Moving Along

  • "Moving Along."
  • The team interviewed merchants along Atlantic Avenue to learn about what their businesses mean to them and the community.
  • Design sketches were shared in a public convocation where local residents and business owners were invited to give feedback.
  • The team worked like a "well-oiled machine" during fabrication-- some mixed paint while others filled in blocks of color on the ground and on the scaffolding.
  • This project was a magnet for the press, giving members of the Youth Media Council ample opportunities to speak in front of the camera.
  • "Moving Along" creates a safe and inviting gateway between Atlantic Avenue and Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Project Description

“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.

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Project Info

Location: Atlantic Avenue underpass between Hicks and Columbia streets Brooklyn, NY 11201

Fun Facts

Suggested Activity
Stop by the Atlantic Avenue BID and pick up your shopping guide to Atlantic Avenue, highlighting the many great restaurants and shops along this vibrant commercial district.
Research
Brooklyn Bridge Park is an 85-acre post-industrial waterfront site stretching 1.3 miles along Brooklyn’s East River edge. The park was designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates.
Quote
“I feel like we are a community. Even though we are diverse and come from different neighborhoods, we are still able to interact with each other, laugh, and create this amazing mural.” – Helen Zhen, Youth Artist