Groundswell's Mural Brings Some Art To Brooklyn House Of Detention

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While walking in Brooklyn Height's recently, I spotted visual artist Chris Soria on a scaffolding putting the finishing touches on a mural entitled "Justice Mandala." The work is on the State Street side of Brooklyn's House of Detention, and breaks up an otherwise large, bland, white wall behind the facility. department Of Correction,

The project is a Community Mural Project by Groundswell, which works together with local artists, youth and community organizations "using art as a tool for social change."

This particular work is a collaboration with the New York City Department Of Correction, Brooklyn Downtown Partnership and the Nu Hotel on Smith Street at the corner of Atlantic Avenue.

"Justice Mandala" was just one of Groundswell's Community Summer Leadership Institute Mural Project. For this large scale work, artist Soria worked together with local youths Akeem Bedward, Jelissa Caldwell, John Cepeda, Alexandra Cibelli, David Hunter, Mei Kazama, Annie Lee, Elizabeth Maroney, Alexis Meza, Raymond Reyes, Elijah Rodriguez, Tyrone Thomas, Thomas Torchio, Isaac Treadwell.

The intent of this art work was to "beautify neighborhoods and give voice to ideas and perspectives that are underrepresented in the public dialogue."