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2026
HURLY WHIRLY
Designed in partnership with: WHY NOT ART & David barthold
This large-scale, kinetic sculpture fabricated by Beam Center’s Public Art Production Apprenticeship participants created over seven weeks focusing on woodworking, metalworking and custom painting to bring delight to passerby on 4th Ave & 2nd Street in Park Slope (map).
The 11’ x 8’ wood and steel sculpture will be installed through partnership with The New York City’s DOT Art Program. This sculptural piece was built with intentional collaboration and mentorship of young people, learning practical and job readiness skills.
“We wanted to bring public art to Fourth Avenue, so we worked with Beam Center.”
— Grace Freedman (Why Not Art)
AS SPRING APPROACHED our Fall/Winter Beam Center cohorts were wrapping up showcases, final projects, and the school year, six youth that demonstrated proficiency in technical and tangible skills from woodworking/carpentry, soldering , painting, and collaboration were selected to be part of the Public Art Production Apprenticeship. Over the next four months, these six youth created two public art projects, Hurly Whirly being the first.
THE PUBLIC ART PRODUCTION APPRENTICES established space in our newest Bushwick workshop to create Hurly Whirly. Youth applied their skills and knowledge of woodworking and fabrication using tools from jigsaws to industrial angle grinders to create the intricate shapes and cutouts that make up the base of Hurly Whirly.
YOUTH, Beam Center specialists, James Cafaro and Em Eason, and artist David B. spent four weeks fabricating the base wood structure of Hurly Whirly along with focusing on custom painting with colors inspired by Beam Center youth and their interest and love of color.
HURLY WHIRLY DEBUT
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About the Artist(S),
PUBLIC ART PRODCTION APPRENTICES
"This has been a new experience. I like working with schematics and seeing all the pieces come together like a puzzle. Having the artist involved was also great; I liked having him teach us painting."
— Tahied (age 18, Public Art Production Apprenticeship)
[This] has been a great experience, has helped me learn more about precision and patience. I feel proud because we've come so far, it's turned into a beautiful piece with color and pizzazz, I feel very accomplished."
—Justin (age 17, Public Art Production Apprenticeship)
About the Artist,
David barthold
David is a member of the creative community at Gowanus Studio Space on 7th Street in Brooklyn. He’s worked as a printer, carpenter, mold maker, dental technician, teacher and much more.
Combining his love of physical work and care for craft, David brings a love of making things and collaboration into his work everyday.
“Whether it be with metal, wood, paper or paint, I am singing the song I was taught by the elders, and by the very houses I’ve lived in, and I invite you to sing along through my work.” says David.