BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Conceptual Artist Hannah Robinett is working on a mural called "Good Samaritan" on a roll-down gate at the Better Carpet Warehouse on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. In fact, she even let me paint one portion of it, a yellow square.

What You Need To Know

  • The Arts Gownus ArtWalk on Atlantic Avenue runs from Octover 17 through November 1

  • More than 100 artists are displaying their works on more than 65 storefronts, outdoor dining areas, construction fences and residential buildings

  • The 1.5 mile long self-guided socially distanced art walk aims to draw customers to local shops and restaurants

  • The event is an alternative to the the annual Atlantic Antic Festival and Arts Gowanus Open Studios, both cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns

Eventually it will be in the shape of a giant heart. She hopes the work will inspire neighbors to be good to each other, whether that means wearing masks or buying someone a cup of coffee. 

She is one of more than 100 artists whose work is displayed in 65 storefronts, outdoor dining areas and construction fences for the Arts Gowanus ArtWalk on Atlantic Avenue, which runs this weekend through November 1.

It's a 1.5 mile self-guided socially distanced art walk on Atlantic between 4th Avenue and the waterfront. It runs through neighborhoods like Boerum Hill, Brooklyn Heights, Gowanus, Cobble Hill and Downtown Brooklyn.

"You will see art in the windows, we have some major retail spaces with a huge collection of art,” said Howard Kolins, interim executive director of the Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corporation, which is partnering with the Atlantic Avenue Business Improvement District and Arts organization Arts Gowanus to present the event. It was created to attract shoppers and diners and support artists, an alternative to the popular Atlantic Antic festival and Arts Gowanus Open Studios, both cancelled due to coronavirus concerns.

"It's bringing even more exposure to my work, so I'm very thankful for them and very excited for the community to be able to see what artists are working on,” said Robinett, who has studio space in the Gowanus neighborhood.

Better Carpet Warehouse owners Edwin Perez and Wayne McPherson hope the art walk attracts potential customers for them and their neighbors. The duo has been in a space inside the historic Ex-Lax building for twenty years. They started in business selling carpets out of their cars in a parking lot, so they have come a long way, and hope to stay in business. They think Hannah Robinett’s work on their gate is pretty cool, too.

"I think we will keep it up because it's a lot better than what we had, it was just a plain ugly gate,” said Perez, who said he is a fan of street art.

Kolins said the event aims to bring folks to the avenue to support the more than 300 small businesses there, many struggling since the pandemic hit. Many have been getting creative to attract customers in the past months.

"To see how beautiful some of the stores are, how creative the merchants are, and then get everybody to shop local, and especially as we head into the Christmas season,” said Kolins.

The ArtWalk is a family friendly event with pop-up music, dance and art performances. Kolins said if it goes well, it could be extended beyond November 1. Find out more on Instagram @artsgowanusonatlanticave.