Typically, Harlem's basketball courts are places where you pay attention to who's playing and how, not what's beneath the players' feet. That's all changed since three neighborhood courts got colorful makeovers over the past year.
Thanks to organizations such as the NY Knicks working with the New York City Parks Department, three different artists were invited to transform the following public courts into something quite eye-catching. Here's where to find them, from south to north:
Alley-Oop by Saya Woolfalk
Marcus Garvey Park, Madison Ave and E 121st St
The colorful mandala by New York artist Says Woolfalk brings an unexpectedly feminine touch to this court on the southern edge of Marcus Garvey Park. Kids from Publicolor, a group that uses design-based programs to help at-risk youth, helped paint the piece. Through May 24, 2020
CommUNITY Cities by Laura Bohill
St. Nicholas Park, St. Nicholas Ave and W 133rd St
Brooklyn illustrator Laura Bohill combined graphic images of hands, the New York subway and symbols of technology to reveal how the city connects in various ways. Legendary graffiti artists Tats Cru helped bring the idea to reality. Through June 26, 2020
Madsteez x MTN DEW by Madsteez
St. Nicholas Park, St. Nicholas Ave and W 140th St
As part of a collaboration with the city's Parks Department and Mountain Dew, artist and designer Mark Paul Deren, better known as Madsteez, covered the floor of this court with a swirling image of basketball players using his signature bright colors. Through October 18, 2019
