New community-led murals for Gun Violence Awareness Month showcase how art can cultivate safety and connection.
Join us on July 15 for a webinar discussion on building youth and community power with our Neighbors in Action team.
Safety is much more than the absence of crime. It’s something that can be felt in moments of connection and joy. It can be heard in the sound of children laughing, in conversations echoing on the street.
And safety can be seen in vibrant public spaces—as two new murals in Crown Heights, Brooklyn demonstrate.
Painted with and for the community, the murals were supported by Artolution, artist Joel Bergner, and our Save Our Streets team in Brooklyn. Save Our Streets prevents gun violence by defusing conflicts and supporting young people with mentorship, resources, and meaningful opportunities.
The murals are a prime example of community-led design, where residents take the lead on bringing public spaces to life. Besides cultivating a sense of safety, both the murals and the collaborative process of creating them open up opportunities for belonging and connection.
At the center of one mural is a young Black boy looking out directly towards the viewer. A golden crown sits on his head at a tilt in an homage to Brooklyn rapper Notorious B.I.G. Within his face—cast half in purple, half in orange—are smaller faces and characters, rendered in round, bold lines as if drawn in chalk.
On either side of the mural, against a golden-orange backdrop, are many familiar Brooklyn sights: a zigzagging 3 train, apartment buildings, kids jumping rope and playing basketball. Three-dimensional designs mingle with more playful 2D drawings. Famous names and quotes—including “New York Knicks 2026”—sit alongside young people’s initials in a fitting display of the blending of the collective and the personal, the public and the private.
Another mural features bold letters of orange and blue that spell out “Stop shooting, start living”—one of our Save Our Streets team’s mottos. Take a step closer and you can see countless words, affirmations, and names written by residents and young people within each letter. One section features colorful font with the Notorious B.I.G.’s famous line, “Spread love, it’s the Brooklyn way.”
To celebrate the finished product, our Save Our Streets team worked with Artolution and local partners to host an unveiling event and cookout. Neighbors gathered to take in their collective work, share food, and access local resources while kids enjoyed ice cream and played carnival games.
Across New York City, we prevent violence by investing in solutions created by and for the people most impacted. In Crown Heights, one of those creative solutions will now serve as a source of beauty and hope for years to come.