A new show at the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition (BWAC) captures the spirit of a historic summer in New York City.
The org’s summer exhibition, on display at The Whale in Sunset Park through Aug. 2, features three separate shows: “Between Two Waterfronts: A Brooklyn Landscape,” “Summer of Soccer: The World’s Game” and “Crazy Joy Time for You.”
Those shows “span the diversity and depth of the American experience,” according to BWAC, and were timed to overlap with America250 celebrations and the World Cup.
“This co-mingling of past and present, of history and culture, of freedom and restriction, is a reminder that Art, like Democracy, is a Big Idea that belongs to all of us,” the org said in a statement.
Nehemiah Barshlomo’s photograph of the Red Hook waterfront, part of the exhibition “Between two Waterfronts.” Image courtesy of Nehemiah Barshlomo/BWAC
In “Between Two Waterfronts,” BWAC member artists took inspiration from the borough’s ever-changing coastline. The waterfront has played a critical role in Brooklyn’s culture and history since colonial days, when Americans fired at British naval ships in the New York Harbor.
Since then, it has changed significantly. Parts of the waterfront, including in Sunset Park, became heavily industrialized and remain that way today. Other sections have become lush green havens. Artists and artisans have always gravitated toward the water, from Dumbo to Red Hook — where BWAC resided in an industrial warehouse until a devastating fire last fall.
Some artists took the opportunity to explore the physical space where soil meets water. In his oil painting “On the Waterfront,” artist Timothy Brewer captured the sun setting behind a lush Brooklyn wetland; Nehemiah Barshlomo opted for a photograph of the massive cranes looming over the Red Hook pier in 2025.
Others shone a light on the people and culture of the waterfront. A photograph and drawing by David Fitzgerald captured a Brooklynite sitting on their fire escape with a book; artist Lenore Fiore-Mills used a wax-resist dye technique called Batik to recreate the nautical decorations and people of the Red Hook Yacht Club in painstaking detail.
Timothy Brewer’s lush waterfront sunset oil painting.Photo courtesy of Timothy Brewer/BWAC 
Lenore Fiore-Mills used a wax-resist dye technique called Batik to recreate the nautical decorations and people of the Red Hook Yacht Club. Image courtesy of Lenore Fiore-Mills/BWAC
While “Between Two Waterfronts” stays close to home, “Summer of Soccer: The World’s Game” zooms out. A juried exhibition developed in partnership with Socceroof in Sunset Park and the Favela Project, the show welcomed artists from all over the world to submit work related to the worldwide passion for soccer.
The 2026 World Cup has electrified New York City as locals and international visitors alike gather to root for their beloved national teams.
“Reflecting personal experiences, local soccer culture, legendary moments, or the sport’s influence around the world, these artists have captured the excitement, emotion, diversity, and universal appeal of what has been called, ‘the beautiful game,’” BWAC said in a statement.
Cordelia Stephens captured the joy and despair of World Cup watch parties. Image courtesy of Cordelia Stephens/BWAC
An oil painting by Cordelia Stephens captured the scenes playing out in bars across the city: fans in varying stages of ecstasy and despair watching their teams duke it out on screen. Some artists, like Matt Fricovsky and Tad Sare, captured the fast-moving energy of World Cup players on paper and canvas.
Brazilian artist Wallison Martins, meanwhile, kept things simple with a mixed media sketch of Argentinian phenom Lionel Messi.
Tad Sare’s pastel depiction of a heart-stopping Brazil game. Photo courtesy of Tad Sare/BWAC 
Wallison Martins’ sketch of Lionel Messi. Photo courtesy of Wallison Martins/BWAC
The final show, “Crazy Joy Time for You,” features the work of just one artist, Kumi Hirose.
On first impression, Hirose’s vibrant pieces — a hot-pink strawberry with four glittering eyes, a colorful, near-abstract painting titled “Shower Head” — look vibrant and joyful.
But below the surface, Hirose wants to depict the wide range of emotions humans peddle in every day, from joy to worry and anger. Her pieces are meant to offer encouragement to viewers.
Kumi Hirose’s vibrant, complex works. Images courtesy of Kumi Hirose/BWAC
“I hope that those who view the works in this exhibition will reconnect with the free emotions that reside within themselves,” Hirose said in a statement.
BWAC’s summer exhibition is on display at The Whale, 14 53rd Street in Sunset Park, on weekends at 1-6 p.m. through Aug. 2. Admission is free.