07/30/2026
Last night HYHK celebrated the completion of Ellie Balk’s newest mural, “Side by Side”, in the company of the talented artists and volunteers who helped to complete the installation. Commissioned by HYHK and curated by Debra Simon, “Side by Side” blankets a 200 foot span of Hudson Boulevard West in a tapestry of vibrant color and pattern.
Watching Ellie in action from the creation of the survey that informed the mural design, to the meticulous final touches on the wall, was a delight and an honor. We are so lucky to work with world class artists like Ellie that help bring beautiful and exciting new works of public art to the HYHK community.
It is also especially exciting to be a part of a project that was driven by responses from local residents, and completed with their help. Each color and pattern in the design was shaped by survey data from residents and passerby about how their surroundings in the area made them feel. Respondents were asked questions about their emotions in response to different colors in the mural palette such as, “what color do you think of when you think of the word comfort?”
Next time you are in Hudson Yards, pass by Hudson Boulevard West between W 36-W 37 to see the mural for yourself and ask yourself that same question!
This mural was made possible by the generosity of Tishman Speyer who helped to sponsor and paint the mural as part of their annual volunteer day.
Thank you to all those who made this possible: Ellie Balk, NYC DOT Art, Debra Simon, Tishman Speyer, Sherwin-Williams
