![]() ![]() “This is my full-time job right now, but because of the rules of the park my income has dropped significantly,” says Allen. Many street art vendors have tried turning to galleries to display and sell their work, but are often turned away because they don’t have a large following. According to, five vendors are allowed to sell on the High Line, nine in Battery Park and 49 in high-traffic areas of Central Park, reducing by more than 75 percent the number of vendors permitted. Union Square is not the only park with these rules. They put us on top of each other, they turn the sprinklers on and get us all wet-it’s crazy.” “They basically made these spots because they don’t want us here at all. “It is strange because the spots they are giving us we would never be in,” says Joel Kaye, who has been selling ceramic photo tiles of popular New York City landmarks for seven years. A ceramic photo tile mural by street art vendor Joel Kaye. This doesn’t make matters any better for street art vendors forced to set up against the crowded curb. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays an additional 40 vendors are allowed to sell in Union Square, when the Farmers Market isn’t running. These spots are on the outer perimeter of sidewalks and are based on a first-come-first-served basis. “We always went in the line down here, and we weren’t making obstruction like the Farmers Market with their big two-ton trucks over there.”Īccording to, the designated spots for Union Square art vendors are on the west side and east side of the park from 14th Street to 15th Street. “We organize ourselves pretty well,” says Spinelli. We are still fighting them in court and are trying to bring that energy back.”Īccording to, the restrictions were needed to make way for corporate vendors and commercial interests, as well as a way to reduce congestion on pathways and sidewalks. Now they are really putting the nail in the coffin. People came to Union Square for that energy and to buy art. “A couple of years ago we had a lot of energy here. “The city is really shutting down the artists here,” says Vincent Spinelli, who sells abstract, architecture, nude and fashion photographs. Despite protests by more than 90 street artists, the rules took effect in July 2010. Then, in 2010, the Parks Department proposed limits on the number of vendors in the park. Street art vendors have helped create this environment, adding color with paintings, photography and other works of art. Two years after the limits took effect, some artists continue to fight its impact.įor more than 170 years, city residents and tourists have walked through Union Square Park, taking in the stimulating atmosphere that was once home to political protests and festive celebrations. Then the new rules were enforced, and “it is a lot harder to make a living doing this because of the rules,” he says. “In the past, we used to be able to set up all throughout the park,” says Allen, who has been selling art on the street for six years. View Interactive Map of New York Street Artists. Once settled, Allen watches for hours as people walk to and from his quirky stand he hopes to sells as many pieces of art as he used to before the Parks Department limited the number of street artists in Union Square. and joins a community of street artists, each vying to secure 1 of 18 selling spots. ![]() As he boards the Manhattan-bound G train from Classon Avenue in Brooklyn, he pushes a cart filled with framed photographs and whiteout drawings of sock puppets, each with its own personality and identity.Īllen reaches Union Square about 5 a.m. Marty Allen, who sells art on the streets, wakes up at 4 a.m. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |