“Intersections Humanized” was created by a group of teen artists participating in Groundswell’s Summer Leadership Institute, including some with a history of court-involvement. These young people collaborated with artists Chris Soria and Don Christian Jones and community partners the NYC DOT, Pitkin Avenue BID, and the Brownsville Community Justice Center to create a vision of shared streets in Brownsville and support the economic revitalization of historic Pitkin Avenue.

In the mural, a central constellation of individual portraits overlooks historic Pitkin Avenue. Together, these individual portraits highlight the strength and diversity present in Brownsville, while creating a positive shared identity for the neighborhood’s 116,000 residents. The image is a powerful reminder of the critical role each of us has to play in transforming our community and promoting the livability of our streets. Text along the bottom reads “Respect,” “Pride,” “Fortitude,” and “Compassion.”

The unveiling of this mural is particularly meaningful as the City of New York announces a major grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), awarded to Groundswell to support the presentation of a transformative mural project in Brownsville entitled “Transform/Restore: Brownsville.” This participatory public art project will engage high-risk young adults, local businesses, and community members in creating visible and permanent change in one of New York City's most challenged neighborhoods.

“Bronx Rising” presents a community-inspired vision for Hunts Point as a neighborhood on the rise, much as the phoenix rises from the ashes to achieve new life. In the mural, a central figure of a young girl is supported on either side by elders from her neighborhood who have worked to achieve a safer, more sustainable community. Figures above plant trees, re-imagine the streetscape, and direct residents to newly created neighborhood parks. Text along the top encourages residents to “Don’t Move. Improve.” “Bronx Rising” was completed as part of StreetWise: Hunts Point, a two-year campaign to engage community members in identifying and prioritizing transportation and related-environmental concerns in their South Bronx community. The mural is the culminating public artwork created in a series of five StreetWise: Hunts Point projects presented, thanks to support from the Rockefeller Foundation and its Cultural Innovation Fund.

“Beautifying Riverbank” was created by Groundswell in partnership with the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and NYC Department of Environmental Protection. The mural engages Riverbank State Park’s diverse visitors in a celebration of our local water cycle, from the Catskill Mountains to New York City, as well as tells the story of Riverbank State Park’s creation and the resource it continues to be to the community 20 years after its opening.

In developing the site-specific mural designed for the Riverbank water splashing area, youth muralists enlivened a monumental wall with a whimsical visual narrative. Playfully changing depths and perspectives, the design illustrates the unique stories behind this one-of-a-kind park and the New York City water cycle. The mural reads left to right, and begins at daybreak as a group of community activists organize for a state-of-the-art park to be built atop a planned wastewater treatment plant. The mural ends at moonrise, as these same activists, now grandparents and friends of the park, enjoy all that the park has to offer and envision its future legacy.

At its center, children splash in the waters of the Catskill Mountains beneath a radiant Mother Nature figure. The unveiling of this mural proved particularly meaningful as Riverbank State Park celebrated its 20th anniversary. The 28-acre multi-level landscaped recreational facility rises 69 feet above the Hudson River and offers a wide variety of recreational, athletic and arts experiences for all ages, interests and abilities.

“Moving Along” transforms an uninspiring underpass into an inviting gateway between the vibrant shopping district on Atlantic Avenue and the beautifully restored Brooklyn Bridge Park, to be safely shared by pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles alike. The mural was created by Groundswell teen artists, in partnership with NYC DOT and the Atlantic Avenue BID. The mural was developed as part of a larger effort to redesign and program the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway underpass to draw pedestrian traffic from the newly completed and popular Brooklyn Bridge Park – Pier 6.

 “Moving Along” activates the threshold between Atlantic Avenue and Brooklyn Bridge Park and promotes safe pedestrian movement between the two. The design incorporates historical elements which evoke the rich history of the site, including a horse-drawn carriage and cobblestone streets. At the same time, the mural creates movement and motion through a bright color palette and wave-like composition, reminding viewers that there is always more to see along this corridor.

The mural was unveiled during a high-profile dedication ceremony, attended by local elected officials including New York Council members, State-wide representatives, and the Brooklyn Borough President, in addition to youth artists, their families, and the members of the community. Lead scholarship support for this project was provided by the Brooklyn Nets. Additional support provided by New York City Councilmember Stephen Levin.

“Coney Island Rising Up” was created as part of Recovery Diaspora, a collaborative citywide public art installation created by Swoon, together with youth from Red Hook, Coney Island, Staten Island and the Rockaways, among the neighborhoods most affected by the storm. As a response to the devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy, teen artists drew from stories of healing and recovery to create a visual narrative that captures the concerns, hopes, and overall spirit of these communities.

Following a series of interviews with Coney Island residents and business owners impacted by Superstorm Sandy, Groundswell youth muralists created a new mural to be installed at a community garden in Coney Island. The teen artists utilized expressionist techniques to illustrate the pain and emotion of the experiences shared in their initial interviews.

The mural design centers around a central mermaid figure, which evokes both the iconic image of the Coney Island boardwalk, and honors the local mom and pop businesses along Mermaid Avenue. Light emanates from this central figure, while movement is created through repetition, in a reference to Swoon’s signature printmaking technique. “Coney Island Rising Up” was installed overlooking the Santos White Garden / Lighthouse Mission and revealed during a joyful public dedication featuring live music and remarks by youth artists and representatives of the community partner organizations.

The four murals created through Recovery Diaspora are tied together by a temporary site-specific mural on the famed Bowery Mural wall, created by Swoon herself. Scheduled to coincide with the anniversary of the storm in October, it is a testament to both resilience and vulnerability, and by engaging the public in its design, it serves to highlight the importance of continued relief efforts by and for Sandy’s victims.

Lead scholarship support was provided by Con Edison. Additional support was provided by New York City Councilmember Domenic M. Recchia, Jr.

“You Can Take Our Homes But You Can’t Take Our Hearts” was created as part of Recovery Diaspora, a collaborative citywide public art installation created by Swoon, together with youth from Red Hook, Coney Island, Staten Island and the Rockaways, among the neighborhoods most affected by the storm. As a response to the devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy, teen artists drew from stories of healing and recovery to create a visual narrative that captures the concerns, hopes, and overall spirit of these communities.

“You Can Take Our Homes But You Can’t Take Our Hearts” illustrates the hope and optimism of the people of Staten Island. The mural takes the form of the human heart, stronger and more resilient as families return and homes are rebuilt. In the mural, a stained glass motif suggests that the school where the mural is installed, New Dorp High School, is also a sacred space, where neighbors helped neighbors in the days and months following Superstorm Sandy. The young women responded to feedback from the community on their design during a public design sharing. During this sharing, local residents expressed their desire to see a more optimistic vision for the final image than the teen muralists originally proposed.

The young women artists responded to this feedback, and the 12 ft wide by 17 ft high mural was unveiled to the public in August 2013. A representative from State Senator Adam Lanza’s office was on hand to present the teen artists with certificates of appreciation. NY1 covered the event, expanding its reach beyond New Dorp High School to the entire borough of Staten Island.

The four murals created through Recovery Diaspora are tied together by a temporary site-specific mural on the famed Bowery Mural wall, created by Swoon herself. Scheduled to coincide with the anniversary of the storm in October, it is a testament to both resilience and vulnerability, and by engaging the public in its design, it serves to highlight the importance of continued relief efforts by and for Sandy’s victims.

“We Rose Above the Challenge” was created as part of Recovery Diaspora, a collaborative citywide public art installation created by Swoon, together with youth from Red Hook, Coney Island, Staten Island, and the Rockaways, among the neighborhoods most affected by the storm. As a response to the devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy, teen artists drew from stories of healing and recovery to create a visual narrative that captures the concerns, hopes, and overall spirit of these communities.

In collaboration with Ocean Bay Community Development Corporation, teen artists researched the impact of Superstorm Sandy on the Rockaways through a series of interviews and site visits with local residents. As a response to these interviews, teen artists drew from stories of devastation and recovery to create a mural design that captures both the concerns and optimism of the people of the Rockaways. The mural, 35 ft wide by 5 ft high, was installed at Challenge Preparatory Charter School. The mural boldly declares “We Rose Above the Challenge.” A beacon in the mural symbolizes the important role this school played within the community in the days and months following the storm.

The work of these teens proved meaningful following Mayor Bloomberg’s announcement of the opening of registration for the NYC Build It Back Program. NYC Build It Back provides several pathways to help affected residents return to permanent, sustainable housing by addressing unmet housing recovery needs. Teen artists leveraged the unveiling of the mural to host a press conference to raise awareness of how local residents might register for the program.

The four murals created through Recovery Diaspora are tied together by a temporary site-specific mural on the famed Bowery Mural wall, created by Swoon herself. Scheduled to coincide with the anniversary of the storm in October, it is a testament to both resilience and vulnerability, and by engaging the public in its design, it serves to highlight the importance of continued relief efforts by and for Sandy’s victims.

“New Decisions and Second Chances” was created by a group of young men at East River Academy on Rikers Island. Through this project, the incarcerated youth were able to take ownership of their space and transform a blank hallway into a celebration of their creative vision and generative power. The artists began their process by reflecting on the question, “how did you get here and where can you go?” They sought to create a mural that would pose the same question to their peers and encourage them to imagine new possibilities for their future. The mural design emphasizes the potential to turn a new corner by making positive decisions towards personal growth. The artists depict past decisions and the present isolation of incarceration as they interface with the hopes of new possibilities and a positive future. While their experiences in the streets and at Rikers are shown in dark colors and shadow, the future is painted in vibrant and dynamic colors. On this inspiring side of the mural, the artists show us the joy and richness of their vision of a bright future. They use symbolism such as keys, growing plants, a mother and child, a transformed butterfly, opening doors, a listening ear, family, a lion, and turning gears. The young people used art as a medium to engage with their powers of choice and self reflection. The very process of transforming an idea into design and then into a fabricated mural demonstrated to the artists their own capacity for envisioning a goal, and working towards its manifestation. 

“Kaleidoscope Dream” is a series of eight murals that honor the new industries and accompanying workforce that have revitalized the Brooklyn Navy Yard, including film, green manufacturing, farming, fashion, fine art, and small business.  The group researched the unique history of the Brooklyn Navy Yard and its current state of development. They engaged in critical dialogue about their own perceptions, fears, and hopes surrounding the topic of work and labor.  As youth preparing to enter the workforce and higher education, the team recognized the importance of these conversations and was determined to make this discourse more accessible to young people. The apprentices utilized their newfound understanding of the neighborhood's history to tackle issues such as the relationship of race and class to today’s work and economy and, in particular, the gentrification and de-industrialization of Brooklyn. Inspired by their research and dialogue, the team then developed imagery to celebrate the interconnectedness of work and industry and the positive renewal of the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The mural imitates the movement of a kaleidoscope so that the symbols in one image are found in the next one, representing different stakeholders merging and supporting each other to create a dynamic and interdependent community.

“The Game of Not Playing” was developed in partnership with the GED Plus Regional High School in the Bronx. Inspired by their own educational experiences, the student artists explored the meaning of “success” and how individuals can define success for themselves. As a community, they sought to advocate for themselves and others who take creative paths towards education and achievement. They developed imagery to shed light on how the traditional high school experience can fail to engage many students. Playing off of “The Game of Life,” mural depicts students navigating a large game board to graduation and a GED. Much of the imagery includes obstacles and issues the youth face as they work their way to graduation and their own choices for success, including parenthood, financial pressures, and immigration to the United States where a foreign diploma is not honored by the American system. The mural project serves as a vehicle to discuss how the educational system might change to better support all students, and honors individuals who leave traditional high schools and yet fight to continue their education.