Malcolm is a blogger and lifelong New Yorker who currently lives in Brooklyn. His mission is to share his world travels and his love of Brooklyn with you! Check out his blog at: malcolmtravels.com

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Come Along For A Brooklyn Street Art Tour

Welcome to Brooklyn, where the walls and streets become a canvas for some of the coolest street art you'll ever see. Walk through the colorful streets of Brooklyn and discover the fantastic murals that make this New York City borough unique.

Brooklyn's street art tells a story of change and expression. It's more than just pretty pictures; it's about the people, the history, and the vibrant culture that makes Brooklyn unique. From the famous murals in Bushwick to the hidden gems in DUMBO and Williamsburg, every piece of art has its tale.

Explore places like the Bushwick Collective, where art turns streets into open-air art galleries, and JMZ Walls, where creativity meets the city's hustle and bustle. Each neighborhood in Brooklyn shows off its style and flair through street art.

Get ready to view Brooklyn in a whole new way. Join us as we discover the best street art and murals that make Brooklyn a fantastic place to explore. Let's go on an art adventure together!

History of Brooklyn Street Art

The Early Days: Graffiti's Arrival (Late 1960s - 1970s)

In the late 1960s and 1970s, graffiti artists from Philadelphia brought their vibrant art to Brooklyn.

The borough's large warehouse buildings and subway trains became their canvas, transforming the urban landscape into a moving art exhibit and one of the largest street art projects.

Hip Hop and Graffiti Merge (1970s)

During the 1970s, graffiti intertwined with the emerging hip-hop culture, creating a unique and bold urban art form. Brooklyn became home to this exciting new cultural blend.

Transition to New Canvases (1980s)

The 1980s saw a shift as the city's anti-graffiti efforts pushed artists from subway trains to the walls of Brooklyn's industrial areas. These new spaces became popular for graffiti, continuing the borough's artistic legacy.

Rise of the Bushwick Collective (2013)

In 2013, Joseph Ficalora initiated the Bushwick Collective, transforming Bushwick into an open-air art gallery. This project attracted artists globally and revolutionized the neighborhood.

The annual Bushwick Collective Block Party highlights this transformation, celebrating street art's vibrancy and community impact.

Brooklyn Street Art Today

Brooklyn's street art scene is a diverse and vibrant display of creativity, boasting everything from bubble tags to grand murals and innovative wheat pastes and stencils.

Despite some neighborhoods undergoing gentrification, the borough remains a treasure trove of authentic works by international street artists.

This variety of street art styles beautifies the borough and reflects Brooklyn's rich culture. For street art enthusiasts, Brooklyn remains an essential destination, offering a vivid and ever-evolving urban canvas that captivates and inspires.

Top Places for Brooklyn Street Art and Murals

1. Bushwick Street Art Collective

In Brooklyn's Bushwick neighborhood, something special is happening. The Bushwick Street Art Collective has turned this area into an amazing open-air art gallery.

Started in 2011 by local Joe Ficalora, it's now where fantastic street art created by artists worldwide comes to life.

Bushwick was once a prominent industrial neighborhood, and now it's a colorful and exciting spot for tourists and art lovers. Artists like Blek Le Rat, Case Ma'Claim, and Pixel Pancho have left their mark here, making the streets a visual feast.

The Collective hosts a block party annually to celebrate art and the community. Artists paint new murals amidst music, food, and a vibrant atmosphere.

Bushwick is a must-visit spot in Brooklyn for anyone interested in street art. It's not just about the murals but also how art can unite a community.

2. JMZ Walls Along Bushwick & Bed-Stuy

JMZ Walls is a cool street art project along the J/M/Z subway lines in Brooklyn's Bushwick neighborhood. Started in 2014 by Alberto Mejia and the JMZ Walls group, the goal was to make the subway lines and streets around them more colorful and artistic.

The art stretches along the JMZ train tracks on Broadway, especially around Myrtle Avenue and Broadway. Walking around here, you'll see many amazing murals and artworks.

JMZ Walls involves the community, with residents offering their spaces for artists to paint. Both local Brooklyn artists and artists from all over the world get to show off their art right here in the neighborhood.

JMZ Walls is yet another Bushwick street art gem that you must see. It's all about adding beauty to the city's everyday spaces, one wall at a time.

3. Bed-Stuy Street Art

Bed-Stuy in Brooklyn is a neighborhood where street art is a big deal. It's not just about cool pictures; it's about showing the rich culture and history of African-American, African, and Caribbean communities.

The murals here often feature famous people and local heroes, like the rapper Biggie Smalls, who was from Bed-Stuy.

What's great about the street art in Bed-Stuy is how it brings everyone in the neighborhood together. A project called BedStuy Walls gets everyone involved in creating and enjoying art. They even have block parties and events that make painting walls fun for the whole family.

The best part is that the art in Bed-Stuy is constantly changing. New murals are always popping up, so there's always something new to see. Famous artists like Banksy have even left their mark here.

Looking for other fun ideas in Bed-Stuy? Check out my post here about my favorite neighborhood in Brooklyn: Things to Do In Bed Stuy.

2) DUMBO Walls

In Brooklyn's DUMBO neighborhood, the DUMBO Walls project has turned the streets into an exciting outdoor art gallery. This project that started in 2012 has brought stunning murals to a four-block area along the underpass of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway near the York Street subway station.

Big names in the art world like CAM, DALeast, Eltono, Shepard Fairey, and Faith47 have contributed their talents here. These murals aren't just beautiful; they celebrate all kinds of artists — from street artists to studio artists and graphic designers. Each piece adds something unique to DUMBO's vibe.

This project has done a lot for DUMBO. It's transformed the neighborhood into a must-visit spot for anyone who loves murals. It's not just about looking at pretty pictures; it's about seeing a neighborhood come alive with art.

DUMBO Walls shows just how much public art can do for a neighborhood. It's a place where the rich history of art meets the present, making DUMBO another notable spot for anyone who appreciates street art.

3) Williamsburg Street Art

Williamsburg is a hotspot for street art in Brooklyn. This area is known for its colorful and diverse murals that bring its streets to life.

Here, you'll find all sorts of murals. Some are quirky and full of fun, like the "Donut & Heart Mural," while others are more famous, like "The Mona Lisa of Williamsburg."

While you’ll find the greatest concentration of street art along Bedford Ave, you will find fascinating art on every corner, with works spanning from amateur to famous professional street artists. Local businesses also contribute their walls for artists to display their works, contributing to the abundance of murals you will discover.

Williamsburg is a true paradise for anyone who loves street art. With its dynamic and ever-evolving collection of murals, it's a must-see for anyone visiting Brooklyn.

6. Coney Island Art Walls

Coney Island Art Walls in Brooklyn is a special place where street art comes to life. It's like an outdoor museum with amazing murals and graffiti within an iconic New York City community.

At Coney Island Art Walls, there are 35 walls that artists from all over the world paint on. These walls get a new look with fresh, colorful art every season.

Some artists who paint here are famous in the street art scene, like Daze and Lee Quiñones. Jeffrey Deitch, another influential street artist, helps pick the artists and designs.

The space is used to host large events in the Summer, with food trucks and live music on the weekends, making it a super lively place to hang out and enjoy the art.

This whole project started to make Coney Island even more exciting and artistic. It's worked well, turning a space into an excellent spot.

Want to learn more about all the fun things you can do in Coney Island? Check out my post here: Fun Things To Do In Coney Island

7) Underhill Walls in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn

Underhill Walls in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, is yet another trendy spot for elaborate street art. This project, by Frankie Velez and Jeff Beler, started in 2015 at St. Johns Place and Underhill Avenue. The first murals they put up were all about the theme "Urban Jungle."

The project is a team effort with Love Heals, an organization that helps young people learn and teach others about fighting HIV/AIDS. The artists began by painting on big wooden panels that covered an old, unused building. New artists come to paint fresh murals every six months, so there's always something new to see.

Underhill Walls is worth checking out if you're in the neighborhood!

Final Thoughts:

I hope you enjoyed this guide to the best street art in Brooklyn. While this guide takes you to places with well-known murals by some of the best artists, you will never fail to find street art on almost any corner in Brooklyn. Be safe and have fun exploring Brooklyn’s collective canvas of art around you!

If you want more insider information from a local about all things Brooklyn, check out my blog at malcolmtravels.com.

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