Bushwick IMPACT mural, by Hrag Vartanian

Sunday afternoon was the Bushwick Arts and Neighborhood Sustainability Forum, followed by the Bushwick IMPACT Garden Party. Despite the heat and general exhaustion at the end of a jam-packed weekend, both events were well attended by a variety of stake-holders: Arts in Bushwick volunteers, neighborhood residents, local artists, IMPACT parents and staff, and representatives from Bushwick schools and United Way.

Moderated by Laura Braslow, the discussion wound up centering around Arts in Bushwick’s current and continuing role in the community, and the best ways for various populations in Bushwick to find points of intersection and common language.

The garden party shifted the atmosphere from serious to silly, as everyone moved outside to admire the recently complete Bushwick IMPACT mural (pictured above), sniff flowers in the newly planted garden, and sip lemonade. IMPACT will need volunteers to help tend the garden all summer! If you are interested in participating, please email Chloë Bass.

Anna and I stopped by Bushwick Impact on Central Avenue last Sunday, to check out the collaborative efforts of Arts in Bushwick volunteers, The United Way of New York City, local children and families, BI staff and parent advocates, to create a community mural and safe garden play space for visitors to the center. The unveiling of the mural and garden party will take place on Sunday, June 8, as part of the Bushwick Open Studios & Arts Festival.

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