ROCHESTER, N.Y. — If you take a closer look, street art is a common sight along many roads in Rochester.

“It kind of reminds people that it’s a neighborhood,” said local artist Victor Zarate.

“For us to come and beautify the neighborhood, you know especially in the same neighborhood we grew up in,” he added.

Zarate, better known as Range, has been adding color to Rochester’s streets for about 30 years.

“It doesn’t seem that long when you think about it I guess,” he said.

His work, along with other local artists displayed at His and Hers on North Clinton Avenue, add a vibrant and unique flavor to the area. 

“I kind of just took some of these early 80s influences on graffiti characters and just kind of modernized them,” Zarate said.

You’ll see most of Range’s art on buildings while driving or walking by. But one of his pieces passes by you on a large red truck.

“I know a few of the firefighters and he asked me if I was interested in doing these panels. I thought it would be a great way to give back,” said Zarate.

Truck 6 of the Rochester Fire Department runs out of the firehouse on Hudson Avenue. Range first worked on a set of sideboards for the truck in 2009.

“They went over some different ideas, the colors was one of them, and so he could have an idea of what we might want on it and incorporate his style,” said Capt. Dan Witkowski of the Rochester Fire Department.

The 11-year-old rig was replaced in the summer of 2020. That’s when Range went to work on a fresh set of boards for the new truck.

“That particular station uses green or yellow to mark their tools. So I make sure to incorporate green and yellow in the design,” Zarate said.

The new boards were mounted to the truck last month.

“It’s awesome to be out driving through the community we serve and be able to have signboards that represent an artist in their community who’s grown up in their community to provide awesome artwork,” said Witkowski.

Mobile or stationary, Range says he hopes his work and that of other artists continue to reflect the character of their neighborhoods.

“Hopefully now people will see it driving around and see the whole new Truck 6," said Zarate.