- The Mosaic Trail is a collection of around 70 lampposts decorated by Jim Power, also known as the “Mosaic Man.” While the Trail prominently features lampposts, you’ll also see other decorated surfaces, such as building stoops, planters, walls, and sidewalks.
- Called the “Gaudí of the East Village,” Jim Power says his mission is “to draw the anxiety out of the city with beauty.”
- Look closely at the lampposts. You’ll notice all types of found objects, including pennies, marbles, plates, mugs, and pebbles.
- The Trail stretches from Broadway to Avenue A, running along 8th Street and St. Mark’s Place.
- Jim Power began creating the mosaic lampposts after his service in the Vietnam War and says that the project “is my religion. This is my medicine. And I’m giving it to the world—free.” He was a union carpenter before quitting and dedicating all of his time to making the mosaics.
- All of the lampposts are inspired by and dedicated to events, places, people, and histories of the neighborhood. Examples include Saint Mark’s Place, McSorley’s Old Ale House, Fillmore East, and the Donny Records label.
- However, today, only around 25% of Power’s original poles remain. Mayor Giuliani’s Anti-Graffiti Task Force targeted and removed them.
- In 2004, Power was inducted into the City Lore Peoples Hall of Fame, an organization that celebrates New York City’s cultural heritage.
- Currently, there’s an ongoing project to restore Power’s lampposts. The poles are removed and brought to a studio to repair broken or missing mosaic pieces before reinstalling them in their original locations.
- A map of all of the decorated lampposts is on Jim Power’s website. The lampposts start at Astor Place and take you on a path through the East Village!
