My favorite thing about Spanish Harlem is the
public art- amazing street murals and mosaics that represent the
community's rich culture. This one is entitled 'The Spirit of East
Harlem' and is located on the side of a building on Lexington Ave & 104th St. It was painted by Hank Prussing in the 1970's. Apparently, every person depicted in the painting was a recognized local in the community at the time. Manuel (Manny) Vega, who was Mr. Prussing's apprentice throughout this work, and who would go on to be a significant figure for his numerous artistic contributions to Spanish Harlem, restored the massive painting-which is considered to be SpaHa's most significant- in the late 90's after it had been defaced with graffiti.
"Then we rode that Black Maria/ Through the streets of Spanish Harlem/ Calling old friends on the corners/ Just to lay our prayers upon them/ Crying/ Adios Hermanos. Adios" --Paul Simon, Adios Hermanos
