The Golden Birdcage

Groundswells first project organized Latino youth living in Williamsburg. Through numerous drawing sessions the group generated the mural's theme, How Our People Left Everything Behind to Struggle to Build a Better Life Only to Find Ourselves Trapped and Isolated in the "Golden Birdcage", which deals with the complex sacrifices made by immigrant parents leaving their homeland to improve life for their children. The project made a significant impact in the community. Polish and Italian neighbors as well as local graffiti artists stopped to talk with the boys about their work. In addition, the youth interacted daily with the Hasidic owners and workers at the chocolate factory on which the mural was painted. These interactions grew into summer and weekend jobs for some of the youth. Note: this mural no longer exists at this location.