The Free Portrait Project: Red Hook

Artist Rusty Zimmerman is raising funds to continue giving free portraits with recorded oral histories to residents of Red Hook, Brooklyn. To date, 50 are complete, and Zimmerman will give up to 200 portraits in total, funding permitting.

In February, 2026, Zimmerman began giving portraits from life to Red Hook residents–with oral histories recorded in the moment–-on location in the subjects homes, businesses, and public spaces. Participants apply and are nominated by their neighbors as faces of the community. Zimmerman raises funds to give these paintings to people from all walks of life for free to up-end a tradition of portraiture just for a wealthy few, & to connect residents across neighborhood boundaries. 

Oral histories accompany each portrait via QR code and on Soundcloud. After exhibitions conclude, each person receives their painting to keep. The images and recorded audio will be shared with Red Hook Story House and PortSide NewYork's Red Hook Water Stories.