Welcome to the People’s House—where past, present, and future meet through exhibitions that reflect our city’s diversity and spirit.

Gracie Mansion Convervancy Presents:
Last Train to Gracie

Justin Wadlington

August 8, 2025- January 30, 2026

Gracie Mansion Conservancy Curatorial Statement

As the doors of Gracie Mansion open to Last Train to Gracie, we celebrate not just
an artist’s dream realized, but a shared journey through the soul of New York City.
This exhibition is a testament to how art preserves memory, sparks conversation, and
connects generations. With Last Train to Gracie, Justin Wadlington brings that lifelong
connection full circle, transforming Gracie Mansion into a vibrant canvas where New
York’s rich cultural heartbeat is reimagined through his lens.

In this powerful collection, Wadlington curates a visual journey through iconic symbols,
landmarks, and figures that define the city’s indelible spirit; from the MetroCard, to
the iconic Apollo, to even enjoying a slice at Lombardi’s. Each piece is an invitation to
feel, to reminisce, to question, and to celebrate the unique mosaic that is New York.

For Gracie Mansion Conservancy, Last Train to Gracie is more than an art installation;
it is a dialogue between history and contemporary culture, between civic legacy and
personal narrative. It reflects our mission to preserve Gracie Mansion not only as a
historic landmark but as a living cultural hub that amplifies diverse voices and stories.

We welcome you to experience the rhythm, resilience, and radiance of New York
through Justin Wadlington’s eyes; and discover how every story, including yours, finds
a home at Gracie Mansion. We invite you to step aboard this ‘last train,’ a journey that
bridges art, memory, and the shared experiences that connect us all.

Enjoy the ride,
Andrea Shapiro Davis, Executive Director
&
Chioma Ohakam, Director of Public Engagement
Gracie Mansion Conservancy

Artist Statement

Growing up in Philadelphia, I always looked up to New York City as a big brother.
Every time I stepped into the city, I felt like anything was possible. In 2001, I visited
the Metropolitan Museum of Art and dreamed of one day having my own exhibition
here in the city. Last Train to Gracie is that dream come true. Although I’ve shown
my work in other exhibitions around New York, this is my first solo show created
by special invitation from Gracie Mansion Conservancy, and it feels like a full circle
moment in my journey as an artist.

Through this exhibition, I invite you to journey through the iconic symbols and figures
that bring New York’s rich legacy to life in the historic Gracie Mansion. Whether you’re
using your MetroCard to get to the Apollo Theater, stopping at Lombardi’s for your
first slice of pizza, or visiting Times Square, my hope is that you connect with all the
things that make New York City unique.

These works are meant to make you feel, to laugh, to question, and to reflect. May
this exhibition spark nostalgia, curiosity, and joy. Most of all, may you experience all
of this here at Gracie Mansion, opening the door to new conversations and helping
us all see what connects us.

I would like to dedicate this exhibit to my grandmother, Hazel Elizabeth Wadlington,
and my mother, Linda Wadlington. I am deeply grateful for what they have directly
and indirectly instilled in me. My mother gave me the DNA of an artist — she was
an artist herself. I also want to thank all of my close friends and supporters who
continue to encourage and support me and my work. Lastly, I would like to thank
Gracie Mansion Conservancy for this incredible opportunity, and Blick Art Materials
for their partnership with a few art supplies for this exhibit.

Justin Michael Wadlington

JUSTIN WADLINGTON

Artist Spotlight: Justin Wadlington

Justin Michael Wadlington, was born and raised in Southwest Philadelphia, and lost
the vision in his left eye at age five. Raised by his grandmother, in group homes,
and by extended family, his path was anything but traditional, but art became his
lifeline. Completely self-taught, Justin’s work now resonates with people from all
walks of life—collectors, everyday admirers, and well-known figures. Through his
brand, Blind Eye Visions, he’s creating space for artists like him to be seen and
heard. His journey is living proof that where you begin doesn’t define where you
can go, especially when led by purpose, vision, and heart.

Driven by doubt and the challenges of blindness in his left eye, Justin turned
skepticism into motivation, determined to prove that limitations couldn’t define
his path. Justin taught himself to draw and paint—starting with pencil sketches
before evolving into full-scale portraits in acrylic on canvas. He studied online,
leaned on mentors, and practiced relentlessly. He began by painting familiar faces
from pop culture, not for celebrity attention, but because their stories of struggle
and triumph mirrored his own. With bold color, layered symbolism, and themes of
duality and resilience, Justin’s work spoke to many. In 2017, his art gained national
attention when Kevin Hart shared a portrait Justin created of him. Soon, his work
was in the hands of Shaquille O’Neal, Brooke Shields, Glenn Fuhrman, Ray Lewis,
and other well-known collectors who prefer to remain anonymous. He has shown
work at The New York Academy of Art and The FLAG Art Foundation and has been
featured by CBS Philadelphia and The Philadelphia Inquirer. Still, Justin remains
committed to accessibility, offering high-quality canvas prints so more people can
connect with his work.

Justin’s journey also drew the attention of production company Juice Groove
Films, who turned his life story into Blind Eye Artist, a full-length documentary now
streaming on Amazon Prime and Tubi.