Trust in the room

frida@artyardbklyn.org
Aug 1
5 min read

Updated: Aug 4

While there were no AYB classes this week, it does not mean we have not been busy! In fact, it was quite a week!

We started the week de-installing our exhibition From A to Z at The Gallery at 180 Franklin Avenue. I was grateful to be assisted in this task by our newest intern Allison Schwartz.

From A to Z at The Gallery at 180 Franklin Avenue, and AYB Intern Allison Schwartz

Allison (she/her) is a native New Yorker with a BA in English and Film & Television Studies from the University of Vermont and an MSc in Global Development from the University of Manchester. In her relatively short career, Allison has had the opportunity to help maximize the impact of organizations in Australia, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Rwanda, and of course, the United States. While she generally works in global development and research, she is a lifelong patron of the arts and is eager to support organizations that enable the creative spirit of her city to survive and thrive. In addition to nonprofit development, Allison is a seasoned copywriter and is beginning to dip her toes in the world of graphic design.

Highly recommended by board member Elinore Antell, Allison jumped right in – even learning new skills as she used a drill to deinstall our wood spear installation. Allison and I delivered the artwork to my house. (I will bring the art to BWAC in the fall for pick up at our first Advanced Studio Session.) Then we met up with Dennis to brainstorm on how Allison can best help AYB with her particular skills and interests. Yeee ha -- Welcome Allison to the AYB community!

That evening AYB Curators (!!!) Jacob Rath and Lenika Silva came by to organize and make curatorial decisions for our exhibition Hold Dear. AYB Social Media Manager & Strategist Liv Collins joined us to talk about, well, social media and strategy for the project.

Leni and Jacob install as Liv squeals in the background

Liv could not help squealing out loud as she looked at the finished curatorial placement. They are using the model galleries made by Quentin so that we can work to scale.

Hold Dear (Kept): Meridith McNeal, Neah Gray, Luna Velayandom Neven du Mont, Florian Velayandom Neven du Mont — *Hold Dear (Kept)*: Meridith McNeal, Neah Gray, Luna Velayandom Neven du Mont, Florian Velayandom Neven du Mont

Hold Dear (Left Behind): Asiana Billie, Jacob Rath, Lenika Silva, Meridith McNeal, John Brentwood and Ed Rath — *Hold Dear (Left Behind)*: Asiana Billie, Jacob Rath, Lenika Silva, Meridith McNeal, John Brentwood and Ed Rath

Hold Dear (Kept): Meridith McNeal, Jacob Rath, Jazz Gilette

Hold Dear (Kept): Evelyn Beliveau, Delphine Levenson, Mia Lew, Meridith McNeal, Jazz Gilette, Lenika Silva — *Hold Dear (Kept):* Evelyn Beliveau, Delphine Levenson, Mia Lew, Meridith McNeal, Jazz Gilette, Lenika Silva

Jacob also worked on organizing the zine pages which will function as our catalogue for the exhibition.

Hold Dear (Left Behind): Asiana Billie, Ed Rath, Elias Silva, Cindy Zacarias, Abriel (bob) Gardner, Jacob Rath, Briana (Cammi) Camacho, Adji Ngathe Kebe — *Hold Dear (Left Behind)*: Asiana Billie, Ed Rath, Elias Silva, Cindy Zacarias, Abriel (bob) Gardner, Jacob Rath, Briana (Cammi) Camacho, Adji Ngathe Kebe

Leni announced at the end of the evening that she feels so fortunate to be collaborating with Jacob on this project, explaining that the superb communication they have maintained throughout has deepened her understanding of and love for the project. Jacob replied that he feels his Montessori Teacher Training set him up for success as a collaborator.

Studio windows & stone wall for top floor Hold Dear (Kept), miniature signage featuring paintings by Evelyn Beliveau

CAN YOU HELP?

We are seeking sponsorship

to cover the costs of shipping and catalogue printing for this project.

If you or someone you know would be willing to sponsor let us know!!!

Wednesday I braved the heat wave and daunting train delays to head up to the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation (MPTN).

Staff entrance to Mashantucket Pequot Museum — Staff entrance to *Mashantucket Pequot Museum*

I was met at the train in New London by Connor Smith, nephew of Michael Thomas, who greeted me with a big hug and delightful conversation as we drove to the reservation. At the Mashantucket Pequot Museum I was greeted by Marcia Brennen, then met up with Museum Director Josh Carter and Intern Sophia Francesca a recent RISD graduate in Architecture.

Josh, Sophia and I had one of those inspiring circuitous conversations which flow from topic to topic with ease, intelligence and excitement. Sophia brought me on a tour of the museum, and Connor brought me up in the lookout tower to enjoy the sweeping vistas of the beautiful verdant reservation.

Museum installation views of Pequot Villiage diorama, stone carving, artifacts with a tiny right leg from a porcelain doll and a lego miniature structure by a student. Photos Meridith McNeal.

Intern Sophia Francesca shows off her corn husk figurine in progress from earlier community workshop

Michael Thomas (for AYB Advanced Studio folks – Rain’s father!) and I got lunch at a delicious local spot, continued on the grand tour and stopped for a chat with Bob de Robbio at his home with splendid views of the water.

I am certain there is a great collaboration for AYB and MPTN ahead!

Other Art News

AYB Artist Cheyenne Rivera enthuses: “Congrats on a great summer session I’ve been loving the year of migration pieces so far!! Can’t wait to work with the theme in the fall. & I wanted to share my favorite piece of my own work that I’ve done so far this summer ☺️☺️ Hope you’re having a great summer 💕💕”

Cheyenne Rivera, “Venusian”, Acrylic marker on paper

AYB Artist Vera B. has been thinking about expanding her materials to include denim. I was so excited to see her latest studio project! Vera writes: "Here is my first attempt at using denim as a medium. It is called Inspired by Tupac - He wrote a poem about a rose growing from concrete."

Vera B., Inspired by Tupac, 2025, denim collage — Vera B., *Inspired by Tupac*, 2025, denim collage

AYB Karla Prickett responds to recent recaps: “Wow Wow Wow! The final Summer Session recap was AMAZING!! GREAT works and super attendance !!”

I received this lovely note from AYB Teaching Artist Iviva Olenick. It is wonderful when someone takes the time to write a thoughtful heartfelt missive. This one is particularly special as it is a compliment for our entire community!

Iviva writes: “I’ve been meaning to send you a note to say how special I found our AYB summer session lesson. The thoughtfulness and engagement of each artist is equivalent to the work I see my SVA MFA students doing in our day-long critiques each week. The willingness to share personal beliefs, family and political narratives also speaks to the high level of trust in the room. Thank you for including me in this increasingly growing community, and for the home cooked lunch!”

During our Year of Literacy we referenced Antoine De Saint Exupéry's Le Petite Prince (1943) many times. It was a thrill to come across this bronze public sculpture by Jean-Marc de Pas (2023) on my way to the Metropolitan Museum of Art!

I went to see Sargent in Paris at the Met before it closes on August 3rd.

I love John Singer Sargent! Having read just about everything ever written about him, and thus I am familiar with most of the work in the exhibition. What is remarkable is standing a few inches from the paintings, able to trace the path of his brush. For example: look at these shoes and stockings just a little loose.