Bushwick is one of the coolest neighborhoods in Brooklyn which attracts millions of visitors all over the year. It’s a wonderland full of murals, graffitis, mosaics, portraits, stencils, tags, and big ads and is one of the largest street art projects in the world. At the epicenter of it all, is the Bushwick Collective which spans across a few blocks and hosts vibrant pieces of marvelous art of colossal proportions brought to life by talented local and global artists.
There are many camouflaged artworks all over the area and fresh new murals pop up every now and then, especially during the Bushwick Collective’s block party when there is a heightened artistic activity in the area with renowned international artists visiting and live painting murals as live music plays on.
Bushwick is a paradise for Instagrammers but you can also pause and soak in the mood and underlying expressions in the art adorning this post-industrial neighborhood. A keen eye can see through the artistic expressions stemming out from the frustrations brought about by the social decay of yesteryears.
Once plagued by drugs and crime, this place has seen a transformation like no other, mainly due to the efforts of Joe Ficalora, a Brooklyn local whose inspiring story probably needs a write-up of its own. The rechristening of the place with vibrant art has brought businesses to the neighborhood, and with increased bustle and commercial boom, there has been an influx of artistic talents looking to use this neighborhood as a platform to build their careers. It’s a double-edged sword as the change in the fabric of the neighborhood has accelerated a rise in gentrification which has affected lower-income communities, especially people of color. Whether the same art can be used as a means to preserve Bushwick’s culture in the face of gentrification is yet to be seen.
Getting to Bushwick is easy. Just hop on the L train and head to Brooklyn. You would want to get off at Wycoff Avenue and roam around its side streets, Troutmann and Starr Streets, and of course, the Bushwick collective where you’ll see a ton of murals and graffitis. Feel free to walk a little farther to reward yourself with some more terrific art. You’ll see that it’s everywhere.
A stroll around Bushwick would also give you opportunities to enjoy the food and bar scene and go gallery hopping and thrift shopping. There is a vinyl shop to expand your collection, the famous Brooklyn Beer Garden which combines beer with art, the notorious and the crazy House of Yes for your late-night adrenaline boost, and many restaurants that give you the same hipster vibes inside as the world outside. And of course, do not forget to get the wood-fired pizza from Roberta’s. It’s yum. I promise.