A luminous rainbow hovering
- frida@artyardbklyn.org
- Aug 29
- 12 min read
Updated: Aug 29
That crackle of almost back to school—and almost back to AYB classes—is in the air! My inner dervish is already spinning in anticipation. In this week’s recap, we share updates from near and far: studio happenings, books we love, and upcoming exhibitions.
This week, a good bit of focused energy from Development Intern Allison Schwartz, Dennis, and I (Meridith) went into completing a proposal to the Open Hearts Foundation. As you know, securing grant support is essential to the vitality and sustainability of ART YARD BKLYN, and we approach each opportunity with care and determination.
What gives me real hope with this one is how aligned our mission is with the Open Hearts philosophy—rooted in the idea that helping others, especially through adversity, gives life meaning and keeps the heart open. That message resonates so clearly with our work: empowering artists to create, communicate, and uplift community.
OK, everyone—CROSS YOUR FINGERS!
ART YARD Art Matters School Partnerships
Dennis reports: "I have been in constant communication with the teaching artists who will be on board for a series of lessons at the Barack Obama School in Jersey City starting on Monday September 8th.
If we got plaid stamps for each text Leni and I exchanged about her upcoming classes, I'd have accrued enough to fly to Paris for the weekend. But - programs such as plaid stamps don't exist anymore. Wait - is it wrong of me to assume that everyone knows what plaid stamps are/were? Where I grew up, there was even a store in our neighborhood called Plaidland!
I video chatted with Leo this morning (thru What's App) and we covered lesson plans, supplies, creating samples, variations of lessons for exhibition purposes, etc. A successful call - and it's good that we met because we came up with lots of things that might be sensitive to students so we created workarounds. Better than arriving at a school without thinking of every possible scenario in advance.
We've never done 4 consecutive days in a row at any one particular school - but the opportunity arose and we accepted the challenge. I am looking forward to the month of September at the Barack Obama School - let's see if the enthusiasm wavers by the time October rolls around. It might be a good thing I'm already bald!
Art News
ART YARD Artist Evelyn Beliveau is on a cross-country adventure with their family, and we're lucky enough to be getting dispatches from the road. Last week, Evelyn was en route to Georgia O’Keeffe’s home—now a museum—in New Mexico. Since then, they’ve shared stunning photos and observational paintings of the “Sundrenched cliffs at the Ghost Ranch campground. I am getting used to my new portable watercolor set! We also learned a bit about Georgia O'Keeffe's time in Abiquiu.”
Images from Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, and Evelyn's painting.
On Wednesday, Evelyn updated: “We spent the last couple days at Chaco Culture National Historical Park, Evelyn writes, “whose stunning landscapes hold the remains of impressive structures from the 9th to 12th centuries. The second painting is of Fajada Butte, which can't be climbed today due to the delicate land, but has designs at its summit that were used to mark the solstices and equinoxes.
Evelyn Beliveau, Chaco Culture National Historical Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado! This is Lookout Point as seen from the visitors' center. We also hiked to the top of it this morning, with incredible views. And here are some petroglyphs by the Ancestral Pueblo people, who lived here for about 700 years and then moved away around the year 1300.”
A vital part of nurturing emotional well-being—especially as artists—is giving ourselves permission to play. It can be easy to get caught up in productivity, but taking time to experience joy, wonder, and connection is essential to a healthy creative life.
Better still when that play includes loved ones, pets, and a bit of spontaneous magic.
AYB Artist Vera B. reminds us of this beautifully with a simple, luminous act: blowing bubbles.
“I enjoy blowing bubbles 🫧,” Vera shares. “Here are a few images I captured yesterday. I got a kick out of my nephew’s dog biting the bubbles. ☺️”
Vera B.Bubbles With Nephews Dog, 2025
The photos she sent sparkle with movement and delight—tiny orbs catching the light, floating through space, as a curious dog jumps in joyful pursuit. These fleeting moments capture something profound: that even the smallest acts of play can lift our spirits, spark wonder, and offer a breath of fresh air for the soul.
AYB Artist Abriel (bob) Gardner is currently traveling in Scotland, where she’ll soon be visiting her cousin. She shared a cheerful update from the road, texting: “went to the seaside today (:” along with a beautiful batch of photos of a village street lined with pastel-fronted houses, and a luminous rainbow hovering at the horizon in the distance, and a lovingly embellished sandcastle. Can’t wait to see how these moments influence her creative practices.
Abriel (bob) Gardner, photos from Scotland, 2025
AYB Artist Maria Polonco shares a heartfelt work-in-progress: “It’s not complete yet, but here’s an oil painting I’m creating for my girlfriend and me to celebrate our anniversary :) We also made little cardboard flower bouquets using flowers we found around Prospect Park!”
Maria Polonco painting in progress, and flower vase mixed media collages
A sweet mix of creativity and love—can’t wait to see the finished piece!
AYB Artist Neah Gray shares a new work-in-progress inspired by a recent heart tattoo honoring loved ones who’ve passed. Neah describes the piece as a “slight self-portrait” and adds: “I feel like Adji would be proud of me for attempting hands!”
Every artist eventually faces that sinking moment—work lost, damaged, or gone astray in some unexpected mishap. For AYB Artist Travis Pereira, it came during a recent beach outing when a bag mix-up led to the disappearance of several drawings in progress.
We texted that evening, and I shared a few of my own difficult experiences—artwork lost in transit, pieces ruined in a flood—and how, while painful, these moments can also open the door to transformation. Sometimes revisiting an idea brings surprising clarity. Other times, starting anew can spark fresh energy and unexpected discoveries.
Travis replied with warmth, honesty, and humor:
“Thanks for the perspective shift. It really is helping me feel better! 😂🥲🥹🥺😅🫶🏾 Thanks, Meridith. I almost crashed out (as the kids say).”
This week, when I asked if he had any art updates for the recap, his response made my day: “I am redoing those lost drawings lol—took your advice, which talked me off the ledge. Perseverance for the win, and I think they will be better because I plan to use mixed media (possibly watercolor and glitter combo).”
Travis Pereira new drawings in early stages
I can’t wait to see the results of this watercolor-and-glitter reinvention!
There’s something truly special about seeing artwork in progress. I was fortunate to get a behind-the-scenes look at AYB supporter Kris Bevilacqua’s latest project: a vibrant, aquatic-themed quilt.
Still in progress, the quilt already showcases meticulous craftsmanship and the color is stunning. Take a look at these detailed close-ups of the Sea Horse and Turtle appliqués which serve as medallions across the quilts surface—each one a testament to Kris’s impeccable attention to detail and skilled handwork.
Kris Bevilacqua, Aquatic Quilt details (in progress), 2025
With my air conditioner still out for repairs, I (Meridith) found myself bouncing between work spaces depending on the weather. On the steamiest days, I retreated to the kitchen table to complete another Magical Things painting.
Meridith McNeal, Magical Things Keep Smiling, 2025 and studio wall Aug. 28, 2025
But when the temperature dipped just enough to make it bearable, I headed back up to my (still very warm) top-floor studio to work on a medium-sized Windowphilia piece.
This new painting is based on a rather secret view from high up in an ajacent building into Basilica S. Agostino in Rome. A sheet of warped plexiglass, distorts the view of frescoes and ornate ornamentation in a strangely beautiful way. When Quentin saw the work-in-progress and said it looked like the view was underwater, I took that as a good sign.
As always, my studio assistant, Lola, kept a watchful eye.
AYB Teaching Artist Candy Heiland shares two stunning new paintings:
Candy Heiland, Divide and Conquer, and Juggler, 2025
What We Are Reading
AYB Artist Leni Silva shares her thoughts on a recent and very meaningful read: “I am reading a beautifully curated book, Lost Objects by Joshua Glenn and Rob Walker (Hat and Beard Press, 2022). Each page tells a different story of how an item became lost, disposed of, or taken. For some reason, in their absence, these objects have become even more important to the writers. Each story is accompanied by an illustration, interpreted freely by an artist based on the narrative.
I think the reason this book is so special to me is because Meridith gifted it to me after our work during summer sessions on Hold Dear. I found myself flipping through the pages and thinking about how our zine pages could perfectly fit into this book. Even some of the subject matter was strikingly similar—like Ed Rath’s missing art project that was in his parents’ house, or Ben Greenman’s giant can of tomato soup signed by Warhol himself.
I hope I never lose this book, that’s for sure.”
AYB Artist Fatima Traore writes: “I’ve really been enjoying spending time with my new art book, Amy Sherald: American Sublime edited by Sarah Roberts (Yale University Press, 2024) from The Whitney Museum. I picked it up after seeing her exhibition in person, and it has quickly become a source of inspiration. Along with it, I also got a sketchbook, which has been the perfect companion for jotting down thoughts and trying out studies based on her approach.
Some of my favorites in the book include Kingdom, featuring a child looking down from the top of a slide, and If You Surrendered to the Air, You Could Ride It. Both pieces stand out for their use of perspective and the strategic posture of the figures, which guide the viewer’s attention in such intentional ways.
Seeing Sherald’s show in person at The Whitney was an eye-opening and surprisingly emotional experience. It gave me deeper insight into her “why” and her process—how she stages photography and uses props to construct her compositions—and I was especially moved by the way she honored Breonna Taylor and her family. Experiencing the variety of works, the scale of her canvases, and her attention to detail felt like being introduced to her in a completely new way. It was almost like meeting a friend after realizing we share many common interests—particularly Black narratives, storytelling through portraiture, fashion, and color.
The book itself continues to remind me of the scale of her work, something that’s hard to capture outside of the gallery setting. Every time I flip through its pages, I find myself inspired by something new—whether it’s her color choices, the stance of her figures, or the way she balances realism with stylization. I also keep coming back to her Michelle Obama portrait, which appears on the sketchbook I picked up, as a reminder of the cultural impact and accessibility of her work.
Overall, this book has become more than just a collection of images for me—it’s a touchstone. It challenges me to think about how I tell stories through my own art, how posture and presence communicate just as powerfully as color and scale, and how art can both honor and reframe the narratives of our time.”
In our ongoing attention to inner balance and creative well-being, AYB Artist Vera B. offers a thoughtful and timely book recommendation: “So I started reading Golden: The Power of Silence in a World of Noise by Justin Zorn & Leigh Marz in July, and it does a really good job of combining science, spiritual, and anecdotal information about the power of silence.”
Published by Harper Wave in 2022, Golden draws on neuroscience, politics, spirituality, and the arts to explore why, as the promotional materials put it, “auditory, informational, and internal silence is essential for physical health, mental clarity, ecological sustainability, and vibrant community.”
It’s now on my BPL shelf too.
William Blake and the Sea Monsters of Love by Philip Hoare (Pegasus Books, 2025) is a swirling, poetic meditation on what it means to make art against the tide. Hoare, whose previous work Albert and the Whale I (Meridith) also admired, again proves himself a wildly associative thinker, connecting Blake’s life with artists across centuries—Paul Nash, Derek Jarman, Patti Smith, David Bowie—each touched by Blake’s visionary fire.
This isn’t a typical biography. Blake doesn’t even show up until 50 pages in. Instead, the book dives deep—into queer histories, mystical landscapes, grief, obsession, and the vast metaphor of the sea. For ART YARD BKLYN artists, the message is powerful and clear: keep making art. Like Blake, whose radical, imaginative work was dismissed in his lifetime, we may not always see the impact of our creative work right away—but it builds and echoes.
The “sea monsters” are fears, failures, repression, and doubt—but also symbols of transformation and love. Hoare celebrates the persistence of artists who live on the margins and still create with urgency and honesty. A wonderful meandering read.
AYB Artists Leah Eliopulos and Florian Velayandom Neven du Mont are reading The Book of Colour Concepts, 45th edition, by Alexandra Loske (Taschen, 2025)
Leah writes: "While experimenting with art this summer, I had something I wanted to understand better. Color theory! Flow brought this book to me so we could expand our mind on how we see color, paint and the world around us."
From the Barns and Noble website: "Gathering over 40 rare books and manuscripts from a wealth of institutions, including the most distinguished color collections worldwide, The Book of Colour Concepts takes the reader on a chromatic odyssey across four centuries and over 350 images of luscious wheels and globes, painstakingly collated charts, and meticulous diagrams, many of them newly photographed exclusively for this edition."
Photos by Leah Eliopulos
AYB Artist Suzanne Santiago has made it to London! She writes: “I’m settling into this beautiful city—had my first day of classes today. Excited to explore the robust art and theater scene here.”
Suzanne also shares a book recommendation: “I am currently reading Women Who Run With The Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés (Ballantine Books, 1992). It reads as a comprehensive guide to navigating authentic femininity and womanhood. It incorporates ancient myths and uses them as a guiding tool to explain specific aspects of modern femininity. I’ve found it a deeply personal read—some excerpts feel like they echo pages from my own diary. I believe this is a book I’ll return to over the next few years, as it holds so much valuable and digestible insight on developing the authentic wild feminine.”
Suzanne highlights a quote from the chapter “Self-Preservation” that resonated deeply:
“The central psychic fact remains that our connection to meaning, passion, soulfulness, and the deep nature is something we have to keep watch over. There are many things that try to force, sweep, seduce away those handmade shoes, seeming simple things like saying ‘Later, I’ll do that dance, planting, hugging, finding, planning, learning, peace-making, cleansing … later.’ Traps, all.”
Exhibitions to See & Participate In
AYB Artist Ajani Russell is embracing the emotional and reflective side of the artist’s journey with a restorative escape to upstate NY. They loved discovering artworks from the 2025 Catskill Cats Design Festival—an annual public art celebration featuring whimsical cat sculptures placed throughout Catskill.
2025 Catskill Cats Design Festival in situ. Photos by Ajani Russell
Ajani also visited Art Omi, where they became captivated by Scapegoat, a powerful sculpture by Nari Ward. This colossal faux-stone head—resembling an oversized bust crossed with a children’s hobby goat toy—satirizes masculinity and the monumental. With handlebars affixed to its head and a precarious wheel made of rusted steel and used tire, Scapegoat is both playful and profound. Its title, evoking those blamed or shamed by a group, offers sharp commentary on societal dynamics of inclusion and exclusion.
Ajani explored other striking outdoor works, gallery exhibits and natural beauty as well. Situated on 120 acres in Ghent, NY, Art Omi’s Sculpture & Architecture Park provided a spacious and thought-provoking landscape for reflection and artistic inspiration.
Art Omi visit. Photos by Ajani Russell
AYB Artist Nayarit Tineo let us know she’ll be attending Performance & Activation of Vessels, a unique event led by artist (and fellow AYB Artist!) Eugenie Chao on August 30, 2–2:45PM at House 17, Nolan Park, Governors Island.
Our friend, artist Marina Zurkow, invites us to two thought‑provoking free public events on September 5—one long and one brief.
WHAT IF? (A Speculative Mixer on the Hudson) September 5, 6–9 PM, Whitney Museum, 3rd Floor. Co‑organized with Sarah Rothberg, this engaging mixer invites you to reimagine futures rooted in the Hudson River and its surroundings. Featuring food by Jen Monroe, sound by Andrew Steinmetz, and scent creations by Una Zhang.
The River is a Circle (Times Square Edition) September 5, 11:57 PM, Times Square (red steps). In collaboration with James Schmitz, this multi‑channel animation premieres as a Midnight Moment, exploring centuries of ecological and social systems along the Hudson. Coinciding with Marina’s Parting Worlds exhibition at the Whitney as a mesmerizing blend of software-based works, animations, and site‑specific installations examining ecological interdependence—this Times Square presentation is a unique extension of that work.
We’re thrilled to invite you to the opening of The Banned Books Trading Card Project at Valley Cottage Library, Valley Cottage, NY on Saturday, September 6, 1–3PM
AYB Artists included in the project are: Assata Benoit, Travis Pereira, Leah Eliopulos, Lila Green, Abriel (bob) Gardner, Candy Heiland, Free Inside, Meridith McNeal, Jacob Rath, and Marie Roberts
Banned Book images by Assata Benoit, Abriel (bob) Gardner, and Lila Green
At the event, this years deck of beautiful art trading cards will be unveiled. Sets of cards will be available for sale at the library's circulation desk.
For all of the AYB Teachers who are getting classrooms ready and in some cases back in action, very very best wishes for the start of the new school year!
🌈 ☁️ 🌞
Yes, there is! 💚
Wow! There is a lot going on.