By KIMBERLY JACOBS

In May, Samelys Lopez and the Bedford Mosholu Community Association received a $1,250 grant to paint a graffiti mural on a blank wall across from PS 8 on Briggs Avenue at 202nd Street.

Lopez, a resident of Briggs Avenue, grew tired of seeing the grey-colored eyesore wall tagged by gangs. She decided to apply for the grant through Citizens Committee for New York City to bring beauty to her block.

“How cool would it be to do an art project there? Especially since it’s already across the street from the school,” recalled Lopez on the idea to create the mural.

But even before learning she won, Lopez was already vetting artists to paint the wall. She was referred to Lady K Fever, a Bronx resident and consultant for Bronx 200 Visual Arts Directory, a streamlined online listing of 200 professional visual artists who live or work in the Bronx. Fever ultimately agreed to help in the mural project.

“Fever has worked with a myriad of graffiti artists all around the city, has the respect of many, and is extremely passionate about the art form and finding positive ways to bring art to public spaces,” said Laura James, co-founder and executive director of BX200, who referred Lopez to Fever.

Lopez’s vision includes the community involvement as a way of giving residents ownership and pride. Along with asking Fever to lead the mural project, Lopez and the Bedford Mosholu Community Association reached out to PS 8 so students can draft ideas and participate.

“My vision is to get a couple of kids from the homeless shelter that’s right up the block from the mural [location] so they can come volunteer and potentially even some of the kids that are doing the tagging,” said Lopez.

Fever added, “I don’t sign up for projects with people I don’t believe are like-minded and Samelys has a beautiful vision and I’m looking forward to fulfilling it.” Fever has been an artist for 24 years painting murals around the Bronx (194th Street and Bainbridge Avenue), and is excited to work on this project. “…To be able to put together a mural with a bunch of different artists in this neighborhood would be something special,” she said.

Both women love their community and see the creation of this mural as another way to bring beauty and pride to it. “I can’t imagine living anywhere else because I feel like I have such a great community,” said Lopez.

Lopez learned about the grant through research for her non-profit organization, Velo City, and looked into it for this specific mural project with the Bedford Mosholu Community Association. She hopes that others will apply for the grant to beautify their neighborhood too.

“The Citizens Committee for New York City Grant is really great in terms of providing technical assistance to local non-profit and civic organizations so they can beautify their neighborhood. They give it out to people that just want to do planting or art projects,” said Lopez.

The mural is expected to be painted in July.

Editor’s Note: The print version of this article misstated the grantee received $1,000. It’s been changed to reflect the correct figure.