NYCHA - East New York "Family Day" Community Mural

September 15, 2024 by luis caraballo in Mural Art, Community Projects, Public Art Installations, Art Events, Artist Collaborations, Urban Art and Culture, Social Impact Through Art

This summer, I collaborated with artist Antoinette Thomas to create a vibrant community mural at the East NY Boulevard Houses for NYCHA’s Family Day Block Party. Organized by The Neighborly Events, the mural celebrated the rich cultural heritage of East New York, bringing together residents of all ages to contribute their creativity. From initial sketches to the final brushstrokes, this mural was a true reflection of community pride and the power of art to unite. Dive into the full recap of our collaborative journey and see how we transformed a public space into a canvas of connection and celebration.

Open Studio Recap

September 12, 2024 by luis caraballo in Art Events, Open Studio, Community Engagement, Painting Showcase, Artist Residency Recap, LouieBlaka

Dive into the highlights of Louie Blaka's recent open studio event, where art, community, and creativity came together in an inspiring showcase. See how six months of artistic exploration were brought to life and what made this day unforgettable.

Open Studio - Calabar Gallery Social Justice Artist Residency at coLAB Arts

July 24, 2024 by luis caraballo in Art Events, Community Projects, LouieBlaka, Open Studio, Painting Showcase, Social Impact Through Art, Urban Art and Culture

Dive into Louie Blaka's open studio event, where art, community, and creativity come together in an inspiring showcase. See how six months of artistic exploration were brought to life and what made this residency unforgettable.

"Monument #3"

July 02, 2024 by luis caraballo in Art Events, Artist Collaborations, Community Engagement, Community Projects, LouieBlaka, Mural Art, Public Art Installations, Social Impact Through Art, Urban Art and Culture

For this year’s Juneteenth, I led a collaborative mural project in downtown New Brunswick, bringing together community members to create a powerful visual celebration of freedom, resilience, and heritage. Discover the journey behind this vibrant public artwork and the conversations it sparked.

Celebrate Afro-Latino Culture at Raíces Cultural Center: Bomba y Plena Workshop and Art Experience

July 02, 2024 by luis caraballo in Art Events, Community Engagement, Community Projects, Urban Art and Culture, Afro-latino Culture, Art Workshop

Join us at Raíces Cultural Center for an immersive celebration of Afro-Latino culture! Discover the history, rhythms, and dance of Bomba y Plena, followed by a painting workshop inspired by these vibrant traditions. Don’t miss this chance to learn, create, and celebrate.

Join Us for a Dynamic Panel Discussion and Networking Event: Calabar Gallery Artist Residency Program

June 21, 2024 by luis caraballo in Community Engagement, Artist Collaborations, Art Workshop, Art Events, Community Projects, Social Impact Through Art

Join us on June 26, 2024, for a dynamic panel discussion and networking event at coLab Arts, featuring experts from the arts community who will explore strategies for artist development, inclusive programming, and community engagement. Don’t miss this chance to connect with fellow artists and organizations. Register now!

Celebrate Juneteenth at Monument Square Park: Community Mural & Printmaking Workshop

June 05, 2024 by luis caraballo in Cultural Celebration, Community Events, Public Art Installations, Mural Art, Art Workshop

Join us at Monument Square Park on Juneteenth to create a community mural and participate in a live printmaking workshop! This in-person event welcomes all ages to celebrate Juneteenth in an artistic and collaborative way. Volunteer registration is required!

Calabar Gallery Artist Residency

April 02, 2024 by luis caraballo in Artist Announcements, Social Justice Art, Artist Residencies, Community Engagement, Art and Activism

I’m thrilled to announce that I have been selected for Calabar Gallery’s six-month Artist Residency at CoLab Arts, focused on social justice and Black lives globally. Join me on this exciting journey as I explore unconventional ideas and create socially engaging art in New Brunswick.

"El Jíbaro" Collaboration with Bronx Brewery: A Celebration of Puerto Rican Culture

September 15, 2023 by luis caraballo in Art Collaborations, Cultural Celebration, Product Launches, Puerto Rican Art, Beer Label Design

Take a step back into “El Jíbaro” with Louie Blaka’s exclusive collaboration with Bronx Brewery! Join us in celebrating Puerto Rican culture through this custom beer and label design that tells a powerful story of heritage and identity.

"People to Watch in 2023": Honored to be Featured by TAPinto New Brunswick

August 02, 2023 by luis caraballo in Artist Announcements, People to Watch, Public Art, Community Mural, New Brunswick Art, LouieBlaka

Honored to be named one of TAPinto New Brunswick’s "People to Watch in 2023"! Learn more about my community mural projects, exciting new collaborations, and the powerful impact of public art.

New Brunswick Awarded $25K Asphalt Art Initiative Grant for New Community Mural

September 30, 2021 by luis caraballo in Public Art, Community Engagement, Mural Projects, Grant Announcements, Art and Activism

Exciting news! New Brunswick has received a $25K Asphalt Art Initiative grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies to create a new mural at Suydam Street and Remsen Avenue. Learn more about the project and how you can get involved in shaping its design!

Recap of My Mural for NBC’s “George to the Rescue” at the Boys and Girls Club of Newark

August 07, 2021 by luis caraballo in Television Features, Mural Projects, Community Engagement, Public Art, Artist Collaborations

I had the honor of being commissioned by NBC’s "George to the Rescue" to create an inspiring mural for the Boys and Girls Club of Newark, NJ. This project, featured on a heartwarming episode, was part of a larger mission to uplift and revitalize the community through art.

Recap: Awarded a Grant from the Newark Artists Accelerator – October 2020

January 07, 2021 by luis caraballo in Grant Announcements, Artist Support, Community Engagement, Newark Art, Art Grant

Honored to be awarded a $1,500 grant from the Newark Artists Accelerator! This grant from Project for Empty Space provided vital support for my creative work in Newark, recognizing my ongoing commitment to the city’s art community.

Recap of Media Coverage on ABC7 NY: Spreading Positive Visual Messages Through Art →

July 01, 2020 by luis caraballo in Media Coverage, Public Art, Artist Features, Social Justice Art, Chalk Art

Excited to be featured on ABC7 NY for my latest chalk-art mural inspired by the African Diaspora! Learn how I use art to spread positive messages about social justice and equality, and read the full coverage in the article linked here.

Recap of NBC 4 NY Coverage: BLM Mural with a Message in New Brunswick →

July 01, 2020 by luis caraballo

I’m proud to have been featured on NBC 4 NY, where my Black Lives Matter mural in New Brunswick was highlighted as part of a powerful news segment. In the coverage by Brian Thompson, the story emphasizes that this mural goes beyond the slogan, aiming to create a lasting message of justice, equality, and solidarity for the Black community.

About the BLM Mural: More Than Just a Slogan

The streets of New Brunswick have become the canvas for a movement that is bigger than any one moment. This Black Lives Matter mural was created to serve as a visual reminder that the fight for equality and justice is ongoing. My goal with this mural was to convey that Black Lives Matter is not just a slogan or a passing trend but a call to action—a continuous reminder of the work that needs to be done in our communities.

In the NBC 4 NY segment, I shared that art has the power to engage, educate, and inspire. This mural is meant to provoke thought and encourage dialogue about racial justice and equity, urging people to reflect on how they can contribute to positive change.

A Statement Through Public Art

Public art has always been a powerful tool for activism and awareness, and this mural is no exception. By bringing this message to the streets of New Brunswick, I hope to create a space where people of all backgrounds can pause and consider the deeper meaning behind Black Lives Matter. The mural stands as both a symbol of solidarity and a reminder that the fight for equality must continue.

Watch the Full NBC 4 NY Segment

You can watch the full NBC 4 NY coverage and learn more about the inspiration behind the mural [here]. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to share this message on such a broad platform, and I hope this mural inspires others to take meaningful action in their own communities.

Recap of BRAG’s 49th Annual Scholarship and Awards Gala: Painting Raffle for Charity

December 07, 2019 by luis caraballo in Event Recaps, Art for Charity, Fashion Industry, Artist Contributions, Media Coverage

Excited to share that one of my paintings was raffled for charity at BRAG’s 49th Annual Scholarship and Awards Gala! The event, which supports young people of color in the fashion industry, was a night filled with inspiration, celebration, and fundraising. Read more in the full Essence Magazine coverage!

Featured in Gary Vaynerchuk’s New York Times Best Seller “Crushing It!” →

November 07, 2018 by luis caraballo in Book Features, Artist Branding, Social Media Strategy, Entrepreneurial Success, Media Coverage

Thrilled to be featured in Gary Vaynerchuk’s New York Times Best Seller “Crushing It!”! Read about my journey as an artist and how I’ve used social media to grow my brand, inspire communities, and build a sustainable business. Check out the book for more!