On 48th Street in New York City, ArtLifting collaborated with Verizon to transform a highly visible workplace exterior into a vibrant, story-driven mural installation. The goal was to reflect Verizon’s values — social responsibility, integrity, performance excellence, and accountability — while driving meaningful impact through intentional investment in local artists, businesses, and communities.

The project prioritized community connection and representation, with all selected works created by New York–based female artists with disabilities, reinforcing both local investment and inclusive representation. The final installation features three large-scale, hand-painted murals that translate ArtLifting artworks into immersive public art experiences. 

The south wall combines Antipode 1 and Antipode 2 by Laural Hartman, and the north wall showcases Bay Bridge. Across these works, layered architectural references and intricate visual patterns create a sense of movement and discovery that mirrors the energy of city life and Laural’s visual experience as a deaf person.

“Through architectural details, maps, and fragments of information gathered over time, I’ve created a personal visual archive… The mural invites viewers to engage not just with the artwork, but with their own memories and perspectives of the city — turning it into a conversation between the art and the audience.”

- Laural Hartman, ArtLifting artist

On the west wall, Aimee Hofmann’s Sunglasses at Night 3 and Sunglasses at Night 5 come together in a bold, expressive composition. The interplay of texture, contrast, and gesture introduces a dynamic rhythm that complements the surrounding materials while standing confidently on its own. The murals highlight Aimee’s innovative practice of incorporating wheelchair marks into her paintings.

“These artworks express a combination of grit and grace… varying paint consistencies, tools — even a wheelchair wheel — create a juxtaposition of rawness and refined form within each piece.”

- Aimee Hofmann, ArtLifting artist

To bring these works to life at scale, ArtLifting partnered with Mural Painters Inc., a New York City–based, woman-owned business specializing in large-scale mural execution. Their team of experienced local muralists translated each artwork with precision, preserving the integrity of the original artwork while enhancing its impact in a public setting. This partnership creates access to ArtLifting artists who require assistance in executing a large-scale site-specific mural.

This collaboration exemplifies how public art can function as a strategic placemaking tool. Rather than serving as decoration, the murals establish a strong sense of identity in the neighborhood, reinforce Verizon’s commitment to inclusive business practices, and create a memorable visual landmark within the urban landscape. By integrating art early in the design process, the project elevates both cultural and economic value — enhancing everyone’s experience of the space while contributing to long-term brand visibility.

Through this initiative, ArtLifting advances access to the art market by connecting artists with disabilities to a major corporate client, ensuring that investment directly supports artists, diverse businesses, and the broader community.

Images

1. Banner: Laural Hartman stands with her mural of Antipode 1. Sunlight casts strong shadows on the wall and sidewalk.

2. A building corner with a red “verizon” sign in lowercase letters on a dark gray surface. Below, Antipode 1 by Laural Hartman surrounds a doorway.

3. Aimee Hofmann smiles in front of her mural featuring her artworks Sunglasses at Night 3 and Sunglasses at Night 5.

4. A wider view of Laural Hartman's mural, Bay Bridge, with red and white polka dots on the left and blue and cream abstract shapes on the right. A gray door sits slightly left of center.

5. A long wall covered in Aimee Hofmann’s Sunglasses at Night 3 and Sunglasses at Night 5, a black, white, and gray mural with sweeping brush strokes and circular patterns. Thin yellow lines and shapes run across the design. The sidewalk stretches along the wall.

6. A gray door centered in a wall covered with Laural Hartman's Antipode 2, an abstract blue, white, and black artwork. The mural includes dots, lines, and layered shapes.