Help Create a New Public Art Installation at Brooklyn Navy Yard
The Brooklyn Navy Yard Calls on Community for “What Shapes Our Brooklyn” Public Art Project
In a vibrant celebration of community, creativity, and cultural identity, the Brooklyn Navy Yard has launched an exciting public art initiative inviting Brooklyn residents to help shape a large-scale installation for its upcoming annual Design Day event. Titled “What Shapes Our Brooklyn,” the project offers locals a unique opportunity to contribute to a dynamic and collaborative work of art that will be displayed prominently on the Navy Yard campus.
A Vision by Artist Phoebe Lo
In 2024, multidimensional artist Phoebe Lo was selected through an open call to interpret the theme “Our Brooklyn” with a site-specific public artwork. Known for her playful, inclusive, and visually engaging art, Lo brings a spirit of joy and community-building to her work. Her commissioned installation will transform Flushing Avenue—specifically the segment between Clermont and Carlton Avenues—into a colorful corridor celebrating the diverse cultural, social, and work lives of Brooklyn’s neighborhoods.
Opening on May 17, the installation will remain on view through November 2, offering a long-term centerpiece within the Brooklyn Navy Yard’s public art landscape.
Your Shape, Your Story
As an integral part of the installation, Lo is calling for community participation through an interactive art contribution. Residents of Brooklyn are invited to express what the borough means to them by submitting a hand-drawn shape. These shapes can be representational—like a local monument or cherished object—or abstract, symbolizing feelings, memories, or experiences tied to Brooklyn’s unique identity.
Submissions are open until April 27 and are free to enter. Selected entries will be woven into the final artwork and publicly showcased at Building 92, the Navy Yard’s public gateway and exhibition space.
Design Day 2024: A Celebration of Innovation and Inclusion
The official unveiling of “What Shapes Our Brooklyn” will coincide with the Brooklyn Navy Yard’s annual Design Day, taking place on Friday, May 17. This year’s event—hosted in partnership with the NYCxDESIGN Festival—embraces the theme “Design is for Everyone.” The program will spotlight innovative work across cutting-edge sectors such as robotics, engineering, and technology while emphasizing creative collaboration across disciplines and communities.
Design Day includes:
– Open studios and an interactive campus-wide open house (12–5 PM)
– Public art installation reveal and artist meet-and-greet (5–8 PM)
– Access to pioneering design and manufacturing spaces housed within the Navy Yard
A Platform for Community Voices
“What Shapes Our Brooklyn” not only adds a new layer to the public art program at the Navy Yard but also elevates the voices of everyday Brooklynites, inviting them to engage with their urban environment through creativity and civic pride. It’s an art installation by the community, for the community—where each shape tells a story and becomes part of something larger.
How to Get Involved
Submitting your shape is easy and open to all Brooklyn residents, regardless of artistic skill level. To participate, visit brooklynnavyyard.org/exhibits for details on submission guidelines and inspiration examples. This is a rare chance to leave your mark on a public artwork that captures the spirit and diversity of Brooklyn.
Whether you’re a lifelong resident or a recent transplant, this is your moment to help define what shapes your Brooklyn. Let your creativity shine—and become part of Brooklyn’s vibrant design legacy.
For more information or to submit your entry, visit: brooklynnavyyard.org/exhibits.