Staten Island Teen's Photo Displayed at Grand Central

A photograph by Staten Island Academy senior Kali DeCristoforo is now part of "Dear New York," a major public art installation at Grand Central Terminal. The image, a quiet tribute to her father, was chosen from many submissions for the exhibit, which runs until October 19.

The unexpected selection brought a moment of pride and healing for Kali and her family, particularly after a recent personal tragedy. This large-scale exhibition features thousands of portraits and stories from New Yorkers across the city.

Unexpected Recognition for a Personal Image

Kali DeCristoforo, a high school senior, submitted a photograph without her father's knowledge. The image features her father, Mark DeCristoforo, who is the head football coach at St. Peter's Boys High School. Its selection for "Dear New York" came as a complete surprise to both Kali and her father.

Mark DeCristoforo first learned about the photo's inclusion when a school administrator sent him a picture of it displayed inside Grand Central. He expressed his honor and surprise at the news, noting he was unaware Kali had submitted the image or an accompanying personal blurb.

"My first reaction to learning her work was selected was truly thinking what a special place Staten Island Academy is, where a student could submit a photograph and paragraph and somehow it winds up hanging in Grand Central Station," Mark DeCristoforo stated.

A Moment of Healing Amidst Tragedy

For the DeCristoforo family, the public display of Kali's photograph holds significant emotional weight. In January 2024, a house fire destroyed their home and tragically resulted in the death of Kali's seven-year-old sister, Rory.

Rory, described as a dark-haired, blue-eyed child with a loving spirit, was the youngest of four siblings. Her loss deeply impacted the family, including Kali and her brothers, Bubba and Shane. The family released a statement after the fire, saying, "The youngest of four siblings, she stole a piece of each of their hearts."

Mark DeCristoforo reflected on how the art installation offered an unexpected moment of healing. He highlighted the support from the community and the school, particularly Dr. Eileen Corigliano, the Head of School, who shared the news with him.

He noted that even months after the fire, the family still experiences the loss as if it were recent. The recognition of Kali's work serves as a powerful reminder to maintain a positive outlook.

"At this point to have strength and inspiration be acknowledged and in such a public way, by the most important person in our lives was truly a gift and wake-up call to keep being positive and leading by example," DeCristoforo shared.

Kali's Achievements and Resilience

Kali DeCristoforo is a distinguished senior at Staten Island Academy. She excels not only in academics but also in multiple sports and extracurricular activities. Kali plays varsity soccer, basketball, and lacrosse. She also participates in theater productions and maintains a high academic average while applying to colleges.

Her father describes her as "the strongest young woman on the planet." This strength has been evident as she navigates her senior year while coping with profound personal loss.

Grand Central Terminal Transformed

The "Dear New York" installation transforms Grand Central Terminal into a massive gallery space. It utilizes more than 150 digital screens across the terminal and its subway concourse. These screens display thousands of portraits and personal stories from New Yorkers.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) collaborated on this project. Mary John, the MTA's director of commercial ventures, commented on the exhibit's impact. She told ARTNews, "This beautiful art installation transforms the terminal into a photographic display of New Yorkers telling their stories from all walks of life. It serves as a powerful reminder of our shared humanity."

Extensive Use of Terminal Space

• Main Concourse: Features 50-foot digital projections.
• Soundtrack: A custom soundtrack, curated with The Juilliard School, offers over 100 hours of music.
• Public Piano: A Steinway & Sons piano is available for public use during the exhibit.
• Subway Level: Designer Andrea Trabucco-Campos and Pentagram oversaw the most extensive use of subway space in MTA history for this project.

This project marks the first time the MTA has unified digital displays across the entire terminal and concourse. Brandon Stanton explained the core idea behind the exhibit to ARTnews: "The general thesis is that all of New York is where the world comes together in a single place. And there's something almost sacred about that — it's like a microcosm, a proof of concept that humanity can get along even when shoved into the smallest spaces."

Community Showcase in Vanderbilt Hall

Beyond the main digital displays, the installation also includes a community showcase in Vanderbilt Hall. This section features works by emerging artists and more than 600 New York City public school students. Their contributions were selected through an open call, highlighting diverse artistic perspectives.

Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos praised the initiative. She told ARTNews, "We are proud to provide all of our young artists with the space to shine and share their perspectives through photography and visual storytelling."

The exhibition continues to draw visitors until its closing date, offering a unique blend of personal stories and public art on a grand scale. It underscores the resilience and vibrant spirit of New York City and its residents.