Murals featured in new publication:
In 2009 authors Janet Braun-Reinitz & Jane Weissman published  “ON THE WALL: Four Decades of Community Murals in NYC” published by University Press of Mississippi. This high quality documentation, gathers a full range of photos with different community mural styles as well as a muralography with the name, dates and sponsorships of the artists who made them during the past forty years. This unique and long awaited book is pertinent to New York’s community mural history and the communities that were impacted by them. It arrived at a time when most of the murals no longer exist. Among those selected here are those made under the leadership of Maria Dominguez; “Nuestro Barrio” (1998), “Bronx Allegory”  (2007) and along with Artmakers “La Lucha Continua”(1998).  

Palmas Restaurant located in 230 Fifth Avenue in Brooklyn’s Park Slope area now displays work by Dominguez. The owners commissioned the artist to add a spice of an eclectic tropical scene to their new space in 2009. In the Cabana Bar a stylized Tsunami like wave mural adds an elegant backdrop to the small and intimate area. While in main room four still palms cast a mellow mood to the area. Both the wave and the palms add a stylish touch to this chic restaurant and are the artist second commercial murals.

Amber Charter School Mural
 
During the summer of 2008 students, staff and community came together with the direction of the artist to design and execute this mural. It was generously funded by the Yum! Corporation and took four weeks to complete from start to finish. An addition to the dozen colorful murals of East Harlem The Amber mural’s concept was focused on educating students and community on saving and respecting life on our rich green planet. The school itself was named after the fossilized resin of trees which time converted to honey colored gems.

Size: 12’ X 12’
Medium: Arylic on Brick
Year: 2008

slide show - detail views of "Alegra Nocturna"

"Alegria Nocturna"     mural — 2008

Alegria Nocturna, which translates in English to Evening Joys, was created and set in the center of the main dining area of Barrio, a new up-scale Mexican cuisine restaurant in Brooklyn’s Park Slope. This elegant arch shaped (3' x 15') piece is the artists' latest accomplishment and is the highlight of the small cozy space. The restaurant located on 7th Avenue corner 3rd Street marks the artist first commercial mural.

The mural depicts an imaginary small town in Mexico in the midst of an evening celebration — where musicians play in the street while dancers enjoy the evening lights freely. Two green windows on alternate sides allow viewers to peek into indoor activities. At the left side one can see young señoritas giggling with uncontrolled joy and to the right a shy demure smiling señorita face hides behind a fan. In the center - tropical fruit, typical to the region, are displayed as the main course to enhance the evenings celebration.

Photo credit: Maria Dominguez

slide show - detail views of "Bronx Allegory"

"Bronx Allegory"
The Health and Hospitals Corporation commissioned "Bronx Allegory" in 2007 with the intent to bring attention to their Gunhill Community Health Center. Local residents had underused the fairly new clinic their request from the artist was to have their usually white wall become a spark to the corner building. After visiting the diverse community of new immigrants the artist interviewed and photographed some employees and local residents. Her work then was designed with rich sensibility depicting portraits of those community people of all ages displaying healthy smiles.
 
Photo credit:
Maria Dominguez
 

Community Murals

Domínguez began creating public art in 1982 as an intern with Citiyarts Workshops in New York City. This first energizing experience inspired her to continue community art making individually and collectively. In each of her murals Domínguez' goal is for the work to have a reflective and inspirational impact to residents in the community. She has painted over twenty murals, both individually and collectively, in schools, community centers and neighborhoods through out the New York City area.

On December 2006 after a city wide competition Anheuser-Busch selected Domínguez as one of five finalists for their mural marketing campaign Este Es Mi Nueva York (This is My New York).  The company will use the award winning design “Dancing in New York City” all year round for promotional purposes in New York City and nationally. During the summer of the same year she designed “Arise From all Oppression” an eight canvas mural sponsored by Brooklyn Connect a social service organization. The collaborative mural consisted of youth, adult female and males who together focused on educating a wider audience against domestic abuse.

During the Summer of 2005 she participated in "When Women Pursue Justice" sponsored by Artmakers, Inc., where a prominent list of other women artists, and participants came together to create a 2,800 square feet mural in Bedford – Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Designed by one of the artist - Janet Braun-Reinitz it celebrates 20th century women leaders and activist in movements for social change in the United States. As one of the lead artists Domínguez painted the face of Dolores Huerta; co-founder of United Farmers Workers Union, also those of Antonia Pantoja; educator, writer and founder of ASPIRA, Nydia Velazquez; congresswoman and Miriam Colon; actress and founder of the Puerto Rican Travelling Theater.

Murals designed by Domínguez include "The Blues" (2005) in collaboration with High schools students in PS 753 made for their school auditorium for all to enjoy. Some of her murals are often done to provoke dialogue with local community residents. "Destiny" (2004) on Washington Avenue in Brooklyn was designed and executed by six teens and children from the Clinton Hill. It was done in response to Alexis Rockman's mural "Manifest Destiny" which was displayed at the Brooklyn Museum at the time. In it Rockman envisioned Brooklyn 3000 years into a doomed future. Unlike Rockmans’ mural "Destiny" exhibits hope for the future.

Other murals are made for contemplation "El Barrio; USA" (2000) is painted in the reception area of Senior Health Care clinic depicting diverse people out and about their East Harlem community. Visiting clients can sit and enjoy while they wait in the reception area of the clinic.