Art in the Parks: Highland Park Art Grant

The Highland Park Art Grant supports the creation of one new, temporary artwork by a New York City-based emerging artist in Highland Park, Brooklyn. The resulting artwork will transform an area of the park into an art destination, with supporting events and programs. The grantee received an award of $25,000 to create their proposed artwork.

Program Background

NYC Parks’ Art in the Parks program has consistently fostered the creation and installation of temporary public art in parks throughout the five boroughs. Since 1967, NYC Parks has collaborated with artists and arts organizations to produce over one thousand public artworks in New York City parks. For more information about the program visit our Art in the Parks page.

2022 Award Winner

Rose DeSiano, Lenticular Histories

February 26, 2024 to October 30, 2024

Lenticular Histories is based on the Praxinoscope and Zoetrope, 19th century devices of wonder that transform still photographs into moving images. Two seven-foot-tall rainbow-colored, luminous sculptures in the form of “eternal remembrance columns” are placed at the corner of Highland Boulevard and Jamaica Avenue in Lower Highland Park. The surface of the sculptures host colorful plexiglass panels and reflective mirrors adorned with historic photographs of Highland Park and the surrounding neighborhood. The photographs are interrupted by mirror panels that, when viewed from a distance, reflect back the park’s landscape and engage the viewer in an interactive moment of immersive optical intrigue and history.

Rose DeSiano brings together photography and sculpture into a public art practice. Her artwork examines cultural symbolism, the collective consciousness, and is interested in bringing to the surface lost or undiscussed topics of history. Using art in public spaces to foster community, DeSiano sees public art as an act of advocacy and activism. Commissioned by multiple cities, her photo-sculptures have appeared throughout New York City, in San Diego, and Cleveland and have received awards, including the Uniqlo Parks Grant and FLOW.17 Public Art Award. Her gallery artwork has been exhibited in solo shows and featured in several group museum exhibitions. Her work appears in numerous publications. She currently lives in NYC and is a Professor of Art at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.