In Harlem, a community already known for its cultural icons, one painter walks around relatively unnoticed. His name is Franco Gaskin, otherwise known as Franco the Great. He’s been painting storefronts in Harlem since 1978. “He has beautified 125th Street without acknowledgement,” Gaskin’s executive director, Shanny Herrera, stated. “Without his art, it was gloomy. His art inspired us, it made us feel good.”

Gaskin lives by the philosophy, “I must bloom where I am planted.” With all of Harlem as his garden, Gaskin’s seedlings can be seen sprouting all along 125th Street. He has painted over 200 steel storefront gates, in addition to the thousands of paintings he’s made throughout his career. An exhibition of his work is currently shown on the second floor of the ACP State Office Building on 125th Street.

All of Gaskin’s work has a distinctly positive message, stemming from his desire to turn what was once negative into a bright new vision. His featured paintings mostly center on individuals; a small boy gently crying, his wide eyes staring into the distance, a father embracing his beautiful young daughter and a prestigious American Indian chief, gloriously posed. Curator Greg Mills from the International Agency for Minority Artists Affairs (IAMAA) called Gaskin’s work “uplifting but not political.”

Gaskin’s storefronts come to life at night when the stores behind them close. In a community sometimes known more for its dark side at night, Gaskin’s steel gates depict positive, playful and uplifting scenes. From dogs playing poker, to beautiful landscapes, to an image of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with the message, “Remember, I had a dream… It’s up to YOU to finish it,” Gaskin’s storefronts turn any negative image of Harlem on its head. His storefronts recall a better Harlem, a Harlem roaring with music, culture and a lively nightlife. “It’s the Harlem no one wants to talk about,” commented Cynamin Jones, event organizer for Gaskin’s exhibit. “So much has taken away from Harlem, the crimes and violence. It’s not just graffiti, it’s life, it’s culture. When you look at the pictures you see the good life. It gives hope for the future generations.” Shanny Herrera echoed the need of a place of art within Harlem. “I think they take art for granted. It inspires—art always inspires. It makes you go places you can only imagine through art.”

Gaskin himself commented on his message in his painting of Dr. King by saying, “He had a dream; it’s so easy to forget about his dream. If you continue to fight you need people to carry it on. You always need people to carry on your dreams.” Gaskin needs people to carry on his own dreams as well. A law passed in 2009 will require all solid steel storefronts to be replaced by the 75 percent see-through gates by 2026. Greg Mills, along with the help of Gaskin, his staff and others, are seeking to create a museum to preserve these storefronts for future generations. The museum would also be home for other emerging artists that are dedicated to the uplifting of African-American culture. Through exhibit sales, donations and financial help from the community and city, Gaskin’s own dream will hopefully be carried into the future.

A man of charity, personality and incredible dedication and talent, Gaskin reminds aspiring artists: “You could be the worst painter in the world, but your personality will attract them. It will say something more about you.”

Gaskin’s work will be on display at the ACP State Office Building until Feb. 29, while his storefronts will be on display on 125 Street until 2026 and hopefully well into the future. More of Gaskin’s work can be found on his website, www.FrancoTheGreat.com.