A large mural has gone up on a Sunnyside street corner in honor of a local business owner who passed away earlier this year (Photo Queens Post)
Aug. 3, 2022 By Michael Dorgan
A large mural has gone up on a Sunnyside street corner in recognition of a well-known business owner—and the wife of the treasurer of the Sunnyside Shines Business Improvement District—who passed away earlier this year.
The colorful mural, which features six roses and a streetscape of Manhattan, has been painted in honor of Rose Weiner, who died on March 15 at the age of 78. She was the wife of Artie Weiner, and the couple were married for 50 years and have two sons.
The mural has gone up on a wall on the southeast corner of Greenpoint Avenue and 43rd Street, where Sunnyside Pediatrics is located. The property is owned by Artie Weiner and is located across the street from Thomas P. Noonan Playground and the Sunnyside Library. The mural faces onto 43rd Street.
The Weiners operated a hardware store and seasonal Christmas store called Nelson’s for decades at the location, where Rose became a familiar face to local residents and shoppers.
The couple closed Nelson’s in 2008 and retired. They then leased the property to a grocery store operator and then to professionals in the medical field.
Artie said it was fitting to put the mural up on the side of the building, given Rose’s association with the premises.
“It’s really well done, it’s really nice,” Artie said.
The mural was created by Roger Smith, a prominent graffiti artist who is originally from Astoria. It is around 50 feet long and is the same height as the one-story building.
The artwork also features Rose’s name written in large letters. Smith finished the mural Saturday, Artie said.
The colorful mural features several roses, a streetscape of Manhattan and the name “Rose” in big letters (Photo Queens Post)
Smith was hired by the couple in the past to paint murals on that wall.
“When she passed away, I talked to the artist and asked him to create something in her honor,” Artie said.
“She loved flowers, she always had flowers in the house, and she also loved the city so that’s what he came up with,” Artie said, adding that he feels the painting has brought new life to the street.
The mural was created as a tribute to the life of Rose Weiner (Photo: dignitymemorial.com)
Artie said his wife was a strong woman and is missed by their family.
“[She was] feisty, she took no shit from anyone,” Artie said.
Those sentiments were echoed by John Vogt, a fellow board member at Sunnyside Shines who worked with Artie and Rose through the years.
“I loved Rose and her rough around the edges [attitude], she pulled no punches.”
“Rose was Artie’s partner in everything he did in Sunnyside from Nelson’s to the Chamber, to Sunnyside Shines.”
Vogt said that Rose volunteered at various local events and was unafraid to offer her opinion.
He said the mural is visually appealing and expects it to be well received by the community.
“It is a nice addition to the streets of Sunnyside,” Vogt said.
‘It is a great tribute to Rose, who was one of the key people in Sunnyside. I continue to miss Rose and a mural is the least that can be done for her remembrance.”
The mural has been painted on the side of Sunnyside Pediatric, a medical office located at 43-24 Greenpoint Ave. (Photo: Queens Post)
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18 Comments
nice!
Actually, the mural is on the building on the southwest corner of Greenpoint Avenue and 43rd Street, not the southeast corner. The library is on the southeast corner.
this is really nicely done.
Dear Artie,
Beautiful tribute and mural
Best,
Scott Cooper
Would of been nice if they hired a struggling POC graffiti artist to paint the mural. There are so many of them in Sunnyside that do not get paid.
In other words “whites need not apply.”
I do believe you are advocating for racial discrimination.
I’m glad they hired someone who is accomplished and known for the quality of their work. The color of someone’s skin is and should always be irrelevant.
I guess James Caan was too controversial for a Mural in Sunnyside. He died early in July and was from Sunnyside. https://sunnysidepost.com/james-caan-hollywood-icon-who-was-raised-in-sunnyside-dies-aged-82
What’s stopping you from doing one or hiring someone to do it?
I thought it was a dedication to Rose Nylund from The Golden Girls played by Betty White who died earlier this year. She was 99 yrs old.
I though a flower or queer business was opening in that location until I read this article.
May Rose RIP. Beautiful mural. I still miss Nelson’s. ?
Nice couple but, I don’t like the graffiti mural.
wow, this is a beautiful tribute. nothing about this says graffiti. so I’m guessing you just don’t like art? thank God the owner of the building is free to do what he wants.
Such a beautiful memorial to Rose. We met Rose & Artie on vacations in Sarasota. I loved Rose’s “rough around the edges” comments/attitude. Some of her one liner, descriptive comments had me laughing so hard my stomach ached. Great memories and a great memorial Artie!
What a lovely tribute to Rose Weiner
This is a beautiful tribute!
Beautiful, Rose will be missed. I work in her Christmas shop for many years, always funny, caring woman.