Mural at former White Plains Galleria means to inspire visions of a space in transition

Helu Wang, Rockland/Westchester Journal News
·2 min read

WHITE PLAINS − With the former Galleria mall property under redevelopment, a local artist has created one vision of the project's future with a mural outside the boarded-up building.

The 60- by 12-foot mural at the corner of Main and Court streets features hearts, geometry, motion, and the newly proposed seven towers.

Katie Reidy, of Ossining, a former tenant at the Galleria mall who painted the mural close to the space where she once ran an art gallery, said she hopes the mural will inspire people to create their own vision of the space.

Muralist Katie Reidy of Ossining stands beside the mural she was commissioned to paint at the former Galleria mall site in White Plains Dec. 19, 2023. Reidy was a tenant at the mall where she ran a gallery.
Muralist Katie Reidy of Ossining stands beside the mural she was commissioned to paint at the former Galleria mall site in White Plains Dec. 19, 2023. Reidy was a tenant at the mall where she ran a gallery.

“It’s about fluidity, connectedness, love. And also about the ongoing motion of everything that we’re constantly doing, moving from past to present then into the future,” she said. “I hope that when people see that type of work created, they create their own vision and narrative around it.”

The piece is one of two murals that will appear around the building. Another work by artists Jasminia Otero and Christopher Rios is expected to be mounted within the coming weeks.

The 60-by-12-foot mural at the corner of Main and Court streets in White Plains Dec. 19, 2023. The mural was painted by Katie Reidy of Ossining, a former tenant at the mall who ran a gallery.
The 60-by-12-foot mural at the corner of Main and Court streets in White Plains Dec. 19, 2023. The mural was painted by Katie Reidy of Ossining, a former tenant at the mall who ran a gallery.

Commissioned by the developers, Pacific Retail Capital Partners and Cappelli Organization, the goal is to bring color to the downtown during the transition period for the property as a proposal to transform the area into a mixed-use residential and retail space, called District Galleria, is pending. The building has been boarded up for safety concerns.

More: Key issues for proposed Galleria development: open space, parking, affordable apartments

Najla Kayyem, executive vice president at Pacific Retail Capital Partners, said collaboration with local artists is important as they embark on the transformative journey.

“Together, we are excited to embrace community art that beautifies our construction site and reminds us that there is a bright future for downtown, and District Galleria will be an essential component of this coming renaissance,” Kayyem said.

The 60-by-12-foot mural at the corner of Main and Court streets in White Plains Dec. 19, 2023. The mural was painted by Katie Reidy of Ossining, a former tenant at the mall who ran a gallery.
The 60-by-12-foot mural at the corner of Main and Court streets in White Plains Dec. 19, 2023. The mural was painted by Katie Reidy of Ossining, a former tenant at the mall who ran a gallery.

Helu Wang covers development and real estate for The Journal News/lohud and USA Today Network. Reach her at hwang@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: White Plains NY Galleria mall mural brings color to downtown