The Public Housing Community Fund and the New York City Housing Authority unveiled Bushwick Rooted, a permanent public art installation surrounding the Bushwick Houses Community Center in Brooklyn.
The aluminum-and-vinyl installation transforms the site's fencing into a colorful display celebrating the community's cultural heritage, shared identity and resilience.
The installation, unveiled on July 17, was created through a collaborative design process involving lead artist Crystal Clarity, designer Ifeoma Ebo, 618 Design and Bushwick Houses residents.
“Bushwick Rooted celebrates the history, culture, and lived experiences of this remarkable community while showcasing the extraordinary creativity that thrives within public housing," said Alex Zablocki, executive director of the Public Housing Community Fund.
Community members contributed artwork featuring food, wildlife and neighborhood-inspired motifs that reflect their lived experiences and the neighborhood's history.
The Public Housing Community Fund partnered with Grand Street Settlement and the Bushwick Houses Resident Association throughout the project to ensure the final design reflected residents' ideas and priorities. The installation is also part of NYCHA's Connected Communities initiative, which supports improvements to public spaces through community-driven partnerships.
The project highlights the role residents play in shaping their neighborhoods while celebrating the culture and history of one of Brooklyn's longstanding public housing communities.
By incorporating local stories and traditions into a permanent public art installation, the project strengthens community pride, enhances a shared public space and demonstrates how creative collaboration can preserve neighborhood identity. It also reflects a broader effort to make public spaces more welcoming and representative of the people who use them every day, officials said.
