PS 132Q: S.T.R.E.A.M. Adventures

PS 132 in Queens has embraced a instructional focus called “S.T.R.E.A.M.” prioritizing science, technology, robotics, engineering, arts, and mathematics. This year, the school commissioned Thrive to work with 5th graders to visually depict these values.

This mural also happens to be 60th mural art directed by Marissa Molina with Thrive Collective. That’s sixty murals she has personally designed and led with students and volunteers. By the time the season is over, she’ll be closer to 65, while also supporting dozens of artists in producing 120 murals since September.

PS 132Q: S.T.R.E.A.M. Adventures (2024)

But wait… there’s more!

Marissa started her Thrive Collective journey in 2013 as a student volunteer on our THIRD mural ever, then helped to innovate and lead our Murals programs since 2015. She served as Murals Program Director from 2018-2022, before pioneering the role of Murals Art Director since January 2023.

In that time, Marissa has coached more than 100 artists on their designs and technique and helped equip them as teaching artists and project managers. This summer, we will celebrate our 600th mural produced as a collective in ten years. Marissa has had a hand indirectly or directly in producing at least 300 of them.

But wait… there’s still more.

As a New York based Latina Artist, Marissa holds a BA (with honors) from University at Albany, SUNY, along with her MFA in Studio Art from The City College of New York, CUNY. Some of her murals can be seen at museums and cultural centers like The Clemente and the Loisaida Center in Lower Manhattan and the Museum of Urban Art in Queens and Long Island, along with mural festivals throughout NYC.

Marissa has live painted as a featured artist for the NYC Homecoming Week Queens Concert and the Hip Hop 50 Summit. Her artwork has been featured at The Hip Hop Museum, Stella McCartney’s fashion week showcase, Prime Video’s Premier event for the show “Harlem,” as well as gallery shows throughout NYC. In addition to her work with Thrive, Marissa also serves as the Manager of Creative Cultural Operations at the Museum of Urban Arts. Follow her on Instagram @minhafofa.

Marissa, we are forever grateful for your commitment, love, leadership, creativity, and so many “S.T.R.E.A.M. Adventures” we have shared. Thank you.