Community-engaged art | Hand-painted Banner

The Climate Justice Lives Here project was a community-engaged initiative that brought together residents of Sunset Park to actively participate in the creation of a large-scale, hand-painted banner. As Arts & Culture Coordinator for UPROSE, Brooklyn’s oldest Latino organization focused on Climate Justice, I led this project, which aimed to visually represent the neighborhood’s collective vision for a climate-just future. The centerpiece of the project was a 5 feet by 18 feet banner featuring a map of Sunset Park, painted with the input of local community members.

We led a workshop where participants discussed the concept of climate justice and explored ways to translate these ideas into visual forms. The community was encouraged to share what they hoped to see in their neighborhood, dreaming of a greener, more inclusive environment. Afterward, each participant intervened on the map, adding their personal touch and ideas. The initiative culminated with the addition of the words “Climate Justice Lives Here,” painted by me on the banner, symbolizing the collective spirit of the project and our commitment to climate justice. This project highlights the power of participatory art in advocating for climate justice while fostering community cohesion and ownership of public space.