Cardinal Garden by Estrella in New York

Estrella is a first-generation Colombian-American public artist, muralist, and Brooklyn native whose work explores the relationship between community, culture, and place. Inspired by the neighborhoods that shaped her and informed by her perspective as a mother of four, she creates large-scale, site-specific murals that foster connection, celebrate local identity, and transform everyday environments into memorable public experiences. Her practice is rooted in the belief that public art should reflect the unique character of the communities it serves. Each commission begins with research into a site's history, architecture, landscape, and cultural identity, resulting in original artwork that is thoughtfully integrated into its surroundings. Working across schools, commercial spaces, restaurants, markets, and civic environments, Estrella creates murals that invite curiosity, encourage a sense of belonging, and strengthen the connection between people and place. Her portfolio includes more than 20 commissioned public-facing artworks in North Brooklyn alone, with additional site-specific commissions throughout Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Bronx, and Queens. Recent projects include large-scale public school entrance transformations, neighborhood markets, hospitality venues, and highly visible commercial murals that contribute to the visual identity of New York City communities. She studied at the High School of Art & Design, the Art Students League of New York, Cooper Union's Junior Program, and the Greg Wyatt Studio. Her work has been featured by the Brooklyn Eagle, Greenpointers, and WIOX Radio, and exhibited through Greenpoint Open Studios and the New Jersey City University Visual Arts Gallery. Through every commission, she seeks to create artwork that honors the spirit of a place while leaving a lasting impression on the people who experience it.