Illustration of a stylized bird in flight with a cloud background.

United States

Core Regions | Marginalized communities

Here in the US, many youth do not feel that their voices are listened to, and there are few opportunities to communicate their needs and visions for the future. We are living in an era of division, with our communities in dire need of creative, unifying activities that celebrate our collective humanity and explore the issues affecting us. Across the country, Artolution has engaged children, teens and families; incarcerated individuals, migrants and those living with disabilities; all with a story to tell and a desire to work towards a better future for themselves and their communities.

Colorful mural featuring diverse faces and celestial symbols, with vibrant backgrounds of fish, hearts, clouds, and stars, set outdoors with trees and sky visible.

Mural led by Joel Bergner in collaboration with teenagers in Bloomington, Illinois

Two people smiling and painting a colorful mural on a building wall

Participants in Providence, Rhode Island

Select projects across USA

  • In the East Village of New York City, teens who had recently fled from violence in Central America created the world’s first first youth-led Augmented Reality mural, and performed an inspired, original work of street theater for the community.

  • In public housing in Harlem, residents of all ages came together to create massive ground murals that encouraged peace and respect in their community, an initiative aimed at strengthening community bonds and reducing violence and incarceration.

  • In Providence, Rhode Island, we partnered with The Avenues Concept to paint a large-scale mural with youth who have faced a variety of challenges, including homelessness, displacement from global conflict and stigma based on being LGBTQ+.

  • In Washington, DC, Artolution collaborated with vulnerable youth and local residents to create an epic work of public art with support from local partner BloomBars and our law firm, Paul Hastings.

  • Partnering with the ACLU, we worked with immigrant teens in Queens, NY to beautify their school while telling their stories.

  • In Bloomington, IL, youth created a mural that broke down social barriers and explored

  • In Watts, Los Angeles, children affected by gang violence and incarceration in public housing worked with Artolution to create a vibrant mural with the support of Madaluxe.

  • In the South Bronx and Brooklyn, public housing residents of all ages came out to celebrate their local heroes and the importance of unity through a series of murals.

A group of people posing on a colorful street mural, wearing matching black T-shirts with a white logo in an urban setting.

Community partners from Harlem Children’s Zone during a ground mural project led by Joel Bergner during the summer of 2022

“Knowing now about your commitment to uplifting’ children, youth, and families through creative art is inspiring on all levels.”

Sally Casas
Morgan HIll, CA

A group of children and adults posing happily outdoors in a park, some holding a "Thank You" sign, with trees and buildings in the background.

Artolution collaborates with the fourth graders of Brightwood School in Washington DC.

Group of artists painting a colorful mural with faces and abstract designs on a large wall, using ladders and paint cans.

Mural by Max Frieder and youth in Providence, RI. Credit photo: Boston Globe

A group of smiling people standing in front of a colorful mural featuring a man's face. The individuals are casually dressed and appear to be enjoying themselves. The mural is painted on a textured blue wall.

Boxing champion Iran Barkely being honored by the community where he was raised in the South Bronx. Project led by Joel Bergner

Video Spotlight


Artolution Augmented
Reality Mural in NYC!

Central American youth seeking safety in the US created this mural with Artolution's Joel Bergner in the East Village of New York City over the summer of 2019. Thanks to our partners at KIND (Kids in Need of Defense), We Are Royale and the Education Alliance.

Video by We Are Royale