Nude models and artists take to New York City streets for Bodypainting Day

THE inaugural Bodypainting Day has taken place in New York City, where body-painting artists have created awesome designs on nude models.

Crist Crow stretches after being painted at Columbus Circle in NYC. Photo: John Minchillo.

NEW York really is “the naked city.”

Artists in Manhattan painted the bodies of 40 nude models on Saturday, turning the Columbus Circle entrance to Central Park into an outdoor celebration of the human form.

Artist Andy Golub says New York was the only city in the country that would allow his inaugural Bodypainting Day. And he says that it only happened after a legal battle.

Golub and a model were arrested in 2011 during a body-painting project in Times Square.

The city paid model Zoe West a $15,000 settlement after she sued over the arrest. Public nudity is legal in the city if it’s part of a performance, exhibition or show.

Golub’s event Saturday included a post-painting march down Broadway and a return to Times Square for a photo shoot.

Check out some of the models:

Crist Crow is painted at Columbus Circle as body-painting artists gathered to decorate nude models as part of an event featuring artist Andy Golub, Saturday, July 26, 2014, in New York. Golub says New York was the only city in the country that would allow his inaugural Bodypainting Day. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Marion La Coguic, of Portland, Ore., is painted at Columbus Circle as body-painting artists gathered to decorate nude models as part of an event featuring artist Andy Golub, Saturday, July 26, 2014, in New York. Golub says New York was the only city in the country that would allow his inaugural Bodypainting Day. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Marion La Coguic, of Portland, Ore., is painted at Columbus Circle as body-painting artists gathered to decorate nude models as part of an event featuring artist Andy Golub, Saturday, July 26, 2014, in New York. Golub says New York was the only city in the country that would allow his inaugural Bodypainting Day. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Debbie McCabe, of New Jersey, poses for pictures after being painted at Columbus Circle as body-painting artists gathered to decorate nude models as part of an event featuring artist Andy Golub, Saturday, July 26, 2014, in New York. Golub says New York was the only city in the country that would allow his inaugural Bodypainting Day. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

A model poses for photographs after being painted at Columbus Circle as body-painting artists gathered to decorate nude models as part of an event featuring artist Andy Golub, Saturday, July 26, 2014, in New York. Golub says New York was the only city in the country that would allow his inaugural Bodypainting Day. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Crist Crow stretches after being painted at Columbus Circle as body-painting artists gathered to decorate nude models as part of an event featuring artist Andy Golub, Saturday, July 26, 2014, in New York. Golub's event Saturday included a post-painting march down Broadway and a return to Times Square for a photo shoot. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

A model hula hoops after being painted as spectators stand near at Columbus Circle as body-painting artists gathered to decorate nude models as part of an event featuring artist Andy Golub, Saturday, July 26, 2014, in New York. Golub says New York was the only city in the country that would allow his inaugural Bodypainting Day. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)