Rather than the paved roads
- frida@artyardbklyn.org
- Mar 28
- 9 min read
Updated: Mar 28
Creating with ART YARD BKLYN is a vibrant creative venue for artists of all ages and experience. In this recap you will read an enthusiastic quote from first-time AYB Advanced Studio attendee Thomas Albin, as well as humorous quip from master artist Ed Rath conjuring up a 30+ year old memory to fuel his project in the same session. From novice to expert this is a vibrant community which thrives on an atmosphere of kindness and respect.
This holds true for our school partnerships where Dennis and his team are making remarkable art. I think you can see why we call our school program ART YARD Art Matters in the School.
On Saturday, March 22nd, two vital organizations that serve the greater Brooklyn arts community joined forces in celebration of the gift of music and, more specifically, the musician and baroque composer extraordinaire, Johann Sebastian Bach (who’s birthday falls on the previous day). Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition and ART YARD BKLYN are the two entities that combined for the exhibition titled, Reading Music, coinciding with AYB’s Year of Literacy theme. This event became an afternoon of communal connection, enchantment, poetry, and of course music.
Work by Ardelia (Dede) Lovelace & signage by Vee Tineo and Meridith McNeal; Ryan and Cecile admire work by Free Inside; Evelyn's musician friend Nelson and model for the trio of paintings by Evelyn Beliveau, and installation view with work by Meridith McNeal and Reg Lewis.
Teaching Artist Reg Lewis summarizes the superb start to our week: “Upon arrival into the exhibition space located in BWAC’s café area, attendees are immediately greeted by Resonating Chamber, a site-specific mural created by Advanced Studio artists that explores how sound and space interact. Using the shapes of musical instruments with resonating chambers, like guitars, violins, and lutes, the mural looks at how sound fills a space and how visual art can mirror that experience. The resulting artwork also mirrored the musical portion of the event as Bach’s iconic Goldberg Variations would later fill the exhibition space as performed by award-winning pianist, Beyza Yazgan—variation standing as the operative word. Whereas the Goldberg composition features 30 variations on the theme, the mural matches the musical aesthetic of presenting variations on a theme. The large monochromatic piece also seems to provide a harmonic echo as suggested by the structure of the instruments as complemented by the chamber-toned interior of BWAC.
The art exhibit portion of the event was curated by Meridith McNeal who brought together many talented artists who presented a diverse range of interpretations that illustrated their visceral connection to music; the work on display for Reading Music was created by Meridith McNeal, Evelyn Beliveau, Vee Tineo, Ajani Russell, Ed Rath, Ardelia (Dede) Lovelace, Free Inside, Aisha Tandiwe Bell, and Cecile Chong.
ART YARD teaching artist, Reg Lewis also contributed to Reading Music by sharing a brief but poignant poem titled Alabama to correspond with his acrylic portrait of John Coltrane, who composed the song of the same name. The reading was followed by the warm buzz of artists and patrons connected to not only both organizations, and the full range artistic expression, but also to manifesting the highest order of community (in perfect harmony—pun intended). The attendees dined on light bites and other wonderful refreshments which also felt curated for additional aesthetic impact. By the end of the exhibit, it was abundantly clear that both organizations had broken ground to an increased bond as they both share the mutual aim to offer and provide artists the best platform available in Brooklyn. Overall, it was a splendid day of art, poetry, and music that should set the tone for many other meaningful, striking collaborations between Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition and ART YARD BKLYN. The exhibition closes on April 8th, so please be sure to visit by then. You will be filled with delightful sights and sound.”
AYB Teaching Artist Fatima Traore writes about her session this week in Advanced Studio on Zoom. “Inspired by this year’s theme of Literature, I encouraged participants to explore “Words to Live By.” We all have phrases, mantras, or quotes that shape us, whether passed down or personally discovered. This lesson focused on the words we truly believe in and live by.
Drawing inspiration from Patrick Dougher’s paintings, which both simplify and elevate figures while emphasizing text, and Margaret Murphy’s work, which subtly conceals messages beneath layers of paint, I guided participants in considering different ways to integrate text into their art. I also shared examples of how language and history evolve, requiring messages to be reinterpreted, relocated, or modernized over time.
The result was a diverse collection of artworks, each artist bringing a unique perspective to their “Words to Live By.”
Rachel embodied her concept Practice on many levels the piece thus art mimicking the idea!
Adji explained that her quote “The place you keep pristine for yourself” made her think of a heart or mind palace.
Neah’s drawing iterates one of her mothers admonishments surrounded by “stone soup”.
Vera B. takes inspiration in words from The Lion King.
Meridith got her message across with a Magical Things set up featuring a well-placed book by bell hooks.
Remarkably Leah, working at home from her bed with the flu, created an energetic diptych around the phrase Reality Isn’t Real.
Fatima cleverly slipped her messages onto tote bags nonchalantly carried by a woman.
Cammi took the opportunity to create work about how self-conscious she felt working with a stye in her eye, only to realize her co-workers had not noticed what she felt was a disfigurement.
Clementine and Scarlett quoted favorite songs:
Cheyenne created a floral font and finished off her work with a soothing watercolor to get across a message she is working on embodying.
Karla’s collage is about working on locating a tree which had been the site of a lynching in Kansas. The aim to create awareness and erect a memorial to the person who was murdered at the site. Karla was part of the process to honor the deceased and bring awareness. The candle is symbolic of his spirit
Vee created ceramic plates (as of yet unfired) quoting Harriet Tubman: “Don't ever stop. Keep going. If you want a taste of freedom, keep going.”
Vee Tineo, The Thing You Can Control, & Don't Ever Stop
Marilyn used a wax resist technique taught to us by Fatima in an earlier session to hide her text When Life Gives You Lemons…
Lila (busy with professional development which conflicts with class time) worked from Fatima’s PowerPoint and lesson plan to create her piece!
In our studio at BWAC Advanced Studio in person created figurines out of clay with Liv Collins. More challenging than we anticipated it was quite an adventure into a new material for most of us.
Liv recaps: “This week in the Advanced Studio art class, we made figurines using air-dry clay. The lesson was inspired by the long history of figurines in human culture, which dates back over 400,000 years. I encouraged the class to create their own small figures based on things they find interesting.
In her personified peas and tomatoes, Leni achieved a remarkably velvety surface color by blending white into her color base.
In the animal category Jacob swiftly started with a pink and gold bull, Ed created a squirrel and a snail, Keenan a portrait of her dog and a lady bug, Gem formed a pink inchworm, Adji a colorful butterfly, Ty a bumble bee, and Scarlett a pair of ducks, Clementine created two variations on a cat. In the mythical animal subset, Cheyenne formed a purple cat and a unicorn. (In that order below)
I (Liv) was inspired by Leni’s childhood clowning activities.
Many folks portrayed characters from stories and shows. Thomas created Gligar from Pokémon, Mich constructed a clown cat, Grace sculpted Cyclops Worm & Strawberry Hello Kitty, Maria made Finn from Adventure Time, Jacob formed a character from "Where Were You Bert?" a phonics book he uses in his classroom. (In that order below)
Ariel, Elias and Meridith made theirs based off of previous art they’ve made in other mediums! (In that order with images of older artwork which served as character inspiration)
Ed Rath emailed: “See the article below for a photo of Quark, the alien that inspired my air-dry-clay bust. I did it from memory of watching the TV show thirty years ago. Didn't have the where-withal to google it during class on Tuesday. My bad.”
It was exciting to see the creativity flow and I was really impressed with the uniqueness of each figurine. Everyone really embraced the challenge of using a new medium and the pieces look fantastic.”
Others agree!
“It was a very fun and inviting class for an inexperienced artist. I enjoyed recreating a favorite character of mine using a medium I was completely unfamiliar with.” -Thomas Albin
“I had so much fun with Liv’s lesson! She allowed all of us to tap into a childlike creative energy that felt healing and necessary. Her preparedness and passion for the medium truly shone through, making it a beautiful lesson for all involved” – Gem Mercado
“Liv gave a great lesson about figurines that allowed everyone to jump right into it. This was the first time for many people using modeling clay and it was more challenging than expected. It was so much fun watching everyone’s figures come to life.” -Lenika Silva
“Every little movement has a meaning of its own”.
Sung by Judy Garland, and quoted by Dennis
as per this week's AYB School programs!
At PS 17, in Jersey City, Teaching Artist Lionel (Leo) Emabat subbed for Evelyn - at my request (to avoid a disruption in Evelyn’s lesson plan cycle), Leo created a “one day lesson” which all students loved. Based on a style of two step animation, Leo demonstrated the proper way to fold paper and identify the bits which would open and close. First drafting in pencil then covering with sharpie (and some added color), students produced works that had stretchy cheese pizza, little versus tall people, and building that grew and grew.
During these 4 sessions, Teaching Artist/Muralist Giannina Gutierrez (Gia) continued details on the library mural and Leo also moved forward with this designed the Women’s History Month plaques.
Sounds like a lot going at PS 17 on Wednesdays?? You’re right - and you ain’t seen nothing yet. Teaching Artist Marina Soliman taught our afterschool students various shading techniques while they worked on their still life portraits of a cup filled with brushes etc. All are fantastic as the images show.
On Friday at PS 6, also in Jersey City. Teaching Artist Leo Emabat hosted the final lesson in Wayang Puppet making - thanks to the terrific PS 6 teachers who participated in this project.
It was like an assembly day - Leo demonstrated how to put puppets together with hole punchers, fasteners, tape, which made them animated.
A make up class was held at the end of our puppet lessons for those students needing extra time with their Sendak paintings or comic strip drawings.
Lots of successes in Jersey City this week!
Other Art News
OPPORTUNITY REMINDER: If you have not done so already, you should really apply to Valley Cottage Library's 2025 Banned Book Trading Card and exhibition open call!!!
Congratulations to AYB Artist Candy Heiland who has work included in two exhibitions -- Elysium at Incubator Studio Gallery on 56 Bogart Street, Brooklyn, lower level south (entrance outside to the right downstairs) opening Sunday April 6, 1-5 PM and an upcoming show titled Order/Chaos at BWAC opening April 6, from 1-6pm.
AYB Artist Hawley Hussey reports from the road: “I’m in the desert for a few days before a writers conference in La and there is this cool app and art all around the desert and look!!❤️” (then from LA) “I did the set up today! My publisher designed every little bit!! Amazing!”
Bridging into the next category, we loved Hawley Hussey, The Lonesome Threesome (Nauset Press, 2024) in particular the way that Hawley blends her narrative style with her visual artistry!
What We Are Reading
While I am not quite finished reading The Long Run: A Creative Inquiry by Stacey D'Erasmo, I found a quote early on which I felt quite drawn to:
“How do we keep doing this? What happens over a lifetime of doing this? In urban planning, the habitual paths taken by people on foot or on bicycle rather than the paved roads, which either don’t exist or are too linear and awkward, are called “desire paths.” What do the desire paths of writers and artists who have done this over a lifetime look like?”
Take a minute to mull that over… I think this concept is applicable to folks at all points in their journey. What are the paths you have taken which you forged yourself? How has that process gone hand and hand with your artmaking?
By popular demand, you (Travis!!) can now get your own Coffee House poster (or coasters or t-shirt...) on the AYB Red Bubble Shop!
💗🧡💛🩵💚💙❤️💜
Comments