I knew next to nothing about Acool55 when I went to meet him in the East Village. I had been drawn to the artist for his message – his works are imbued with socio-political and environmental meaning. So, I stood in Fresco Gelateria, unsure of who I was looking for.

I noticed two Italian gentlemen in the corner of the coffee shop. One turned and I read his jacket: “Make Toys Not Guns.” We shared some brief introductions and espresso, before Acool55 led the three of us, including Frank his assistant, over to his studio with a call of “Andiamo!”

Old Dogs Learn New Streets

The moniker always struck me - so I opened by asking where it came from. Acool55 is actually a phonetic flip of the artist’s real name. L-U-C-A became A-C-O-O-L. And the digits: “55 is my lucky number… I’ve always used 55, I’ve always played the 55. … I like the double five. I don’t know why. Maybe one day I knew… but it’s been a long time." Acool55 said with a laugh.

Acool55 is a mature man, which may surprise those who think art is exclusively a young gun’s game. Before turning to street art, Acool55 had established himself as a professional fashion photographer, among other specialties. It was his work in fashion that led him to the streets.

Glamour Italia hired him to do a story on Libby Schoettle, known best for her character Phoebe, the darling of New York streets. For their interview, they worked together, taking photos and rocking the shoot. Later when Libby came by Acool55’s studio, she asked if he had done photography outside of fashion, and he showed her some of his environmental and experimental pictures.

Libby loved it. She told him to make some prints, and to meet her in Red Hook at two in the morning. Dutifully, he complied. On his first late-night pasting, Libby taught him the basics, and he put his piece up next to her Phoebe. After, he more or less forgot about it, until a few weeks later Libby gave him a call: “Do you see what’s happening?”

Their Red Hook expedition was blowing up on Instagram. While much of the focus was around Phoebe, chatter in the comments was buzzing about who this new artist was. Acool55 felt this positive energy was a sign; "I learned a long time ago that nothing happens by accident. There is always a reason.”

In the past, Acool55 had collaborated with major organizations around the world such as the United Nations and UNICEF. However, the bureaucracy of big institutions means that art produced through them experiences a dilution – the meaning is watered down.

“Here I am, struggling to send a message out about taking better care of the planet…. [when] I can write something on the wall, and people will actually come by and take pictures of it.”

Acool55 was inspired. He started coming up with concepts and ideas, moving his photography and art more in that direction. May 5th of this year, Cinco de Mayo, will mark the 2-year anniversary of his entrance to streets. In this time, he has been incredibly productive, flying to cities around the world for his art. What drives Acool55 is both the profound connections he made and the freedom of creation he acquired.

“Your experience as an artist… is a high.” He grinned. “I have no problem admitting it. I’m addicted to street art.”

Acool55 keeps a good sense of humor about his age: “I’m the oldest rookie in the street art world.” At first, he expected to be rejected because he did not fit the prototype. Instead, he was surprised by how warm people were. “There’s a great sense of community and helping each other, teaching each other, getting spaces for each other.”

He smiled. “They make fun of me of course, but I make fun of them too. We throw it back and forth.”

As always, Acool55 wanted to give back. So, he gathered his resources, and set out to help make spaces for artists. He acquired the management of a yellow cab company in Queens, and helped launch what is now known as “The Great Wall of Savas.” Acool55 manages the walls there, as well as a billboard on 39th street and Queens Blvd that can be seen from the subway. He understands the unwritten rule of street art - pass it forward.

“I truly, truly, truly appreciate the community.”