"The Heartbeat of Gowanus" 2024 Mural- Groundswell Paint Day and Mural Dedication in Gowanus

Groundswell Community Mural Project and Fifth Avenue Committee hosted a community paint day and mural dedication celebrating The Heartbeat of Gowanus, a 100-foot mural at the FAC Center for Community Development (182 4th Avenue, Brooklyn). Created by lead artists Kristy McCarthy and Yolande Delius with 13 youth artists from Groundswell’s Voices Her’d Visionaries program, the mural honors the legacy of local organizers and the women-led and BIPOC-led movements that have shaped Gowanus through advocacy, resilience, and collective action.

Inspired by community conversations, local history, and environmental justice efforts, the mural features vibrant imagery of the Gowanus Canal, green spaces, and scenes of neighborhood life—reflecting a shared vision for a more equitable and sustainable future. The project celebrated the power of youth leadership, community storytelling, and public art to uplift neighborhood voices.