Astoria: My Home

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Astoria: My Home

Artist Statement:

I moved to NYC from Miami in 2021 and immediately struggled with adapting. New York is different than the southern states; I was used to the hospitality and saying “good morning” to everyone nearby. I didn’t feel welcomed or at “home”; However, as the months went by, I began to appreciate New York for what it was and got over my phobias and troubles.

Astoria — the neighborhood I moved to — became more comforting to me. It felt like a home away from home, containing a plethora of cultures and a never ending supply food and activity. Going out and about in Astoria is always a fun adventure, constantly discovering new things that I enjoy and love. On one end, I get to witness a beautiful suburbia of the most beautiful American architecture that I have never seen before. On the other hand, I get to experience the connection between communities. Whether you are Greek, Italian, Arabic, Latino (or frankly, anybody), you are accepted as family here. Wherever you walk in Astoria, you will always see a pop of color and peculiar intricacies, enough to give this neighborhood its own story.