Public art in New York City has always been more than decoration — it is a dialogue, a form of collective memory, and a way to give voice to diverse communities. From the bold murals of the 1970s to today’s large-scale installations, art has helped New Yorkers define their identity. In September 2025, CITYarts, a nonprofit that has empowered young people through collaborative public art for over 36 years, will unveil its most ambitious project yet: the CITYarts Liberty Mural ©2025 at Path of Liberty: That Which Unites US in Freedom Plaza, 686 1st Avenue.
How the CITYarts Liberty Mural at Freedom Plaza reflects America’s history of freedom, unity, and peace
The Liberty Mural is more than a work of art — it’s a monumental statement on what freedom and peace mean in America. Spanning four walls, each nine feet high and forty feet long, the piece combines vibrant colors, natural imagery, and symbolic storytelling. At its core, the mural is about resilience, creativity, and the pursuit of unity, values that are particularly meaningful as the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of independence in 2026.
The lead artist, Ivan Petrovsky, widely recognized by his moniker Mustart, guided more than 35 students from A. Philip Randolph High School in Harlem through the creation process. His background in graffiti and jazz-inspired art brought an energetic, urban aesthetic that resonated with the students’ own perspectives. Petrovsky himself highlighted how the students’ creativity embodied the very essence of freedom, turning walls into canvases of expression rather than barriers of division.
Why the 50 States of Peace initiative could redefine youth engagement and civic identity across America
The Liberty Mural is part of the nationwide 50 States of Peace© initiative, a bold project designed by CITYarts to give young people in every U.S. state an opportunity to create art that speaks to peace, unity, and community. By 2026, the initiative aims to culminate with the installation of a National Peace Wall in Washington, D.C., featuring 250 “Images for Peace” contributed by youth from across the country.
Over its 36-year history, CITYarts has collaborated with more than 100,000 young people and 200,000 volunteers on over 380 public art projects globally. The Liberty Mural builds on this legacy by turning art into a vehicle for civic empowerment, encouraging young people to envision inclusive communities and to see themselves as active agents of change.
This approach reflects a long tradition in New York City, where public murals have been used as tools of cultural expression and social commentary. From community-led projects in the Bronx to landmark works in Harlem, these collaborative creations have transformed walls into spaces of dialogue, remembrance, and resilience. The Liberty Mural joins this lineage, but with a national scope and forward-looking purpose.
How The Soloviev Foundation is using the Path of Liberty project to invest in cultural diplomacy and community building in New York
The unveiling of the Liberty Mural would not be possible without the support of The Soloviev Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Soloviev Group. The foundation, which focuses on fostering peace and cultural understanding, commissioned the mural as part of its broader investment in the Path of Liberty: That Which Unites US project. Located at Freedom Plaza, this space is being designed as a public destination that celebrates the American ideals of liberty and community.
According to Michael Hershman, CEO of The Soloviev Foundation, the project demonstrates the transformative power of art to bridge divides, preserve history, and inspire dialogue. He emphasized that supporting CITYarts aligns with the foundation’s broader mission of promoting inclusivity and unity.
This collaboration also reflects a growing trend in corporate philanthropy, where real estate and development groups play a direct role in shaping public culture. In this case, The Soloviev Group’s support extends beyond brick-and-mortar development to cultivating civic spaces infused with creativity and community participation.
What does the Liberty Mural mean for New York’s cultural landscape as the nation prepares for its 250th anniversary?
Public art projects like the Liberty Mural have historically played an important role in strengthening communities. Murals in New York have long told stories of resilience, migration, and cultural pride, whether in the vibrant depictions of the Harlem Renaissance or the political street art of the Lower East Side. These works do more than beautify neighborhoods; they invite dialogue, spark reflection, and create a shared sense of place.
Beyond New York, CITYarts has brought this model abroad, working with youth in more than 15 countries. These cross-cultural projects underscore the role of art as a form of diplomacy, one that fosters mutual understanding and demonstrates the universality of the human desire for peace and expression.
As the United States approaches its Semiquincentennial in 2026, the Liberty Mural arrives at a time when the nation is wrestling with questions of identity, unity, and justice. Public art projects like this one invite communities to engage with those questions through a lens of creativity and collaboration rather than division.
The National Peace Wall, scheduled for unveiling in Washington, D.C., will stand as the ultimate culmination of this work. By bringing together 250 artworks from young people across the country, the project will create a collective portrait of America’s vision for peace — one that reflects the diverse voices and experiences of its next generation. In this way, CITYarts and The Soloviev Group are not just decorating walls but building bridges between communities, celebrating shared values, and reinforcing the role of art in shaping civic unity.
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