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PUBLIC ART  COMMUNITY MURALS

Brooklyn College, "Kaleidoscopic Ballad" Jan 2024

Leonard & Claire Tow Center for the Performing Arts, Brooklyn College, Brooklyn.  Acrylic, approx 120 sq ft. Lead Artist: Julia Cocuzza. #bklyncollegemuralart

 

About the design: Design was created over the Fall 2023 semester in collaboration with 13 students enrolled in my "Mural Art" course ARTD 3414. Based on community-driven research and engagement, the mural design centers on how the arts can transport and connect us, how creativity is pure freedom that is densely layered in structure. Community partners included BC Art Dept, Tow Center for the Performing Arts, Office of Diversity & Equity, Office of Finance, Office of the President, and Dean of the School of Visual Media and Performing Arts.

Watch us paint in the time-lapse video and read more in BC Brief.

Groundswell + Paramount + IS 136 + Center for Family Life, "Murals for Change: Together Under the Sun" Aug 2023

IS 136, 40th Street between 3rd & 4th Ave, Brooklyn.  Acrylic, approx 1000 sq ft. Lead Artist: Julia Cocuzza. Assistant Artist: Lina Montoya #groundswellnyc

About the design: Designed and painted with a dozen youth (ages 15-22) during weekly sessions in the spring and full-time for six weeks, including one community paint day. Part of Groundswell's 2023 Summer Institute Leadership program, in collaboration with Paramount media company, Center for Family Life, and IS 136. This mural design, located in Sunset Park, incorporates many themes including community, togetherness with nature and one’s environment, land acknowledgement, cultural diversity and connection, self-expression and self-empowerment, access to education and employment opportunity. The central element is the sun, which connects all of us, past/present/future.

Brooklyn College, "Cinematic Escape of Sight and Sound" Dec 2022

Film Dept, 2nd Floor West End Building, Brooklyn College, Brooklyn.  Acrylic, approx 200 sq ft. Lead Artist: Julia Cocuzza. #bklyncollegemuralart

About the design: Design was created over the Fall 2022 semester in collaboration with 13 students enrolled in ARTD 4450. Based on community-driven research and engagement, the design is about the layers and life cycle of film production, from development through distribution, with an emphasis on the core elements of sight, sound, and time.  The focal point features three figures representing three major elements of film making: the camera (visual, sense of sight), sound/boom (auditory, sense of hearing), and editing (manipulation of time/space). Spilling from these figures in all directions are the many other important roles and processes behind film making, including story boarding, writing, acting, costume design, light design, and post-production CGI. Composition also emphasizes the many seen-and-unseen geometric planes and angles in the experience of film production. In contrast to the multiple red walls throughout the room, the color pallet is mostly cool with blues, greens, and yellows. Community partners included BC Art Dept, Film Dept, Office of Diversity & Equity, Office of Finance, and Office of the President.

Watch us paint in the time-lapse video and read more in BC Brief.

Groundswell + Paramount + NYCHA, "Murals for Change: 4-Season Amphitheater" Aug 2022

Louis Armstrong Houses, Lexington Ave between Nostrand & Bedford Ave, Brooklyn.  Acrylic, approx 1500 sq ft. Lead Artist: Julia Cocuzza. #groundswellnyc

About the design: Designed and painted with a dozen youth (ages 15-22) during weekly sessions in the spring and full-time for six weeks, including one community paint day. Part of Groundswell's 2022 Summer Institute Leadership program, in collaboration with Paramount media company and Louis Armstrong Houses community, This mural is meant to activate the space as a creative amphitheater, celebrating both individual self-expression and the community as a whole. From left to right, life in Bed Stuy is illustrated over the four seasons of the year, winter through fall, enveloping the viewer on all sides while people use their voice and creativity through various media forms: writing, music, painting, video, photography, and activism.  This mural is simultaneously a declaration of affection for the Bed Stuy community as well as encouragement every individual to be creative, be heard, and share your voice with the world. 

Watch Paramount's video about this project and their "Content for Change" program.

Moulin Rouge! The Musical + Groundswell + AIM Innovations Inc., "LOVE" murals, Sept 2021

115-62 Sutphin Blvd, South Jamaica (Queens), NY. Acrylic, approx 300 sq ft. Lead Artist: Julia Cocuzza. #groundswellnyc

About the design: In a unique collaboration with the Broadway show Moulin Rouge! The Musical and arts non-profit AIM Innovation, this mural was created by and for the South Jamaica community and is about love in its many forms. It centers on the “first love” between mother and infant, then ripples outward into love of family, friendship, romantic love, community, and love of the arts. For more, check out this fabulous video produced by Moulin Rouge! The Musical about this community mural initiative. Also catch my 1-minute time-lapse video painting in the studio.

ArtBridge + Oficina Design, "A Fresh Start" Sept 2021

Private location, Queens, NY.  Acrylic, approx 150 sq ft. Lead Artist: Julia Cocuzza. #artbridge

About the design: In a unique collaboration with ArtBridge, Oficina Design, and additional silent stakeholders, this mural was designed for and with residents of domestic violence shelters in New York City. Project included in-person community art workshops with mothers and children of all ages in Summer 2021, centering around themes of rebirth, transformation, and family. Check out my 45-second time-lapse video of the painting process.

NY Philharmonic + Groundswell, "BANDWAGON 2" May 2021

Temporary installations in May 2021: Domino Park (Brooklyn), Marcus Garvey Park (Harlem), and Father Giagante Plaza (Bronx). Acrylic on polytab, two murals, 11x11 ft each. Artist: Julia Cocuzza. #nyphilbandwagon

About the design: Commissioned by NY Philharmonic in partnership with Groundswell for the 2021 NY Phil Bandwagon 2, a four-week traveling festival across four boroughs.  Design was conceptualized in partnership with NY Phil's community partners including National Black Theater, El Puente (BK), Casita Maria (BX), Flushing Town Hall, and A Better Jamaica.  This design celebrates the resilient healing power of spring, music, and our community.

Groundswell + Ali Forney Center, "EARTH FIRE AIR WATER" August 2020

NYC (private residence). Acrylic on concrete, approx 200 sq ft. Lead Artist: Julia Cocuzza. #groundswellnyc

About the design: Created for the new Bea Arthur Garden at the Ali Forney Center, a non-profit that provides housing and other services for homeless LGBTQ youth. During the remote community engagement session, staff and residents indicated they wanted nature and non-figurative subject matter. They had a strong interest in astrology, zen, flowers, and natural elements of all forms. This design is structured by the four elements (earth, fire, air, and water) and the flowers, wildlife, and zodiac signs associated with each. Painted in two days, including one community paint day with residents, staff, and stakeholders.

NYC MURAL ART PROJECT/DEPT OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE, "FEELING ALL FOUR SEASONS, BRIDGING ALL FOUR SEASONS" at PS 24, 38th Street and 4th Ave, Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Completed June 2019, Dedicated October 2019. Lead Artist: Julia Cocuzza.

 

Created over 9 months in collaboration with adult peers from mental health community at Baltic Street AEH, students and staff from PS 24, and NYC's Dept of Health & Mental Hygiene. Design was developed and painted over 26 weekly workshops at Baltic, 4 open studio and design review events at PS 24, and 1 community paint day at PS 24. Acrylic on Polytab, approx. 2800 sq ft. Extension of mural installed at nearby Baltic Street Wellness Center in September 2019. 

About the design: One's trauma or diagnosis does not define a person, just like our race, gender or other stigmatizing labels do not define us. We all struggle with mental health and those in the mental health community are just like you: We experience all four seasons in New York City, we cycle through emotional highs and lows, and we all seek connection, understanding and compassion — from family and strangers alike — just like everyone else.

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