Huge thanks go to artist Scott Greenfield for this wonderful ART YARD video! It will soon find a place on our home page (you are the first to see it here in this recap!).
As I walked into MS 226 in South Ozone Park Queens earlier this week there were swarms of upper elementary students streaming out of the school. They were coming from a tour of the school and were buzzing with excitement! Dennis was already in the lobby chatting with Assistant Principal Michele Cohen. Dennis and I met with Principal Dr. Rushell White to finalize plans for the Year of Reflection at ART YARD Gallery at MS 226.
After that exciting meeting we went up to the gallery. It is such a joy to walk into our space. The light streaming in so welcoming as we behold the splendid exhibition of our students work. (I am so glad that this beautiful show is up as the prospective students tour the school!!)
Advanced Studio participants lived up to their title this week!!
Teaching Artist Rachael Wren was so impressed with the level of focus and artmaking in the room that she rolled two lessons into one day. And, oh my, what great results!
Rachael set up a still life in the middle of the room, positioning tables in a sort of arced circle so that artists could view the set up clearly.
We worked in ink on paper in three timed stages (from where we sit, a little closer, close up). Then held a mid-session critique. Enthusiastic with the results, we went in for another cycle of three.
This added up to six completed pieces!
The final critique filled me with much joy as Advanced Studio demonstrated to me that we are fulfilling the ART YARD mission with gusto! That indeed ART YARD BKLYN is a sanctuary where everyone is treated with kindness and respect. We are a community of creative thinkers, expansive dreamers, and well-educated art makers.
The exhibitions that opened this week are fantastic!!
Vera, Blaze and I loved ART YARD Teaching Artist Glendalys Medina’s The Shank at Participant, Inc. Glendalys’s huge mixed media on wood panel self-portrait and portraits of her parents are not only spot on likenesses, they are layered in symbolic detail and craft.
ART YARD Teaching Artist Cecile Chong’s window installation Straingers at the window at One Main is superbly realized, beautifully installed and compelling on many levels. A bonus is that the window is illuminated and open for viewing 24 hours a day! You must stop by the next time you are in DUMBO!
In Chelsea at M55 Gallery ART YARD Teaching Artist Ed Rath’s exhibition Metropolis is stupendous. Albert Chang (wearing a scarf knit by Dennis!) and I had a powerful discussion comparing Metropolis to Ed’s last solo exhibition which we visited as a class. We concur that while the work is absolutely Ed Rath, it is also completely fresh, new and exciting!
It was great to see Rachel, Jacob, Shalisa, Albert and Estelle and of course Ed. Again, my joy at the community we have created.
FYI Ed will be in the gallery every Saturday in November. I encourage you all to stop in to see the exhibition. I can guarantee you will be inspired!
PLEASE HELP ME SPREAD THE WORD and encourage ticket sales for Les Amis de ART YARD; our first annual benefit at Appétit Bistro on Saturday, November 23 from 12:30-2:30pm.
Yes, the party is in Port Chester, NY not here in the 5 boroughs. However, you can take the 11:36 Metro North to Port Chester out of Grand Central, then a 2 minute cab ride and be there in time to enjoy the full party!
With joy,
