NEW YORK – Hiding quietly at the top of the former Seward Park High School building on Grand Street in Manhattan, now home to four schools, is a treasure trove of street art. Rooftop Legends, now in its sixth year, was started by Jesse Pais, a former graffiti artist himself, who partnered with New Design High School to curate a rotating series of street art murals high above the Lower East Side.

This year’s group includes PESU from Japan, whose mural includes a creature resembling what might well have been the drunken union between a bird and dragon. It has a flaming red tongue and one wide, Adderall-alert eye. Its mouth is wide open enough to suggest that it might eat you, although the teeth are squat and not sharp at all. Its colorful head feathers are alluring and add a benign touch. Perhaps it’s just excited to have visitors?

Tito Na Rua’s comic book-inspired mural, “Let’s Find Ana,” features his recurring character named Ze flying through the sky on what looks like a shopping cart. With his canine buddy in tow, Ze seeks his long-lost love, Ana. The dog and Ze are drawn mostly in orange and black, and look so determined and friendly you can’t help but root for them.

Another favorite is Toofly’s piece, which features a woman with an electric blue flower in her hair and eyes large enough to hold a lifetime’s worth of secrets.

Lucky students at the schools get the most use of the colorful space, but you don’t need to know a high school student for access. There are events, like the Rooftop Film series, which holds film screenings and live music in the space. You can find more information at Rooptopfilms.org. You can also contact New Design High School to find out when visitors are welcome. It’s worth the climb!

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