Artist Designs Banners for Ridge Hill
This month, banners displaying the artwork of local artist Alfredo Ponce will be installed on lampposts throughout Ridge Hill Shopping Center in Yonkers. ArtsWestchester, in partnership with the Center, invited artists to submit designs for the commission project. As the open-air center reopens to shoppers, Market Street, where Ponce’s design will appear, will be converted into a pedestrian-only zone so that visitors can enjoy the outdoor environment while social distancing comfortably.
Ponce works primarily in collage, deconstructing print media and transforming it into new representations that are broken down into two distinct elements: colors and shapes. The resulting works are abstract or figurative compositions in a style that Ponce refers to as “Collage-Minimalism.” He explains: “As a longtime resident of Yonkers, I wanted my proposals to highlight the diversity of the City: its various people, cultures and ideas. Two of the designs, Community is Unity I & II are the result of a call for unification during these complicated times…[The third design,] Move, represents an attitude of fun, joyful happiness together in brighter days ahead.”
Ponce’s artwork was selected through a competitive panel process, which included representatives from ArtsWestchester and Ridge Hill.
A version of this article first appeared in the July issue of ArtsNews, ArtsWestchester’s monthly publication. ArtsNewsis distributed throughout Westchester County. A digital copy is also available at artsw.org/artsnews.
About ArtsWestchester
Founded in 1965, ArtsWestchester is New York State’s largest private not-for-profit arts council. The leading funder and advocate for the arts in Westchester and Rockland Counties, ArtsWestchester works to create an equitable, inclusive, vibrant and sustainable community in which the arts are integral to and integrated into every facet of life. Building on its 60-year legacy, ArtsWestchester advances arts and culture by providing grants, bringing artists into schools and community centers, advocating for the arts, and building audiences through diverse marketing initiatives. ArtsWestchester enriches the lives of everyone in the community and operates a multi-use gallery and home for the arts at 31 Mamaroneck Ave. in White Plains, New York.
