Brooklyn Heights

‘Brooklyn Tough’ graffiti mural unveiled at St. Francis College

First in the nation

November 30, 2017 By Mary Frost Brooklyn Daily Eagle
The first commissioned graffiti mural commissioned by a college was unveiled at St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights on Thursday. Eagle photo by Mary Frost
Share this:

St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights unveiled a one-of-a-kind graffiti wall mural in its gymnasium on Thursday, becoming the first college in the nation to commission a graffiti artwork.

The mural, executed by artists from Tats Cru, features a feisty St. Francis Terrier under the words “Brooklyn Tough,” surrounded by symbols of the college’s home turf: the Brooklyn Bridge, the college’s gold doors at the entrance on Remsen Street, brownstones, the Statue of Liberty, a subway train with the NEC initials (Northeast Conference, Division 1), the NCAA letters — and a slice of pizza.

The artists are from “back in the day,” said Irma Garcia, director of athletics at St. Francis. Garcia conceptualized the mural. “There were three guys that did it. One did sketching, one did more of the details and one did the lettering. I was blown away. I’m from Brooklyn; I grew up with graffiti artists. But to have them come in and put it up on the wall, that’s monumental.” She added, “I’m really proud. That’s who we are: Brooklyn Tough.”

The mural took eight hours to create. “They freehanded the thing,” Maggi Martini, director of athletic marketing, said.

The school also has a gargantuan painting by LeRoy Neiman on the wall in its aquatic center.

“We’re two for two now. Students are already asking, ‘Where’s the next one going to go?’ Martini said.

“President Miguel [Martinez-Saenz] has been really engaging,” Garcia said. “He wants to bring Tats Cru into the cafeteria to meet with the students and get their ideas.”

Subscribe to our newsletters


Leave a Comment


Leave a Comment