Atlantic Avenue BID commissions original artwork for new street banners

The Atlantic Avenue Business Improvement District (AABID) is lining the Downtown Brooklyn boulevard with original works of art. The new splashes of color will come in the form of the BID’s street banners, the first new ones in over half a decade. The Atlantic Avenue BID was competitively selected by New York City Small Business Services (NYC SBS) as a recipient of the Single District Small BID Support Grant, which funded the new street banners. This funding fulfills a commitment in Mayor Eric Adams’ “Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent: A Blueprint for New York City’s Economic Recovery.”

In order to shake things up, the AABID handed over creative responsibilities to Boerum-Hill-based design studio, The Studio of Joshua Levi. A former senior art director for The New York Times, Joshua Levi is a design professional who specializes in brand design, with past clients including Apple, Google, Harvard University, The IFC Center, and the High Line. On Friday, 9/15, the banners will be installed throughout the district, which spans the blocks and side streets of Atlantic Avenue between the BQE and 4th Avenue.

Each of the five banners was custom-designed for Atlantic Avenue, including a custom typeface, and showcases quintessential Atlantic Avenue moments. The images range from a street scene typical of the businesses, visitors, residents, and culture of Atlantic Avenue, to a scene of the culturally diverse cuisine found in the commercial corridor. Each installment stands alone or can be interpreted as part of the series.

“Our new banners embody what makes Atlantic Avenue a one-of-a-kind destination within New York City: we are a colorful, dynamic, fun, diverse, and beautifully chaotic place.” said Kelly Carroll, Executive Director of the Atlantic Avenue BID. “Further, these new street banners signal the recovery and vibrancy of our neighborhoods in the period after the difficult years of the Covid-19 pandemic.”

“Atlantic Avenue’s new banners add a welcome dash of color to Brooklyn and make one of our city’s vibrant business districts even brighter,” said SBS Commissioner Kevin D. Kim.

“I am proud to see what AABID was able to do with its Single District Small BID Support Grant. By using the talents of a local artist, Joshua Levi, AABID is demonstrating what these grants are meant for: empowering local New Yorkers to make a positive difference in their own communities.”

“Atlantic Ave is looking good!” says Council Member Lincoln Restler, “Thank you to the Atlantic Avenue BID for the beautiful new street banners that brighten up one of our community’s most vital corridors.”

“Brooklyn is home to so many talented artists and creators whose work deserves to be showcased and celebrated,” said Council Member Shahana Hanif. “I’m thrilled to see the Atlantic Ave BID update their street banners with local art to celebrate the vibrancy and diversity of our communities.”

“We’re excited to have the opportunity to partner with the Atlantic Avenue BID and add to the visual landscape of our local the neighborhoods” said designer Joshua Levi, “Inspired by shop signs throughout the BID, the mixed bag of letters used to display the name of the Avenue captures the hodgepodge spirit of shops, cultures, experiences, and discoveries the drag presents. The illustrations further bring that feeling to life, providing a window into the variety of activities offered to visitors and residents.”