Hundreds of people headed to the Brooklyn Children's Museum on Sunday for the kickoff of a long-awaited exhibit.

Artist Rusty Zimmerman says the exhibit, titled Free Portrait Project: Crown Heights, took about a year in the making. Zimmerman's exhibit featured interviews and painted portraits of 200 Crown Heights community members.

The free event was open to the public and aimed at uniting the diverse community with music, food and art.

Brooklyn Brewery sponsored the opening and provided beer at the event. The nonprofit Repair the World provided kosher wine and other treats. The Lefrak Lakeside Skating Rink donated bicycle carriages to help carry older portrait participants.

The exhibit runs through Oct. 23.