Artist Alex Strada Installed Public Art in the Bronx

The project features handwritten testimonies from over 400 unhoused residents and shelter staff.

Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Fine Art

Bold vector editorial illustration of a metal panel on a pole in a city park, evoking urban public art. — Artist Alex Strada has launched a public art project across the Bronx, displaying narratives from hundreds of unhoused New Yorkers and shelter staff to challenge local stereotypes. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Artist Alex Strada has launched a public art installation in the Bronx featuring messages from over 400 unhoused New Yorkers and shelter staff. The initiative uses reclaimed Department of Transportation aluminum signs to display these personal testimonies in high-traffic areas.

Why it matters

The project aims to challenge widespread stereotypes and misperceptions regarding homelessness in New York City. By utilizing public infrastructure to share personal narratives, the work seeks to humanize the experiences of those navigating the shelter system.

The Public Address project utilizes aluminum signs from the Department of Transportation to showcase testimonies from 400 individuals. The installation currently occupies 12 sites in the Bronx as part of a wider five-borough expansion.

The players

Alex Strada

She is the inaugural artist-in-residence for the New York Department of Homeless Services.

New York Department of Homeless Services

This municipal agency manages shelter operations and residency programs for unhoused New Yorkers.

Department of Transportation

This agency oversees the maintenance of street infrastructure and signage in New York City.

The details

Artist Alex Strada, serving as the inaugural artist-in-residence for the New York Department of Homeless Services, translated workshop log entries onto industrial metal signage. These signs are strategically placed on street corners, in parks, and throughout other high-traffic locations.

The project debuted in Manhattan in October 2025.
The installation opened in the Bronx on September 14, 2026.
The full project is slated for completion across all five boroughs by March 2027.

Industry Dynamics

This installation represents a growing movement of government-embedded creative initiatives intended to bridge the gap between municipal policy and public perception. By placing state-commissioned art in high-traffic zones, agencies are increasingly using aesthetics to drive social engagement.

Residents can view the installation at 12 specific sites across the Bronx, including parks and street corners. These works are free to access for the public as the project continues to expand throughout the city.

The takeaway

This project encourages New Yorkers to engage directly with the personal narratives of shelter staff and unhoused neighbors. Implementing these testimonies in everyday public spaces invites a shift in how city residents perceive the complexities of urban homelessness.