Art in the Parks

Orange Kaleidoscope is constructed from 56 mirrors and steel. It replaces the camera lens with the human eye, inviting poetic optical explorations within and beyond the urban landscape. Looking through it reveals its power to construct and deconstruct the surrounding environment, while the sculpture patiently awaits the viewer, ready to reflect and project their presence.

Radar Kaleidoscope looks to both sky and land, interweaving science, mathematics, and nature into an amplified image. It captures and reinterprets the surrounding landscape, transforming it into multiple perspectives that offer a fresh view of the world. These diverse interpretations invite viewers to experience their environment as if gazing into an entirely different realm.

This exhibition is presented by the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum.

This mural was created by Talisa Almonte and features the Tennessee warbler and obedient plant, spotted joe-pye weed, and swamp milkweed. As part of the Audubon Mural Project, a public-art initiative drawing attention to birds that are vulnerable to extinction from climate change, NYC Parks GreenThumb partnered with National Audubon Society,  Gitler &_____ Gallery, and local artists to design murals on sheds at GreenThumb community gardens across New York City. Through a collaborative process between the partners, artist, and community garden group, each mural was designed to feature climate-threatened birds that rely on green spaces like these urban gardens and native plants that birds depend on for food and shelter.

Morris Park Stars encourages the surrounding community to aim for the stars, translatable across all cultures, bringing a sense of joy, energy and exuberance. The installation enhances Loreto Playground as the center of the Morris Park neighborhood, where families spend time together, exercise, socialize and enjoy the outdoors. The installation consists of nine “stars” forming a 110-foot-long dynamic light fixture that changes colors and patterns to accompany culturally relevant community celebrations and special occasions.

This exhibition is presented by the Morris Park Business Improvement District.

This mural was created by D. Gale and features the yellow warbler and field thistle, butterfly milkweed, common blue violet, and eastern redbud. As part of the Audubon Mural Project, a public-art initiative drawing attention to birds that are vulnerable to extinction from climate change, NYC Parks GreenThumb partnered with National Audubon Society,  Gitler &_____ Gallery, and local artists to design murals on sheds at GreenThumb community gardens across New York City. Through a collaborative process between the partners, artist, and community garden group, each mural was designed to feature climate-threatened birds that rely on green spaces like these urban gardens and native plants that birds depend on for food and shelter.

Inspired by a community that cares for all its residents, this mural is dedicated to the people of Echo Park.

This exhibition is presented by Friends of Echo Park, with support from the City Parks Foundation and Partnerships for Parks.

This mural was created by Geobany Rodriguez and features the blue-winged warbler and purple coneflower. As part of the Audubon Mural Project, a public-art initiative drawing attention to birds that are vulnerable to extinction from climate change, NYC Parks GreenThumb partnered with National Audubon Society,  Gitler &_____ Gallery, and local artists to design murals on sheds at GreenThumb community gardens across New York City. Through a collaborative process between the partners, artist, and community garden group, each mural was designed to feature climate-threatened birds that rely on green spaces like these urban gardens and native plants that birds depend on for food and shelter.

American Gold: A Ship of Human Bondage is an Augmented Reality (AR) installation based on slave ships and enslaved people. The installation describes the captives as figures made of gold. American Gold aims to draw attention to the monetary value of captives and the inhumane treatment of African captives. American Gold makes the slave ship an almost invisible structure that floats above the viewer, giving the viewer a glimpse of how many people were squeezed into a slaving vessel from below. The installation is part of a larger series of art installations about slavery called Slavery Trails, placed at historical sites throughout the United States.

This mural was created by Peach Tao and features the swamp swallow and black cherry. As part of the Audubon Mural Project, a public-art initiative drawing attention to birds that are vulnerable to extinction from climate change, NYC Parks GreenThumb partnered with National Audubon Society,  Gitler &_____ Gallery, and local artists to design murals on sheds at GreenThumb community gardens across New York City. Through a collaborative process between the partners, artist, and community garden group, each mural was designed to feature climate-threatened birds that rely on green spaces like these urban gardens and native plants that birds depend on for food and shelter.

Stretching across the entirety of Lenox Academy's basketball court, this mural captures the essence of courage, love, and valor through a dynamic portrayal of two iconic figures, Lover Boy and Lenox Academy Mascot. At the top stands Lover Boy, a beloved character known for his unwavering compassion and empathy is the King of Hearts. Opposite stands the Fox King, representing the indomitable spirit of Lenox Academy's mascot. The Fox King exudes confidence and determination, urging students to channel their inner strength and tenacity on the court. Despite their differences, the King of Hearts and the Fox King share a profound connection, symbolizing the unity of love and courage in the pursuit of victory. Our hope is as students step onto the royal court, they are enveloped by the mural's powerful message: to be brave, loving, and valiant in both sport and life.

This exhibition is presented by Project Backboard and the NYC Department of Education.

Table Talk honors the resilience, creativity, and unity of Brownsville. It is part of Pitkin Avenue BID’s efforts to uplift Zion Triangle as a welcoming, inclusive, and inspiring public space for all. The installation offers a space for neighbors to come together, share stories, exchange ideas, and find moments of rest and reflection. Translucent hexagons capture and refract light, casting a dynamic, colorful glow onto the surface below. Each hexagon has a handwritten message from community members responding to the prompt: “Brownsville is…”

This exhibition is presented by the NYC Department of Mental Health and Hygiene and the Pitkin Avenue BID.

This mural was created by Farid Hadechini and features the rose-breasted grosbeak and American tree sparrow and red mulberry and America pokeweed. As part of the Audubon Mural Project, a public-art initiative drawing attention to birds that are vulnerable to extinction from climate change, NYC Parks GreenThumb partnered with National Audubon Society,  Gitler &_____ Gallery, and local artists to design murals on sheds at GreenThumb community gardens across New York City. Through a collaborative process between the partners, artist, and community garden group, each mural was designed to feature climate-threatened birds that rely on green spaces like these urban gardens and native plants that birds depend on for food and shelter.

This mural was created by Vanesa Alvarez Diaz and features the northern waterthrush and common foxglove, Canada goldenrod, common boneset, New England aster, and common milkweed. As part of the Audubon Mural Project, a public-art initiative drawing attention to birds that are vulnerable to extinction from climate change, NYC Parks GreenThumb partnered with National Audubon Society,  Gitler &_____ Gallery, and local artists to design murals on sheds at GreenThumb community gardens across New York City. Through a collaborative process between the partners, artist, and community garden group, each mural was designed to feature climate-threatened birds that rely on green spaces like these urban gardens and native plants that birds depend on for food and shelter.

This mural was created by Yukiko Izumi and features the blackpoll warbler and black-eyed Susan, elderberry, New England aster, blue wild indigo and tall boneset. As part of the Audubon Mural Project, a public-art initiative drawing attention to birds that are vulnerable to extinction from climate change, NYC Parks GreenThumb partnered with National Audubon Society,  Gitler &_____ Gallery, and local artists to design murals on sheds at GreenThumb community gardens across New York City. Through a collaborative process between the partners, artist, and community garden group, each mural was designed to feature climate-threatened birds that rely on green spaces like these urban gardens and native plants that birds depend on for food and shelter.

A work from the artist’s Monuments to Motherhood series, the fifteen-foot-tall bronze sculpture honors caregiving in all its forms, recognizing those who nurture, sustain, and support their communities—often in ways that go unseen. Across the country, public statuary rarely reflects these essential contributions, and the role of care remains largely overlooked in civic spaces. This sculpture offers a powerful acknowledgment of those whose labor holds society together and stands as a testament to the generations that came before us.

This exhibition is presented by the Prospect Park Alliance.

Created by Brooklyn-based artist Tiffany Baker, this fence installation is part of a multi-site mural exhibition that turns the voices of Gowanus residents into public art and illustrates their experiences with flooding in the neighborhood. To create The Dear Neighbor Project, Tiffany connected with community leaders, local organizations, business owners, and residents to learn more about the impact of flooding in Gowanus. She then organized interviews with residents about their personal experiences with flooding, ranging from long-time residents to newer arrivals, and middle schoolers to older adults. Her art installations illustrate and directly quote from these residents’ stories — sharing their experiences, advice, and stories of community support during flood events.

This exhibition is presented by the Van Alen Institute.

This piece depicts the legend of the alligator in the NYC sewers. It deals with two interesting aspects of our world; our need for gods, myths, and legends much like any other civilization prior to ours, and our habit of creating invasive species by moving animals from their natural habitats to human environments.

This exhibition is presented by Mollbrinks Gallery.

Every spring, 15 young people from neighborhoods across Brooklyn participate in a digital photography internship that teaches a documentary style of photography focused on issues related to their neighborhoods and self-exploration. The goals of this program aim to empower participants, develop their personal voice as artists, and teach them to harness the power of visual storytelling.

This project employs professional photographers to teach participants photography skills, and engages students through a series of workshops, class critiques, and field trips, all culminating in a final exhibit. Teaching artists and assistants on staff at the Red Hook Community Justice Center facilitate workshops in which students craft visual stories from their own unique perspectives.

This exhibition is presented by the Red Hook Community Justice Center and Photoville.

The Slave Market : Wall Street is an Augmented Reality (AR) installation that presents the 1711 slave market in New York City where enslaved African Americans and Native Americans were sold. New York Slave Conspiracy of 1741 commemorates hanging, burning, exiling, and mass arrest of enslaved Africans and poor whites who were wrongfully accused of plotting an uprising. The installation is part of a larger series of art installations about slavery called Slavery Trails, placed at historical sites throughout the United States.

A central theme in this design are the crosswalks of NYC. Figures are seen playing sports including basketball, tennis, soccer, and pickleball. These figures take inspiration from the crosswalk ‘walk’ icon that serves as a guide for the path that we all take to get to our beloved NYC Parks.

This exhibition is presented by SPORTIME and John McEnroe Tennis Academy

Designed and painted by the students, art teachers, and parents of PS 198 and PS 77, this mural features a colorful collection of flowers, leaves, and pollinators in a bright, bold whimsical style. This mural was made possible with the generous support of New York City Councilmember Julie Menin, Partnership for Parks, the Hellgate Hill Community Association, the PS 198 and PS 77 parent teacher associations, and the local community.

This mural was created by Carla Torres and features the house wren and common milkweed. As part of the Audubon Mural Project, a public-art initiative drawing attention to birds that are vulnerable to extinction from climate change, NYC Parks GreenThumb partnered with National Audubon Society,  Gitler &_____ Gallery, and local artists to design murals on sheds at GreenThumb community gardens across New York City. Through a collaborative process between the partners, artist, and community garden group, each mural was designed to feature climate-threatened birds that rely on green spaces like these urban gardens and native plants that birds depend on for food and shelter.

This exhibition features nine monumental, resin sculptures by French sculptor Michel Bassompierre, depicting peaceful animals who seem to be caught in the intimacy of their lives. Favouring animals with round shapes, Asian elephants, gorillas, bears or even horses, Bassompierre achieves a form that is both soft and precise, where light never clashes with shadow.

This exhibition is presented by Galeries Bartoux, Patrons of Park Avenue, and the Murray Hill Neighborhood Association.

This mural was created by Pelumi Adegawa and features the gray catbird and native sunflower, milkweed, lobelia, and wild strawberry. As part of the Audubon Mural Project, a public-art initiative drawing attention to birds that are vulnerable to extinction from climate change, NYC Parks GreenThumb partnered with National Audubon Society,  Gitler &_____ Gallery, and local artists to design murals on sheds at GreenThumb community gardens across New York City. Through a collaborative process between the partners, artist, and community garden group, each mural was designed to feature climate-threatened birds that rely on green spaces like these urban gardens and native plants that birds depend on for food and shelter.

Portals of Remembrance features three new monuments in augmented reality (AR) created by renowned contemporary artists. This exhibition honors and illuminates the stories of underrepresented figures within the HIV/AIDS movement through three virtual monuments created by celebrated artists, Derek Fordjour, Jacolby Satterwhite, Tourmaline, and Egyptt LaBeija, reimagining the New York City AIDS Memorial as a dynamic site of memory and empowerment.

Derek Fordjour’s Cellular Chaser draws inspiration from his acclaimed Black jockey series, using the imagery of the jockey and horse to explore themes of hypervisibility, death, disappearance, and stalled progress. Expanding on the themes from Tourmaline’s short film Atlantic is a Sea of Bones and Egyptt LaBeija’s enduring legacy, their work creates an experience that is both a tribute and a testament to personal and collective histories of Black queer and trans resilience. Jacolby Satterwhite’s You Make Me Feel Mighty Real is a tribute to Sylvester, the trailblazer who revolutionized mainstream music with unapologetic, Black, queer humanity and jubilance.

This exhibition is presented by the NYC AIDS Memorial and Kinfolk.

Originally created for an exhibition at Museum Tinguely in Basel, Switzerland, the ten-foot-tall sculpture takes the shape of a giant pink foot and lower leg topped with a working sprinkler. The creature-like work is playfully dotted with tongues sticking out from small lipsticked mouths, and each toenail is painted haphazardly with bright red nail polish. Foot Fountain (pink) is activated by pedals installed nearby. It irreverently reimagines traditional fountains, which are often placed in the center of squares or gardens with water that is self-contained. Instead, Foot Fountain (pink) interacts more intimately with its surroundings, using water to nourish both the place and the people around it.

This exhibition is presented by The High Line.

Happy to See You, a vibrant public art installation by local artist Marya Triandafellos, is designed to inspire joy and positivity. The installation features colorful, minimalist images displayed on a wrought iron fence on the Greenwich Street side of Washington Market Park. Happy to See You offers a playful visual engagement to brighten the area. With saturated colors and abstracted shapes like clouds, fish, and flowers, the installation evokes universal themes of connection, positivity, and community.

This exhibition is presented by the Friends of Washington Market Park.

Elder Flowers presents striking color prints of flowers captured past their “prime.” Using the natural process of decomposition, these intricate images invite reflection on maturation, wisdom, and mortality. Beautiful and contemplative, they echo the elegance of 19th- and 20th-century master photographs while remaining distinctly contemporary in style and technique.

This exhibition is presented by El Taller Latino Americano.

This exhibition is presented by HESSE FLATOW and the Broadway Mall Association.

This exhibition is presented by West Harlem Art Fund and New York Artists Equity Association.

The exhibition features eight bronzes recently cast from wood sculptures Mosley made between 1996 and 2021. The bronze sculptures range from human scale to the monumental Gate III, while varied patinas and textures preserve the original surfaces as well as the tactile presence of his hand and chisel. Mosley draws on influences as varied as modernist sculpture, his collection of Western African masks, and the genre of jazz, to realize a deeply humanist body of sculptures through distillation, invention, and improvisation.

This exhibition is presented by Public Art Fund.

American Gold: A Ship of Human Bondage is an Augmented Reality (AR) installation based on slave ships and enslaved people. The installation describes the captives as figures made of gold. American Gold aims to draw attention to the monetary value of captives and the inhumane treatment of African captives. American Gold makes the slave ship an almost invisible structure that floats above the viewer, giving the viewer a glimpse of how many people were squeezed into a slaving vessel from below. The installation is part of a larger series of art installations about slavery called Slavery Trails, placed at historical sites throughout the United States.

This exhibition is presented by the Friends of Yellowstone Park.

This mural was created by Jessie Salinas and features the sharp shinned hawk and common yarrow. As part of the Audubon Mural Project, a public-art initiative drawing attention to birds that are vulnerable to extinction from climate change, NYC Parks GreenThumb partnered with National Audubon Society,  Gitler &_____ Gallery, and local artists to design murals on sheds at GreenThumb community gardens across New York City. Through a collaborative process between the partners, artist, and community garden group, each mural was designed to feature climate-threatened birds that rely on green spaces like these urban gardens and native plants that birds depend on for food and shelter.

This exhibition is presented by The Woodhaven Mural Project.

This exhibition is presented by Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy, Friends of the Beach 59th Street Playground Association, Sol de Vida, Work of Art Holdings, and 7G Group.

 This 6 foot tall sculpture symbolizes the diversity of people from different nationalities and cultures who have chosen to live together in Queens and share their ideas, dreams, history, food and customs. The font is the same one used for the I Love New York campaign, American Typewriter, and the colors are based on the Queens flag.

This mural features inspirational words and phrases painted on several perimeter walls inside the park. The positive message, bright colors, and dynamic designs serve to create a healthy and active environment.

This exhibition is presented Thrive Collective, Projectivity Group, NYC Department of Youth & Community Development, and District 49/Councilwoman Kamillah M. Hanks.