Turning Public Art into Public Good
In the summer of 2021, New York City’s streets filled with painted cows for the first time in two decades as CowParade NYC returned to celebrate creativity and compassion. Among the standout pieces was “Citi of Dreams,” a vibrant, graffiti-inspired sculpture by Fernando “Ski” Romero, commissioned by the Amazin’ Mets Foundation. Displayed at Hudson Yards, the piece blended street art’s electric energy with civic pride, proving that even a fiberglass cow can carry the soul of the city.
A Canvas of Hope and Identity
Romero’s cow was anything but ordinary. Covered in bold typography, rhythmic lines, and bursts of color, “Citi of Dreams” echoed the same layered storytelling seen in his murals across New York—from Hotel Indigo Williamsburg to Citibank’s “Progress is Beautiful.” The sculpture represented both the Mets’ hometown spirit and the resilience of New Yorkers emerging from the challenges of 2020.
“Public art has power because everyone gets to see it,” Romero said. “This was about joy, about putting color back in the city.” The cow’s name—Citi of Dreams—paid homage to both Citi Field, home of the Mets, and the collective ambition that keeps New York moving forward.
How cool is this 😎💨
— Fernando “Ski” Romero (@FR_Art_Studio) September 17, 2021
First, I painted a cow for @officialcowparade benefiting @godslovenyc. Then the @mets asked me to paint a cow for them for this years #cowparadenyc. What an honor especially since I’m from Queens. Then I got to meet @tiaalexnymets which blew my mind! Thank u pic.twitter.com/jFONCFY0yI
Art Meets Philanthropy
CowParade’s mission has always gone beyond creativity—it’s about giving back. After its public exhibition, Romero’s “Citi of Dreams” was auctioned to raise funds for God’s Love We Deliver, a nonprofit that prepares and delivers medically tailored meals to New Yorkers living with serious illness. Alongside 77 other artist-designed cows scattered across the five boroughs, SKI’s sculpture helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the cause.
Sponsored by the Amazin’ Mets Foundation, the piece linked sports, art, and charity in a way that felt deeply local yet universally uplifting. It stood as a beacon of community—the kind of project that turns a public space into a shared celebration.
Bringing Graffiti to the Grand Parade
Romero’s participation marked a notable moment for New York’s graffiti movement. Once dismissed as vandalism, graffiti was now taking its place among fine art, philanthropy, and civic culture. “Citi of Dreams” stood shoulder-to-shoulder with works by established sculptors and designers, yet its street-born vibrancy made it unmistakably SKI.
His approach honored graffiti’s roots while expanding its audience—bridging the boroughs, the ballpark, and the public. As one visitor told amNY, “It feels like New York finally painted itself again.”
Legacy: A Celebration of What Makes New York, New York
Displayed at Hudson Yards before its charity auction, Romero’s sculpture became a favorite among tourists, families, and lifelong New Yorkers alike. It was photographed thousands of times, its bright colors popping against Manhattan’s glass skyline. More than a sculpture, it was a statement: creativity, generosity, and unity are still at the heart of the city.
For Fernando “Ski” Romero, “Citi of Dreams” represented the perfect intersection of purpose and paint. “This city gave me everything,” he reflected. “This was my way to give something beautiful back.”
