That’s a wrap
- frida@artyardbklyn.org
- 4 days ago
- 8 min read
Our final week of programming for the AYB Year of Migration was everything we could hope for – chock full of exuberant artmaking, lively conversation, inspiring art history, and celebration of the work we have accomplished.
For the last Advanced Studio on Zoom session of our Year of Migration theme, we explored the history and quilt work of Gee‘s Bend, an isolated rural community in Alabama, known for its generations of Black women quilt makers, with AYB Artist Neah Gray.
Neah writes: “This community is known for their unique, bold, and distinct style of quilt making, which descends from their history of using fabric scraps, household materials, and other textiles they could find to create their works of art. I first introduced this lesson to my middle school art students, who decided to make their own vibrant patterns, shapes, and designs based off quilts from Gee‘s Bend over the past centuries. My favorite part of this year‘s theme has been the integral connection to our own personal stories of travel, family history, experiences, and even our emotional journeys. Throughout our classes, this common theme has bonded us in ways we didn’t imagine. For example, I love learning about Leah and her family from Barbados, and our shared experiences as people with Caribbean descent. Our fire last year in Red Hook affected us all, and throughout the artwork we produced in the classes following, we got to understand each other‘s perspectives and journeys of coping with this loss and transition.
I love abstract art, and how universally accessible it is to artists and people of all artistic skill levels. Meredith noted Gee‘s Bend as the predecessor to modern abstract art, highlighting how art across different mediums can influence one another. As of 2020, the population in Gee’s Bend was 208 people. However, their art has touched all parts of the world and influenced thousands of art pieces thereafter. The impact of Gee‘s Bend is important because it is evidence that no matter how small a community is, interconnectedness, hard work, and the power of art can be transformational on levels exponentially bigger than those who produce it. Art is not about size, skill, or complexity, but rather what it entails, the feelings it invokes, and the power it has to make us contemplate things outside of ourselves. Abstract art is important because it uses colors, textures, lines, shapes, and forms to tell a story, rather than normal depictions of people, places, or things. It allows us to see beyond the lines, and instead, mirror ourselves as we interpret the art through our own lens.
Jacob’s artwork from this class was exceptional. Each triangle and shape held a different story and energy that looped you in. His artwork is one I could stare at for several minutes.
I love how Aaron used photography, sewing (mending a torn jacket), graphic design (reorganizing and colorizing the photos), and composition (in a quilt-inspired pattern) to create his artwork.
The vortex-like design was something that drew me in immediately to Sudan’s drawing.
I enjoyed Marilyn‘s artwork because the different designs for each side of the border reminded me of the uniqueness and finishings of a quilt.
Meridith’s artwork connected both her journey with ART YARD BKLYN and the design elements of Gee’s Bend seamlessly.
I also enjoyed how Flo integrated the background of patterned textiles into his artwork, both as a background and a medium.
Vee and Amelia worked with vibrant color schemes that do justice to the wonderful colorful play of Gee’s Bend quilting over the years.
Vee Tineo (left), and Amelia Tineo (right), Gee’s Bend Quilt Inspired Personal Migration
Leah and Kevin both reference personal history through specific family members.
Leah Eliopulos (left) and Kevin Anderson (right), Gee’s Bend Quilt Inspired Personal Migration
Rachel’s artwork stood out for its bold color, the story connecting family quilting and legacy, as well as her artwork being displayed on the grass!
My (Neah) own work in progress is rooted in my AYB journey.
I’m excited to see what our next theme brings, and to continue connecting, creating, and learning more about our AYB community through our shared love for art.”
It was a raucous session of Advanced Studio in person at 180 Franklin Avenue! In a perfectly planned session led by AYB Artist Assata Benoit and an overfilled roster, we listened to a playlist picked by 11-year-old Dylan. Beginning with Bill Withers’ Lovely Day, Dylan sang along beautifully with extended notes and excellent pitch. As often is the case when we meet in person, most everyone was singing along with Dylan and Bill Withers!
Assata summarizes the session: “I had the absolute privilege of bringing the final Migration class together, and it came full circle. I chose postcards because they are a forgotten form of self-expression and connection between people. Postcards tell a loved one about where you’ve been and where you are going from a time when the phone was not the mainstream, specifically referencing On Kawara’s ‘I Was Here’ series; they ‘demonstrate the daily triumph of human existence.’
The class was restricted to 6x9 cards, which drove them to concentrate their creativity into a smaller space and made for super detailed/thoughtful work. I think somehow, the size of the work made creation easier for attendees (excluding myself, ironically, and Vee, who can be counted on to make a larger-than-life piece!).
Art making in progress
Chatter was louder than normal and many people made multiples!
Artists present for this session: Ariel Abdullah, Juliet Adams, Chris Allen, Kevin Anderson, Assata Benoit, Sigrid Dolan, TJ Edgar, Fisola Famuyiwa, Abriel (bob) Gardner, Dalanny Gomez, Dylan Gomez, Jazz Guillet, Margaret Hardigg, Adji Ngathe Kebe, Sebastian LeBossiere, Mia Lew, Meridith McNeal, Rachel Palmer, Jacob Rath, Cheyenne Rivera, Willa Sippel, Vyomika Tewary, Vee Tineo, and Molly Willis.
We challenged participants to actually mail their postcards, perhaps to themselves or to others, and continue to document the project. We will post updates as folks share.
This was the full-circle sendoff (haha) that left everyone feeling very fulfilled and connected. For us to say “We were here” as ART YARD BKLYN is forever evolving and we make an effort to notice one another every single week.”
Another opening of another show! That’s a wrap for another year of AYB Art Matters at PS 17!
AYB Artist Evelyn Beliveau writes: “On Wednesday, the exhibition of student artwork officially opened. Dennis, Chris, Simone, and I (Evelyn) arrived at the school library early to finish up the last few odds and ends of installation and meet with our team of student docents.
Grade 7 students Nyala, Morgan, Ryam, Ambrielle, Ryan, and King were the stars of the show. As a warmup, they walked through the exhibition first with Chris, then Simone, delivering the crucial info about each project: the grade level of participating students, artists who inspired the project, materials used, and how the subject matter connects to our Year of Migration. Chris and Simone (who were seeing the completed installation for the first time, though each had helped out in the classroom during several of the projects) gave helpful feedback to fine-tune the docents’ presentations and asked reflective questions, encouraging the docents to think back on what they’ve taken away from their time with AYB.
We had several classes come to visit, including our Grade 4 class (who worked on Exploring Outer Space, Women’s History Month Puppets, Shoes: On the Grid, and Goldfinch in Flight); our Grade 7 class (who worked on Exploring Outer Space, Women’s History Month Puppets, Road to the Horizon, and The Migration Series: Collages after Jacob Lawrence); and our Grade 2 class (who worked on Snow Tracks, Women’s History Month Portraits, Jazz Collages, Cars on the Street, and Schools of Fish). We loved reading the appreciative comments their teachers wrote in our guest book. Students listened to the docents present each project in turn and eagerly raised their hands to point out their favorite artworks.
Our docents worked hard to capture their young visitors’ attention and confidently present the exhibition info throughout the day—and they had a taste of classroom management from a teacher’s perspective! With our team always on hand to help out, the docents took charge of making sure visitors stayed a few steps back from the artwork and keeping order as students took turns making comments, asking questions, or trying out the movable arms of the Women’s History Month puppets.
We hope this year’s docents are very proud of themselves. Ryam did a great job memorizing info about multiple projects, King innovated by asking students to define “migration” before launching into his presentation, Ambrielle personalized her speech by pointing out her own favorite artworks, Morgan shared what the puppets project meant to her, and Nyala and Ryan balanced professional poise with engaging energy.
Hearty congratulations to all the students who participated in our program this year, across Grades 1, 2, 4 and 7. I believe I speak for the whole team when I say we’re incredibly proud of the artwork they produced—from sculpture to painting, collage to puppetry, grayscale to full color—and delighted that their work is on view for the school community to appreciate.
Next up: AYB Summer Session – Drawing The Line will take place July 6 - 23, 2026.
Classes are free. Monday and Tuesdays all ages are welcome. Wednesday and Thursday field trips participants over 18. Registration is limited and sessions will be filled first come serve. Enrollment link goes live Sunday June 28 at 5pm.
AYB Summer Session – Drawing The Line
Mondays & Tuesdays - 180 Franklin Avenue, from 11am -3pm. (All ages welcome.)
Wednesdays & Thursdays - Field Trips, time may vary. (Over 18 only)
Mon July 6 Ajani Russell: Drawing The Line
Tues July 7 Delphine Levenson: Writing The Line visual art and poetry
Wed July 8 Jacob Rath: Field Trip to MTA - Art on the Rails
Thu July 9 Ajani Russell: Field Trip to Metropolitan Museum - Gothic Architecture
Mon July 13 Jacob Rath and M Boucai: Exploring Mirrors
Tue July 14 Chris Allen: Sculpture with Line and the work of Ruth Asawa
Wed July 15 Adji Ngathe Kebe: Field Trip to Morgan Library - Tarot Exhibition
Thu July 16 M Boucai: Field Trip to Park (TBD) - Public Space/Public Art: Drawing the Square
Mon July 20 Evelyn Beliveau: Gesture and Contour Line Drawing from Observation Part 1
Tue July 21 Evelyn Beliveau: Gesture and Contour Line Drawing from Observation Part 2
Wed July 22 Neah Gray: Field Trip to Museum of American Indian - Jeffrey Veregge
Thu July 23 Delphine Levenson and Flo Kiniffo-Neven du Mont: Field Trip - MTA - Poetry and Art in Motion
Images from Summer Session 2025
Did you see the rainbow in Brooklyn on June 12?
Rainbows sited by Meridith McNeal, Mia Lew, Jules Lorenzo, Ajani Russell and Abriel (bob) Gardner.
HAPPY PRIDE!!!
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