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Friday, June 5, 2009

Artists, teens beautify for women in Bed-Stuy

This is a great story.

BRC Entrance Mural - 85 Lexington Ave B'klyn
The non profit organization Groundswell created a mural for the Bowery Residents' Committee (BRC)'s women's home on Lexington Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant just a stones throw from Clinton Hill.
BRC Entrance Mural - 85 Lexington Ave B'klyn
The mural wraps the interior of the entire vestibule many of the residents complimented the artists and their work at the dedication ceremony held on Wednesday June 3rd.

Many of the residents of the women's home talked about how much the mural has provided them with a lift and greatly increased their mood from the moment they walk through the doorway.

BRC Entrance Mural - 85 Lexington Ave B'klyn


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Organizers from BRC as well as Groundswell said a few words of thanks to the women residents for providing input toward the project which in turn increased the value of and focus of the project.

Groundswell Artists
The artists spoke about their motivations and vision.
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Groundswell Artists
Pictured: Mural Artists Alex Pimienta & Crystal Clarity

Most uplifting to me were the teenagers who worked under the guidance of the groundswell artists.
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The teens were award certificates in recognition of their service in helping the artists to create and add value to the mural effort. It was also mentioned that they demonstrated their own value to the community and to themselves as well.

After all were heard and souls satisfied it was time to sooth and satisfy the stomach...
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...and the barbecue was on and popping.
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I love that the grill master had a chef hat
BRC Entrance Mural - 85 Lexington Ave B'klyn
The work is beautiful and lush, illustrated with welcoming symbols of femininity and warm embracing strokes of line and color.
BRC Awning - 85 Lexington Ave B'klyn
Even from the outside a little of the art shines through.
BRC Awning - 85 Lexington Ave B'klyn
I've noticed the BRC logo for years but never knew precisely what it was about until this event and the subsequent research I did for this piece. BRC is very impressive considering the decades of constant help they've provided to people in need. Check out their site [BRC]. As someone who's family has experienced life's hardships I got the sense in speaking with the residents at 85 Lexington that they had gone through a lot yet remained determined to live valuable lives. The beautiful mural isn't only a tribute to them it's a reflection. It was clear to me how much BRC has helped them rebuild and prosper.
BRC Entrance Mural - 85 Lexington Ave B'klyn-Groundswell Logo
I've followed Groundswell for a few years as their murals have popped up sometimes withing a few feet of my many residencies. Check their site also [Groundswell] Years ago I actually contributed to a Groundswell mural and even though I had the littlest of contributions to it, every time I see that mural, I feel honored to have helped.

happy friday

4 comments:

  1. you are unbelievable!! THANK YOU...does that say enough really...YOU ROCK !

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  2. Crystal you rock...Absolutely Beautiful!!!

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  3. the painting is nice but the place sucks the staff dont help you with nohting and they ciuld care less if you live on the streets or there and the staff dont help you with houseing or anything for that matter the owner really needs to step things up when it caimes to the staff that he hires

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  4. girl you are right the staff there really sucks i mean dont get me wrong i know that you are suppose t help yourealf but got damn they dont even try to help you with anything i would never go back to a place like that

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