On Saturday, August 23rd, the Bronx lit up once again with color, creativity, and community as the 11th edition of the “Beautification of the Bronx” graffiti art festival, Boone Avenue Walls, took over the borough. What started at Boone Avenue has now expanded to four neighborhoods—West Farms, Foxhurst (Whitelock Ave), Hunts Point, and Mott Haven—turning the Bronx into a full-on open-air gallery.
CortesNYC teamed up with longtime collaborator and crew member Greed to create a fresh new mural at 1056 Lowell Street. This was a special moment—their first time painting together since 2019, and a continuation of a graffiti partnership that goes back over 30 years as part of the A3 crew.
Their new wall brought together signature bold styles and juicy color palettes. As always, Cortes brought his recognizable character work and lettering, while Greed delivered powerful pieces with precision and punch. Together, they created a visual statement that stood out among a weekend filled with incredible work from local and visiting artists alike.
The streets were alive with visitors, many of whom had just come from the Graffiti Hall of Fame in Harlem. Several fans recognized Cortes’ work from GHOF25, including his graffiti cenobites and longtime tag WAQS, sparking conversations, memories, and reunions. Old friends, fellow writers, and longtime fans stopped by to show love, catch up, and take photos.
One unexpected highlight? A fan who had picked up the GraffTour tee during GHOF proudly wore it out to Boone Ave—only to run into Cortes himself, also rocking the same tee. It was a full-circle moment that captured the vibe of the weekend: connection, creativity, and shared culture.
Big shoutout to Wen One for the invite and for organizing this event to continue to uplift the Bronx through art. The legacy of Boone Ave lives on, stronger and more vibrant than ever.
