The Dear Neighbor Project by Tiffany Baker
Photos by Cameron Blaylock: @camerablaylock
Created by Brooklyn-based artist Tiffany Baker, The Dear Neighbor Project is a multi-site mural installation that transforms the voices of Gowanus residents into public art, reflecting their personal experiences with neighborhood flooding.
To bring this project to life, Tiffany collaborated with community leaders, local organizations, business owners, and residents to better understand the impacts of flooding in Gowanus. She conducted interviews with people of all ages and backgrounds, from long-time locals to newer neighbors, middle schoolers to elders, capturing a wide range of stories and perspectives.
Each mural incorporates direct quotes and imagery drawn from these conversations, offering advice, reflections, and accounts of community care during flood events. An accompanying audio archive of the interviews is permanently housed at dearneighborproject.com.
The Dear Neighbor Project is the second installation in Points of Promise, an annual initiative that uses art and design to support civic engagement in Gowanus during a time of rapid redevelopment.
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As an artist with a studio based in Gowanus, I was honored to be interviewed for this project. I’ve experienced flooding firsthand and have witnessed how it compounds the uncertainty already felt by many residents. The neighborhood is also undergoing rapid redevelopment, a shift that signals inevitable gentrification and displacement for longtime community members. Contributing my story alongside those of my neighbors and seeing our words reflected through public art was a powerful reminder of what’s at stake, and of the strength and solidarity rooted in this place. I’m also proud to witness the work Tiffany is doing, not just as a fellow artist, but as a fellow Chicagoan now based in Brooklyn, bringing care, clarity, and community power to the walls of Gowanus.
Since the time of recording, Powerhouse Arts has opened its doors in a more intentional, community-focused way. There’s even a Community Day coming up, scheduled for May 31, 2025. The Arts Gowanus team, Executive Director Johnny Thornton and Program Director Emily Chiavelli continue to do remarkable work, including efforts to keep studio rents affordable as new buildings go up in the neighborhood.
And my dear friend and curator who first told me about the studios, Yvena Despagne (pronounced Despine — in all my years of knowing her, I still can't say it right, I don’t know why!! sorry girl!!) continues to be a force in uplifting Haitian and diasporic voices across Brooklyn and beyond. A “Lakou” translates more directly to “yard” in Haitian Kreyòl, but “neighborhood” feels like a more understandable American translation. Lastly, it was a joy to speak with Crystal-Angelee Burrell for the interview. Thank you for holding space with such care.
Listen to my interview below + the other voices from the neighborhood over at Tiffany’s Dear Neighbor Soundcloud
