Rainproof Gowanus Brooklyn
A multi-site mural and art activation that turns the voices of Gowanus residents into public works of art and tells their experiences with flooding.
The Dear Neighbor Project is a multi-site mural and art activation that turns the voices of Gowanus residents into public works of art. The artworks illustrate residents’ experiences with flooding in the neighborhood and become entry points for conversations about flood resilience and neighborhood change.
The project is led by Brooklyn-based artist Tiffany Baker and supported through Van Alen Institute’s Points of Promise initiative. It pairs visual storytelling with workshops, audio archives, and partnerships with local businesses and organizations across Gowanus.
Residents now engage with the artwork as a talking point for flood resilience and neighborhood change. The murals move conversations about flooding out of private experience and into public space.
By archiving Gowanus’s flooding stories online, the project preserves a record the city often misses, and creates a body of community-generated material that can travel beyond the neighborhood.
THE OUTCOMES
Hosted 5+ in-person and online workshops across 2024 to 2026. Populated 8+ Gowanus locations with artwork or sculpture. Built a free online archive of residents' flooding stories."
ON the ground
LOOKING AHEAD: What's next
Through Rainproof NYC and the partnerships introduced by the cohort, Tiffany is carrying the message of flood preparedness beyond Gowanus. That includes workshops and resources for residents of other historic and non-historic flood-prone neighborhoods.
The Dear Neighbor Project is also building a flooding-stories toolkit in partnership with Design Trust For Public Space, meant to live in public spaces like libraries and community centers across the city.
Want to get involved with DEAR NEIGHBOR?
VISIT THE PROJECT
FOLLOW US
LISTEN TO STORIES
Read the Press
GET INVOLVED IN RAINPROOF NYC
We each have a role to play in Rainproof.
Rainproof NYC is where all stakeholders learn from each other and act collectively to tackle increasingly heavy rainfall and flash floods.The growing Rainproof NYC network brings together community groups, city officials, technical experts, policy advocates, private sector partners, educators, and more to understand and address flooding in NYC.
Ways you can get involved include:
- Stay updated on new pilot projects, events, and funding opportunities.
- Collaborate with the Rainproof NYC Network.
- Join a Rainproof Event.
- Learn from other cities in our Rainproof Series.
- Participate in or Pilot Rainproof NYC Projects.
- Share Rainproof Resources & Expertise.