Loisaida Thrives

Mural 800 Celebrates Thrive's Loisaida Roots

Thrive Collective’s 800th mural “Loisaida Thrives” is extra special for us. Located at the intersection of Avenue C and 6th Street, it resides half a block away from where our founding church Abounding Grace Ministries began in 1982, and three doors down from where our founding youth group started in 1994. Plus it includes portraits of local legends Pastors Rick and Arlene Del Rio, Adela Fargas, Rollie Barnes and others. Much of the photo reference for the design came from Jeremy Del Rio‘s personal photography archive of community events for almost forty years.

What an honor the NYC Department of Small Business Services gave us in supporting our efforts to revitalize a notoriously vandalized building at the geographic center of our beloved community.

“Public spaces should also reflect the culture and creativity of the communities. By funding the Thrive Collective, SBS is investing in the rich history and cultural identity of the Lower East Side. Murals like this transform high-traffic corridors into vibrant community landmarks that celebrate the people and small businesses that are the foundation of New York City’s neighborhoods.”

– Commissioner Kenny Minaya, NYC Department of Small Business Services, 2026 Public Realm Mural Sponsor

6th Street, Featuring Pastors Rick & Arlene Del Rio

The design integrates historic and contemporary references to the neighborhood based on the community engagement feedback. From left to right:

The bandstand was a historic event venue in FDR Park along the East River before it was torn down during the recent park redevelopment.
The Basquiat crown acknowledges the neighborhood’s unique role in art and culture for generations.
The sewing machine and fabric motifs reference local fashion designers, boutiques, and retailers.
The b-boys dancing on a spinning record represent the influence of hip hop culture locally, along with the East Village’s nightlife that introduced hip hop to the world.
The piragua shaved ice vendor represents iconic mom-and-pop entrepreneurs.
The portrait of Adela Fargas is an homage to a local restaurateur for whom the street was co-named Adela Fargas Way in 2023.
The inflatable slide and festival vignette highlights the central role street fairs and block parties play in the local economy.
The skateboarder references the neighborhood’s central role in skater culture and street wear fashion.
Both the guitar and the older couple dancing reference the community’s nightlife and cultural significance.
All modes of transport—bus, train, the Williamsburg Bridge, and walking—lead people along the avenue. Street signage featuring both names, Avenue C and Loisaida Avenue, is prominent.
Three cityscapes include diverse architectural elements ranging from NYCHA buildings to storefronts and brownstones, and highlight the neighborhood’s economic range from low income to private equity.

Other notable community references:

Multigenerational fun and compassion, block parties, and cultural diversity.
The central character wears dominoes as earrings, and her braided hair morphs into a media reel that paints a moving portrait of a vibrant neighborhood through additional vignettes.
The central phrase “Loisaida Thrives,” captures the prevailing message that emerged from the community engagement sessions.
The Tompkins Square Park sign, skatepark, and statue point to the unofficial town square two blocks from the mural.
Specific flowers, the coqui frog, and other images reference the neighborhood’s cultural diversity and distinctly Puerto Rican heritage.
Throughout the community engagement sessions, different stakeholders emphasized highlighting the community’s resilience through centuries of immigrant poverty, the drug wars, and national calamities including the HIV/AIDS epidemic, 9/11, Hurricane Sandy, and COVID. The portrait of Pastor Rick Del Rio honors a social entrepreneur from the block (6th Street between Avenues C and D) who has been instrumental in responding to each of those struggles. Notably, he was also the first clergy responder to arrive at Ground Zero after FDNY Chaplain Father Judge died on 9/11. Pastor Rick has been a pastor, entrepreneur and community activist in the neighborhood for nearly fifty years, and he is currently fighting stage 4 cancer resulting from his work at Ground Zero. This year marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11. His life and sacrifice symbolize the neighborhood’s resilience and vitality.
Additional portraits include Pastor Arlene Del Rio, co-founder and family pastor at Abounding Grace Ministries, and Rollie Barnes gazing towards 4th Street where he lived while co-founding Generation Xcel in 1996, the predecessor to Thrive Collective.