Every loop, line, and mark
- frida@artyardbklyn.org
- Oct 17
- 9 min read
This week at ART YARD BKLYN, we were creatively, conceptually, and collaboratively inspired with a vibrant celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month at our partnership school PS 34, our adorable vintage photos on zoom, and a playful Advanced Studio in person art making session.
Plus save the date for Movers & Shakers exhibition and benefit, other exciting art news and opportunities. Read on for the details of this week’s ART YARD BKLYN experience!
Advanced Studio on Zoom
This week’s Advanced Studio on Zoom was a journey through time and memory. In Migration: From Childhood to Now, AYB Artist Adji Ngathe Kebe invited participants to reflect on personal transformation — from the earliest stages of life to the present moment. Artists worked with a photo of themselves as a child and used collage and painting to trace the emotional and psychological shifts that shape identity over time. The session was both introspective and revealing, creating space for meaningful dialogue and powerful visual storytelling.
Adji presents the work of Jean Dubuffet on zoom
Adji writes: “We started the lesson by reminiscing about who we were as children. How have we changed—or remained the same? Many of us said we’re still very much the same at our core, just in bigger bodies. Others shared that they now speak up more. We explored how the journey from childhood to adulthood can be seen as a kind of migration—a personal transformation. Even if we stay in the same physical place, everything around us changes, and we ourselves are always evolving.
We also looked at how children and migrants are often spoken about in similar ways. There’s a common narrative that paints children as spoiled, ungrateful, or unintelligent—language that echoes how marginalized groups are often described. Part of the goal of the lesson was to shift that narrative by honoring the creativity, intelligence, and emotional depth of children. We did this by looking at the developmental stages of childhood art:
We also looked at the work of French artist Jean Dubuffet, who deeply valued the creativity and raw expression found in childhood art. He coined the term Art Brut—meaning raw or outsider art—and believed children's art held a kind of purity, free from the constraints of formal training. His own work often reflected the spontaneous energy and visual language of early childhood drawing.
Inspired by Dubuffet, we recreated childhood photographs through drawing. As always, the results were amazing! Meridith’s piece captured a touching moment hanging out with her father while wearing her beloved ballet suit.
Meridith McNeal, Migration: From Childhood
Travis, Leah, Flo, Lila, and Marilyn, each conveyed the innocence of childhood with sensitivity and imagination.
Travis Pereira Migration: From Childhood
Leah Eliopulos, Migration: From Childhood
Florian Velayandom Neven du Mont, Migration: From Childhood
Lila Green, Migration: From Childhood
Marilyn J. August, Migration: From Childhood
Richie and I (Adji) both used digital media:
Adji Ngathe Kebe, Migration: From Childhood
Richard Lee Chong, Migration: From Childhood
Fatima even included writing in her piece, mimicking how she used to write as a child.
In true ART YARD fashion, everyone brought thoughtfulness, emotion, and heart to their work.”
Fatima Traore, Migration: From Childhood
Advanced Studio In Person
At 180 Franklin Avenue, AYB Artist Jacob Rath led a playful yet conceptual session titled An Endless Landscape Project. Inspired by the board game Rivers, Roads, and Rails, artists constructed modular artworks that connect in dynamic ways — forming an ever-expanding visual landscape. This collaborative creation explores systems of movement, interaction, and connection, and will be featured in our upcoming exhibition Movers & Shakers. The energy in the studio was electric, and the resulting work is nothing short of joyful and inventive.
Jacob recaps: “I began class by explaining the board game "Roads, Rivers, Rails," and playing it with the group. The game contains square tiles which have some combination of a road, river, or railway. The pieces must be laid out in a way so that two adjacent pieces have matching edges. In the game, a harmonious city is constructed through a strict adherence to orthogonality (the generalization of the geometric notion of perpendicularity).
After playing the game, I explained the assignment. Everyone received a square piece of paper, and had to draw a river or railroad on it. I designed where the railroads and rivers have to meet the edges of each square, so that different tiles will line up properly. The map I drew was inspired by the shape of the East River between Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, but we had no obligation to draw exactly what was in that area. Instead, we were free to draw anything in the city.
Everyone took the assignment in completely different directions. Some people went for representative paintings, while some people went abstract. Some of us drew places that existed (such as Jazz and Jacob), while other people drew what they wanted to see in the city. Some people focused on realism, while others drew fantastical creatures like mermaids, or rats doing human things. This demonstrated that even though we all live in the same city, we all have completely different ways of viewing it.”
ART YARD Art Matters In The School
AYB Managing Director Dennis Buonagura recaps: “On Wednesday, Teaching Artist Leni Silva and I attended PS 34's Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. Students who participated in our program (about 150–200) had their works on display throughout the school, and six students (from the ATC – Artistically Talented Class) were our (excellent!) docents. Many VIPs from the Jersey City BOE were in attendance, and it gave me a great opportunity to chat about our organization. Seen in the photograph is Noemi Velazquez, President of the Jersey City Board of Education, with PS 34's art teacher, Marilyn Carpena. She was greatly interested in our work and was happy with the students' progress so early in the school year.
Parents, Docent/Artist, and VIP's enjoy the exhibition
After the art tours, invited guests (that included me and Leni) and selected students were led to the auditorium where a mock quinceañera was held. Students wore elaborate gowns, tiaras, and fancy shoes—and were escorted by classmates who served as their damas and chambelanes. We learned about the history of the tradition and its many variations based on region. I was amazed at the choreography—the students were taught to waltz and salsa—and put on a fantastic performance.
Students well dressed for the festivities at PS 34
The food was provided by students from a partnership JC school—MS 40's Culinary Arts Program. We had empanadas, yuca fries, churros, plantain cups, tres leches for dessert—and even coquito (yup—alcohol-free, though—remember, we're in an elementary school!!).
Celebratory refreshments for the event and menu
We were honored to have been included—but then came an even bigger surprise. The principal spoke to the crowd very complimentary about ART YARD and encouraged all guests to once again stop and see the students' art on display. She then asked me to join her on stage to light one of the 15 candles (called La Ceremonia de las Velas de Quinceañera). It's nice to know that the schools think so highly of ART YARD."
Dennis on stage at PS 34. Signage in the school lobby.
ART YARD BKLYN Board Meeting
This week’s AYB Board Meeting was full of momentum and optimism. We shared updates on our fire recovery efforts, celebrated the success of our temporary home at 180 Franklin Avenue, and reviewed funding progress through GoFundMe, wishlist donations, and other community support.
The board also dove into exciting planning for our upcoming Movers & Shakers Benefit (see below!), discussed fall school programming under the Year of Migration theme, and previewed a strong slate of exhibitions through 2026. Big thanks to our dedicated board members and supporters for keeping AYB strong and growing.
Save The Date!
Save the date for Movers & Shakers, the AYB Benefit Party and Exhibition Opening, taking place on Saturday, November 22nd from 6:00–9:00 PM at The Gallery at 180 Franklin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY.
Join us as we celebrate creativity, resilience, and the spirit of community with the opening of our first exhibition of the season, Year of Migration. This festive evening will feature live music, a DJ, poetry, tarot readings, hands-on art-making inspired by the Invasive Species collage project, and a lively raffle with original artworks, creative services, and unique prizes.
Support ART YARD BKLYN by attending, bringing friends, and helping us spread the word!
Other Art News
Congratulations to AYB Artist Abriel (bob) Gardner who presented a work-in-progress solo performance Wednesday evening at Green Lung Studio, a creative sanctuary in Red Hook, Brooklyn. The piece is part of an exciting new direction in her dance practice and focus on choreography.
Reflecting on the experience, Abriel (bob) shared: “The performance went great! I got a lot of good feedback and feel like I really have something to work with now, which feels really good. I’m excited to continue developing this work.”
AYB Artist TJ Edgar, currently studying at Spelman College, recently created a powerful piece for her photography class project Project Appropriation. Tasked with altering the meaning of an archival image, TJ began with a vintage photo of a woman jumping on a beach. Struck by how the image reminded her of a ballerina in a music box, she began researching representations of Black girls on music boxes—only to discover how few existed.
In response, TJ reimagined the photo from the perspective of a young Black girl who longs to see herself reflected in a music box and decides to create one herself. The result is both beautiful and deeply thought-provoking.
Wouldn’t it be amazing if TJ turned this into a real line of inclusive music boxes!
Ajani and I (Meridith) were wowed by Ruth Asawa: Through Line at MoMA!
This exhibition is breathtaking in both scope and spirit. With over 375 works — from her iconic looped-wire sculptures to delicate drawings, carved wooden doors, cast masks, and folded paper forms — the show reveals Asawa as a visionary who created a vast, interconnected world from simple materials and a profound sense of purpose. It’s a huge, comprehensive exhibition, beautifully installed, with more hanging sculptures than we’ve ever seen together in one place. The sheer range — from airborne woven forms to solid bronze — makes her genius all the more evident. We were struck by how the weight of the cast bronze pieces acts as a counterpoint to the ethereal wire works, and how the variations in wire color are brought to life when seen side by side.
Her drawings are mesmerizing, with exquisite color sense and a sensitivity to material that makes even technical imperfections — like the buckling of paper under wet ink — feel intentional and radiant, as if her painted shapes pulse with their own energetic field. Seeing her carved doors and sculpted masks of friends and family added even more dimension. Every element — every loop, line, and mark — feels deeply considered and alive.
But what inspires us most is how she lived her life. Asawa was not only an extraordinary artist, but a community builder, educator, and mother who wove creativity into every corner of her daily existence. She is a true role model — especially for those of us working to build meaningful, inclusive, and art-driven lives.
Seeing this exhibition of Ruth Asawa's work in person is nothing short of magical. Ajani and I left completely inspired and raring to make art. On view at MoMA through February 7, 2026.
Other Art Opportunities
AYB supporter Deborah Simon invites us to visit her studio during Sunset Park Open Studios, taking place October 17–19, 2025. This is a great opportunity to see Deborah’s work in person and experience the creative energy of the artist community at the Bush Terminal campus in Brooklyn.
Her studio will be open Friday, October 17 from 5:30 to 9 PM, and Saturday and Sunday, October 18 and 19, from 12 to 5 PM. The studio is located at 1 43rd Street, Brooklyn, NY 11232, in the Admin Building on the ground floor.
Dennis shares an exciting creative opportunity that may be of interest: a Poster Design Contest from the Central Park Conservancy! Artists are invited to submit original poster designs promoting the new Gottesman Rink at the Davis Center in Central Park, opening this November in Harlem. The winning design will be wheatpasted in public spaces and adapted into digital ads, postcards, and more—so submissions should be eye-catching, flexible, and work well across formats.
Designs should celebrate the energy and diversity of Harlem, the magic of ice skating, and the joy of community fun—think: movement, winter sparkle, and festive flair. One entry per person is allowed, with final submissions due Friday, October 31, 2025, by 4:00 PM. The first prize winner will receive $5,000, plus broad exposure in the Conservancy’s campaign and social media channels. Second and third place winners will also be recognized online.
🧡🍂♥️🍁❤️
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