NYC PARKS UNVEILS NEWLY REFURBISHED BASKETBALL COURTS AT TOMPKINS SQUARE PARK

Upgrades were completed through NYC Parks Adopt-a-Park program, in collaboration with Glossier, Project Backboard, and artist Na Chainkua Reindorf

Today, NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue joined Glossier Chief Executive Officer Kyle Leahy, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, WNBA player Brionna Jones, representatives from Project Backboard, and multidisciplinary artist Na Chainkua Reindorf, to celebrate the refurbishment and redesign of the basketball courts at Tompkins Square Park.

The redesigned courts highlight artist Na Chainkua Reindorf's West African Folklore vision, which reflects her signature style and "all-seeing eye" motif that is prominent throughout her portfolio. The artwork at Tompkins Square Park represents the women's gaze, vision and power. If you look down at the artwork from above, Reindorf imagines players on the court will look like figures in her artwork, silhouetted in the "all seeing eye."

"We are delighted to celebrate our partnership with Glossier, Project Backboard, and renowned artist Na Chainkua Reindorf to refurbish and redesign the basketball courts in Tompkins Square Park, said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue." This partnership brings together creativity and community spirit to enliven the courts and spread an important message about women's empowerment in sports. NYC Parks is excited to continue bringing public art to New Yorkers in this park and around the city, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact this partnership will have on our NYC communities."

This project has been made possible through NYC Parks' Adopt-a-Park program, which allows organizations to provide support for the renovation and beautification of parks, playgrounds, and other amenities. This initiative revitalizes playgrounds, resurfaces basketball and tennis courts, and transforms unused paved areas into vibrant green spaces to enhance community health but revitalize New York City itself.

"We're thrilled to unveil this stunning court refurbishment project in partnership with Na Reindorf, Project Backboard, and the NYC Parks Department," said Kyle Leahy, CEO of Glossier. "As the beauty partner of the WNBA, this work of public art is an extension of our efforts over the past few years: celebrating women in sport and bringing people together. We're grateful to bring this to life with our incredible partners in the city that Glossier calls home, just one year after we shot an award-winning WNBA campaign on these exact Tompkins Square Park courts."

"The relationship with Glossier continues to highlight unity and celebrate women in sports," said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. "Tompkins Square Park set the scene for our Stretch campaign with Glossier, and by refurbishing the venue alongside Project Backboard, we're reminded of our partnership's enduring impact and outward extension to the community."

"I'm thrilled to collaborate with Glossier and the WNBA in my capacity as an artist," said Na Chainkua Reindorf. "Their dedication to empowering, uplifting, and inspiring women resonates deeply with the themes I explore in my art practice. These very themes served as the inspiration for this artwork, which features an unblinking eye that gazes back. The intention is to address power imbalances often associated with the act of looking. It's about reclaiming agency and challenging societal norms. Moreover, I'm incredibly excited about the artwork's translation to this scale as it ignites new modes of engagement. I can't wait to see how it resonates with the community. Many thanks to Project Backboard and NYC Parks Department for making this happen."