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Arts & Entertainment

Bringing Art to the Brooklyn Detention Complex

The Groundswell Community Mural Project is exploring the theme of "Restorative Justice."

The Brooklyn Detention Complex is about to get a little more colorful.

On June 22, Community Board 2 approved plans presented by Groundswell Community Mural Project to paint a large-scale mural on the State Street side of the building that explores the theme of “Restorative Justice." Painting begins in August.

The project, which is presented in partnership with the New York City Department of Corrections, is led by artist Chris Soria, a Groundswell mural veteran, and will be painted by assistant artist Misha Tyutyunik and around two dozen Brooklyn youths ranging in age from 14-18 years.

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The two local, established artists will work with the youth participants, some of whom have been formerly incarcerated or court-involved, said Amy Sananman, Executive Director of Groundswell. Together, they will create a sizable mural on a section of the block-long wall.

“[This project] will give the youth a chance to explore a very important issue and express themselves through a professional piece of public art,” said Sananman, who founded the Groundswell Community Mural Project in 1996.

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By bringing together professional artists, New York City’s under-served youth, and grassroots, community organizations, Groundswell uses art as a tool for social change. Their projects turn eyesores into artistic masterpieces that explore critical concepts and themes.

Over the past 15 years, Groundswell has worked with thousands of community members to complete more than 300 collaboratively designed and painted murals throughout the New York City area.

Most of these murals are in Brooklyn and the Bronx, visually transforming neighborhoods and communicating stories of community liberation. The engagement of these murals gives New York City’s youth a chance to express their voice to their surrounding communities and the general public.

Groundswell project themes for 2010 included: Human Rights, the History of Black Veterans for Social Justice, Chinatown Residents' experiences between two cultures, pedestrian safety signs, neighborhood violence and the role of libraries.

This year the New York City Department of Corrections invited Groundswell to use the extensive wall on the State Street side of the House of Detention in order to “create something beautiful,” said Sananman.

“As a social justice organization that works with youth, this seemed like a great opportunity to explore that theme in greater depth,” she said.

Special sponsors of the project include the Court-Livingston-Schermerhorn BID and NU Hotel.

Painting is scheduled to officially begin on August 1, however, before the team begins to stroke their paintbrushes upon the wall, they will spend three weeks researching the concept of “Restorative Justice” by speaking to juvenile justice experts and exploring Buddhist concepts of “mindfulness” through field trips to the Rubin Museum of Art and The Open Center.

On July 26 at 1 p.m. at the NU Hotel on State Street and Atlantic Avenue, the team will share their final mural design to the public. There will also be a community-painting day scheduled for sometime in August in order to give surrounding neighbors an opportunity to get involved.

Youth members who participate in the Groundswell Community Mural Project are funded through the NYC Summer Youth Employment Program and privately secured scholarships.

 "[Groundswell Community Mural Project] tries to put together project teams that  include a mix of more experienced young people who have been involved in our programs before, and teens who are new to us,” said Sharon Polli, the Director of Development and Communications at Groundswell. 

And the benefit to the community is clear: come September, the drab Detention Center will be a sight to be seen.

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