“The Collective Dream” is the fifth work of public art made by Creative Art Works Youth Apprentices for New York County Family Court, and the first large-scale painting to be created on site in an area open to the public. The success of CAW’s Public Art Youth Employment program at 60 Lafayette Street opened the door to subsequent projects at Bronx and Queens Family Courts.
“The Collective Dream” answers a directive by the court to paint pictures that reflect the ethnic, racial, cultural, religious and sexual diversity of the people of New York City – the very same people who walk through the doors of this institution on a regular basis. Other features include major and minor NYC landmarks from all five boroughs, and elements that represent the natural world. The three panels that make up the paintings were designed to flow together to tell a unified story which reflects the hopes of society for unified families.
