Community Voices in Bloom: BEMAC at the Juneteenth Celebration in Brower Park

On June 19th, the Brooklyn Emerging Mural Artist Coalition (BEMAC) joined in the vibrant and joyful Juneteenth celebration at Brower Park, bringing art, reflection, and collective imagination to the heart of Crown Heights. In partnership with the Pollinator Garden, we set up an interactive art station that invited neighbors of all ages to create, connect, and envision a future rooted in growth and care.

At the center of our setup was a collaborative mural project guided by a simple but powerful prompt: "What do you want to grow?" Using paint markers and other art materials, around 60 community members—children, teens, adults, and elders—responded through colors, words, and imagery that spoke to personal hopes, communal healing, environmental justice, and dreams for the future.

The artwork generated during this event will not simply live on paper. These collected expressions will serve as inspiration for a new mural design to be painted on the rainwater collection barrels in the Pollinator Garden at Brower Park. By incorporating community voice into the creative process, we hope to reflect the aspirations and values of those who steward and cherish this green space.

We’re deeply grateful to everyone who stopped by our table, shared their vision, and contributed to this living conversation about growth. And we’re honored to have collaborated with the Brower Park Pollinator Garden, whose work nurturing biodiversity and community continues to inspire.

Stay tuned for updates as the mural design takes shape—and thank you for growing with us