The Mall at Bay Plaza is proud to partner with local Bronx artist Nicole America Cruz and showcase her custom art installation now on display on Level 3. Nicole describes Cornerstones as a love letter to the Bronx — honoring the everyday places and people that make our community so special. Inspired by the neighborhood bodega, the artwork celebrates the cultural roots, resilience, and everyday moments that define the Bronx. Nicole’s work reminds us that the borough is shaped not by headlines — but by the people who call it home.

About the Work:

This work is a love letter to the Bronx and the everyday places and people that are often overlooked. Set in the scene of a neighborhood bodega, it honors a space that has always been more than just a store. Bodegas were introduced to New York by Puerto Rican migrants using their business model of the colmado. Bodegas have long been a monument of survival for the many Puerto Rican, Dominican, and Yemeni migrants who carved out new beginnings in unfamiliar streets. They are cultural landmarks that build community one small interaction at a time. The figures in this painting are faceless for a reason. They represent the people of the Bronx who have shaped culture through their style and energy yet are rarely recognized for it. They stand in place for the everyday workers and families who keep this borough alive. The goal of this work is to show the Bronx as more than its headlines or reputation. It is a reminder that the people from here deserve to see their home reflected in a positive light. The Bronx is not defined by what others say about it but by the people who live, work, and build lives here every day. 

About the Artist:

Nicole America Cruz is a Dominican-American artist raised and based in The Bronx, New York. Through a multidisciplinary approach, her practice centers on the celebration of identity, faith, and community. Working in the mediums of painting, drawing, and ceramics, she also explores the complexities of intersectionality and belonging. With a BFA in Studio Art from CUNY Queens College and a MA in Art Education in progress at New York University, Nicole is also a passionate educator working with young children in her community. Nicole is a 2025 BRIO (Bronx Recognizes Its Own) awardee. This recognition is a catalyst for her to continue amplifying voices and stories that are often unseen. 

View More About Nicole here.

Interested in being the next local Bronx artist featured at The Mall at Bay Plaza? Reach out to Tasha at tbranham@brogantennyson.com.