“Still We Rise” Mural Rises at Kingsborough Houses
On January 20, the Public Housing Community Fund (PHCF), NYCHA, and local artists Gerard Pefung and Greg Roberson were joined by Kingsborough Houses residents to unveil From Weeksville to Kingsborough: Still We Rise, a new mural located on the backside of the recently restored Exodus and Dance frieze by Harlem Renaissance sculptor Richmond Barthé. The mural draws upon a shared appreciation for the Weeksville and Crown Heights historic neighborhoods and the enduring legacies of their residents. The mural was designed and created by lead artist Gerard Pefung, President of the Fulton Art Fair, and assistant artist Greg Roberson.
“This mural beautifully captures what it means to be part of the Kingsborough community and serves as a powerful reminder of its history in the Weeksville community of Brooklyn,” said Alex Zablocki, Executive Director of The Public Housing Community Fund. “Alongside the Exodus and Dance project, it underscores our dedication to supporting residents as they engage with and uplift their neighborhood through art, culture, and storytelling. Kingsborough is a unique and vibrant community, and we’re grateful to the residents whose stories helped bring the mural to life.”
“Kingsborough Houses has been a cultural landmark for generations, and the new mural, From Weeksville to Kingsborough: Still We Rise, ensures that the voices of current Kingsborough residents are integrated into its history,” said NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “This installation does more than just beautify the campus — it speaks to the power of collaboration between our partners from the Public Housing Community Fund, Fulton Art Fair, Mellon Foundation, and the Kingsborough community.”
“Inspired by the vision of Richmond Barthé, this mural reflects the spirit of the Kingsborough community; it speaks to the struggles, triumphs, and traditions that define its residents and honors a people who continue moving forward together,” said Gerard Pefung, President of Fulton Art Fair. “Shaped by history, lifted by culture, and carried by hope, this artwork draws its symbols, imagery, and words directly from the residents themselves. It stands as a tribute to their stories, their strength, and their enduring legacy.”
The artwork draws its symbols, imagery, and words directly from the Kingsborough Houses residents themselves, their shared history, and their enduring legacy. PHCF and Fulton Art Fair led engagement sessions with residents at the Weeksville Heritage Center to cultivate inspiration, themes, and words for the mural. From Weeksville to Kingsborough: Still We Rise replaces Weeksville: Past Forward (2006), which was removed during the frieze’s wall rehabilitation. The Mellon Foundation provided funding for the creation of the mural, along with restoration of Exodus and Dance, the new public art installation, Migration, and an oral history project.
The unveiling of the mural follows the two-phase Exodus and Dance project at Kingsborough Houses. The first phase, unveiled in August, transformed a historic 80-foot frieze, Exodus and Dance, created by Barthé in 1939 and installed on the campus in 1941, depicting scenes of biblical imagery and dance motifs to convey spirituality, community, and joy. Commonly referred to as “The Wall” by Kingsborough residents, the restoration has been an incredible joy for the community and has preserved their deep connection to Black migration, theater, and dance history. The second phase, unveiled earlier this month, is a permanent installation and heritage walk titled Migration. The installation features 35 six- to 12-foot-high steel illuminated public art structures distributed throughout the 16-acre campus, honoring the restored frieze. Migration amplifies the voices, memories, and aspirations of the Kingsborough residents.
Fulton Art Fair credits the realization of the mural and the other phases of the Exodus and Dance project to former President and Artist-in-Residence at Kingsborough Houses Larry Weekes (1953-2025), who established partnerships with community stakeholders and residents that made this work possible.
Photos courtesy of Heller
