Bridging the Divide: Bushwick Houses, Brooklyn, 2023
About
A collaboration between ArtBridge’s Bridging the Divide and ¡OYE! Group’s Healing Room this program focused on providing a creative outlet for the senior population at NYCHA Bushwick Houses. For three months, the seniors participated in various art and wellness activities led by a team of artists and therapists. They drew flowers, shared stories about their families, and visited Governors Island twice to experience a new landscape and create totems. By the end of the program, the senior activity room at Bushwick Houses was transformed into a gallery featuring the elder’s artworks and was permanently adorned with a mural conceived by lead teaching artist Giannina Gutierrez.
In true ArtBridge fashion, the seniors also collaborated with artists to create murals for the scaffolding surrounding many of the buildings on the NYCHA campus. “Community Garden,” by artist Dana Robinson is installed at 370 Bushwick Ave and 24 Humboldt St. The mural came together by collaging drawings by the Bushwick Houses elders into a playful landscape of green pastures and white clouds. The artworks that Dana included capture the theme of nature that was a focus throughout the three month program.
In true ArtBridge fashion, the seniors also collaborated with artists to create murals for the scaffolding surrounding many of the buildings on the NYCHA campus. “Community Garden,” by artist Dana Robinson is installed at 370 Bushwick Ave and 24 Humboldt St. The mural came together by collaging drawings by the Bushwick Houses elders into a playful landscape of green pastures and white clouds. The artworks that Dana included capture the theme of nature that was a focus throughout the three month program.
“We are Bushwick,” by Fernando “Ski” Romero is located at 869 Flushing Ave and 130 Moore St. The artwork layers the artist’s signature black and white street scenes with elements of colorful artworks created by the seniors. Details like flower boxes, portraits of program participants, and heritage flags appear in subway and apartment windows.
Photographs by Paul Katcher
Partners & Sponsors
This program and exhibition were produced by ArtBridge and Oye Group in partnership with the Bushwick Houses Resident Association and JASA Bushwick/Hylan NORC. It was made possible by the City Canvas pilot program — an initiative of the Mayor’s Office and the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs— and the office of Councilmember Jennifer Guttierez.
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