Chromatic Drift: New Haven's Third Cool Mural
As summer temperatures rise, the basketball court at Kimberly Field will now stay significantly cooler than surrounding areas!
Image courtesy of Gabriela D'Orazio and Li Murphy, Yale Center for Geospatial Solutions
Over the past year, the Hixon Center, in partnership with the Urban Resources Initiative, co-funded both material costs and a fellowship for recent Yale School of Art graduate Haejin Park (MFA ’25) to design and paint a cool mural on the basketball court at Betsy Ross Arts and Design Academy (BRADA). Created with highly reflective paint, the mural reduces surface temperatures on the court, improving comfort and usability.
Beginning last June, Haejin facilitated three engagement sessions with approximately 40 students each, working with BRADA’s rising ninth graders to transform the court into a vibrant canvas through symbolism, color, and creative expression. As members of BRADA’s inaugural high school class, these students played a central role in shaping a mural that serves not only as a climate adaptation strategy but also as a meaningful reflection of the school’s emerging identity.
The mural was officially unveiled on June 10, 2026, during a celebration featuring remarks from Kim Futrell (Deputy Director, New Haven Department of Arts, Culture, and Tourism), Jennifer Jenkins (Principal, BRADA), Kymberly Pinder (Dean, Yale School of Art), and Josh Price (Chief Landscape Architect, New Haven Parks Department). The event also featured recognition for the more than 200 students, volunteers, and community members who were involved in the mural design and painting process. Marking their achievement, students had the opportunity to sign their names alongside Haejin on their school’s newest public artwork.
As summer temperatures rise, the basketball court at Kimberly Field will remain significantly cooler than surrounding surfaces, creating a more comfortable space for recreation and community gathering. Due to the urban heat island effect, cities can experience temperatures up to 7°F higher than nearby areas. Cool murals like Chromatic Drift can reduce surface temperatures by as much as 10°F and lower surrounding air temperatures by up to 3.5°F during periods of extreme heat.
One of our favorite moments from the event was hearing Yale School of Art Dean Kymberly Pinder reflect: “There are so many empty walls in New Haven, which means there’s so much potential for more murals.” Her comments captured the excitement surrounding the project and the opportunities it creates for future climate art throughout the city.
Image courtesy of Gabriela D'Orazio and Li Murphy, Yale Center for Geospatial Solutions
The Hixon Center is grateful to the City of New Haven for generously supporting this project through the Neighborhood Cultural Vitality Grant Program.