Harriet Tubman - Carlos Jefferson
The "What Matters?" mural is a powerful and community-centered artwork created by artist Lana Yu. Spanning 28 by 10 feet, the mural adorns the Park Street Garage and serves as a visual representation of the voices of over 11,000 diverse individuals who have participated in the project since its inception in 2011. The mural invites people of all ages, backgrounds, and cultures to share what matters most to them in life, capturing their reflections in both English and Spanish.
The project began as sidewalk writing in Peekskill and has grown into a large-scale community art initiative that spans numerous public spaces, schools, and community centers across the region. Supported in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, "What Matters?" brought people together through workshops, exhibitions, performances, and public events. The mural includes phrases gathered from community members, providing a place for contemplation, connection, and hope.
Lana Yu's vision is to create public art that surprises and impacts people's daily lives. Through this project, she encourages participants to pause, reflect on what they find meaningful, and share their thoughts with the world. The mural is a testament to the power of art in fostering unity and breaking down barriers of separation, making it a source of pride for the Peekskill community.
Lana Yu, a Peekskill resident and dedicated community builder, educator, and artist, has led this project with the goal of enriching both individual lives and the collective community. Her work exemplifies the vitality of the Peekskill artist community and serves as a lasting reminder of the importance of the arts in uniting people across all walks of life.
