By Richard Bucey

Washing clothes just got a bit more colorful!

On May 16 a laundromat in Melrose was adorned with bright and colorful art courtesy of some 200 students from local schools.  Patrons were also treated to a surprise concert by Latin Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Leslie Grace.  Portraits of Hope, a non-profit organization that brings childrens’ art to local communities, teamed with Gain Laundry Detergent and Montefiore Medical Center to host the event.

The splendid spring-styled floral art decorated the walls and washing machines of Happy Family Laundromat, a family-owned operation at East 163rd Street. The blooming murals can also be seen at separate laundromats–938 E. 163rd St. and 1210 Webster Ave. They’re aimed at sprucing up the otherwise ordinary laundromats throughout the summer.

“It’s about taking a mundane task, and making it joyful,” said Mark Jeffrey, associate marketing director of Procter and Gamble, the company that owns Gain.

Over 200 children who attend local elementary schools from the Bronx created dazzling drawings of colorful flowers, making the selected laundromats stand out among others.  The project was conceived by Portraits of Hope, a California-based nonprofit that focuses on bringing the joys of public pop-art to children in schools and hospitals.

Their other recent projects include giving sick children the chance to beautify lifeguard stands in Los Angeles, taxi cabs in Manhattan, and even blimps in San Francisco.

“A key part of Portraits of Hope is in instilling pride in children, many of whom may be dealing with life challenges, illnesses, or disabilities and providing them with the opportunity to say ‘I did that,’” said Bernie Massey, who co-founded the nonprofit with his brother Ed. “We want to give kids a sense of childhood in a hospital setting.”

Massey explained that this project is unique for Portraits of Hope since “this is the only project we’ve done where the kids are so close to the art they’ve created.  These kids could easily have the chance to visit all six of the locations where their art is on display.”

Massey added that he was particularly pleased with the warm reception they received from the children and adults throughout the trio of laundromats.  “Usually when people think public art they think of a mural in the heart of Manhattan, we think everyone should have the opportunity to create and enjoy public art.”

One Bronx native was Latin Grammy nominated singer Leslie Grace who returned to her home to perform at the Happy family Laundromat.  “This is my first time back in the Bronx since I was a kid, and I’m so excited to help Gain spread a bit of unexpected joy and celebration to the community,” said Grace after delivering a surprise performance of her new single “Nadie Como Tu.”

“It’s no secret that we all have to do laundry and these vibrant community-created art projects have definitely turned ordinary laundromats into something truly special.  You just can’t help but to smile when you see them!”

All three laundromats are scheduled to have the art on display for at least four months, but Massey expects that they are here to stay for much longer.

Reach Nowood News reporter Richard Bucey at rbucey@gm.slc.edu.

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Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.