James De La Vega
Wednesday June 11, 2003
At last night's Museum Mile Festival, James De La Vega, an East Harlem native street artist and muralist, was creating chalk drawings on 5th Avenue. De La Vega signed and distributed a variety of free souveniers, including hats and t-shirts to the many fans who watched him work.
If you're unfamiliar with De La Vega, you may still be familiar with his work. Particularly present in the East Harlem area, De La Vega is well known for creating street art -- leaving chalk sketches and meaningful phrases to accompany them while he travels throughout the city. You can view De La Vega's work on a sidewalk near you, or at his gallery on 104th & Lexington.
Last night i took my two grandkids to the museum mile and what a privilege to be able to see a great artist at work. My grandkids loved him and what a great surprise when De La Vega drew my grandson Jordan on the sidewalk in front of the Guggenheim. We have pictures that will be treasured for live.
I view James delavega as a charlatan,who is out their prowling at anyone who he may deceit.I think he is a jeckyl and hide personality.He seems to approach people like hes smart and he went to a good college but that does not exempt him from being a wacko.I know he likes to depict whom ever he doesnt like with his drawings on the sidewalk and with his poetry,he uses that as a message.But I pray to god that someday he will pay his dues.