In most of America, a van is a sketchy vehicle; the preferred transportation of kidnappers. “Nothing good ever happens in a van,” crooned the SNL anthem Welcome to Hell. In New York City, something good occasionally happens on a van. Artists use them as canvases and create beautiful moving art galleries that make getting stuck in traffic a little less horrid.

NYC Van Art

It’s traveling street art! You never know when or where a painted van or truck will pop up and chances are you’ll never see it again. Most of them aren’t hashtag identified like the #fridavan!

But that’s part of the fun. This vehicle art really makes you live in the moment. 

Every time one of these vans passes me my heart swells with New York City love. New Yorkers fill every possible inch they can with creativity. It’s AMAZING.

Easier to enjoy the full spectrum when they park.

For the likes of me, they can be a great advertisement. After photographing this awesome Oscar the Grouch art, I know I’d immediately call that number at the top for Continental Refrigeration should I ever require their services. You’re cool enough to paint your delivery van? That’s enough to make me trust you with my fridge.

Then there was the time I spotted this moving art gallery of a different kind:

A truck in Chelsea transporting art created from wood. These are the city street scenes I can’t get enough of!

Have you ever passed one of these vans? Feel free to leave links to photos in the comments! And if you know any artists who paint vans or have any stories, please share 🙂