Thrive Collective’s “So Amazin!” mural was featured at Citi Field when the New York Mets celebrated Hispanic Heritage Night and Roberto Clemente Day on September 15, 2023.
Mets’ fans young and old participated in the interactive art piece during a Friday night game against the Cincinnati Reds. Inconic artist Maria “Toofly” Castillo directed the project for Thrive in collaboration with the Amazing Mets Foundation. In a press release, the New York Mets said the team was excited to collaborate with Toofly, who was raised in Corona, Queens after arriving with her family from Ecuador. Likewise, Toofly was honored to return to Queens for the special fan engagement. The completed work, which celebrated the Mets’ amazing fans and players, will be donated to the Queens elementary school she attended as a youth.
Thrive Executive Director Jeremy Del Rio said it was an honor to partner with the Amazin’ Mets Foundation to bring a live art, Hispanic Heritage experience to the fans at Citifield. He was interviewed during the game on large video screens throughout the stadium.
“We collaborate with amazing organizations like the Mets to bring arts education programs to schools. This is an experience that is duplicated every day in public schools around the city,” he said during the interview. “Tonight, our mural is an ongoing reminder of the beautiful contributions made by Hispanic people all over the world.”
Earlier this year, the Amazin’ Mets Foundation funded a $30,000 grant to Thrive Collective, a New York based non-profit whose mission is to create hope and opportunity through arts, sports and mentoring in and around public schools.
Leave a Reply