Groundswell, a New York-based organization dedicated to community public art, unveiled a new mural at Broadway Stages in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Entitled “Stages of Greenpoint,” the installation celebrates the neighborhood’s rich immigrant history and future as New York City’s capital for TV and film.
“We’re honored that these students chose to build their gorgeous mural at Broadway Stages. They have put so much hard work into recreating, even re-imagining, our entire neighborhood. Their mural will be a constant reminder that Greenpoint is at the heart of who we all are,” said Broadway Stages president Gina Argento. “We’re committed to supporting the local non-profit and community organizations that help North Brooklyn flourish.”
The project aims to bring public art and creative opportunities to New York City’s most underserved communities and youth. The group of students, working under the guidance of Groundswell lead artist Esteban del Valle and assistant artist Angel Garcia, created the mural as part of Groundswell’s Teen Empowerment Mural Apprenticeship (TEMA), an after-school program where teen artists meet weekly throughout the year to create large-scale public art projects for community organizations, such as Broadway Stages.
The group began working on the mural in October, taking field trips to different parts of Greenpoint, conducting interviews with long-time residents, taking workshops on mural making, researching the history of the neighborhood, and noting new developments, including the surge of immigrant families and growth of film and television in Greenpoint, to develop their designs.
“Painting this mural has been such an exciting journey for our students,” said Groundswell executive director Amy Sananman. “They went to every nook and cranny of Greenpoint to put it together, from the shelter pavilion at McGolrick Park to St Anthony’s Church on Manhattan Avenue. What makes it so special is that it showcases their artistic vision of Greenpoint. Knowing that and seeing the mural displayed for the whole community today gives our teen artists a powerful sense of accomplishment.”
