history of Greenwich Village,” said Council Member Carlina Rivera (D-02), Chair of the Committee on Cultural Affairs and Libraries.
“Can We Stay the Same?” by Juliana Woods
“The Village Alliance Arts in Plazas program embodies the social importance of universal access to arts and culture in public life, and the Student Art Competition offers an invaluable opportunity for young artists to engage directly with the public,” said Adriana Farmiga, Dean at The Cooper Union School of Art. “Cooper Union is proud to see Juliana’s work recognized in the context of this inaugural competition.”
“As a BID, the Village Alliance has a pulse on the community and understands the types of investments that can help enhance the vibrancy of a city streetscape and neighborhood. The Art in Plazas program helps to enliven our shared spaces and has the unique ability to make an area feel welcome and inspire interaction and public participation” said Kyle Kimball, Vice President of Government Relations and Community Engagement for New York University and member of the selection committee. “It was an honor to serve on the selection committee and review a number of great proposals. Congratulations to Julianna Woods for her creativity, feasibility, and alignment with the spirit of the plaza and surrounding community.”
About Village Alliance
The Village Alliance supports clean, safe, and vibrant commercial corridors within our District boundaries. We do this by providing additional sanitation and safety services, advocating for public space improvements, and implementing creative marketing and community-building to attract and retain local business. For more information, visit www.greenwichvillage.nyc.
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