What a little moonlight can do
- frida@artyardbklyn.org
- 4 days ago
- 9 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
This week ART YARD BKLYN has been manifesting the New Moon introspection and renewal!
We kicked things off on Zoom by exploring the phases of the moon, then dove into zine-making at 180 Franklin, focusing on the theme of non-native species. We are so excited to have lead a huge seasonal printmaking session at PS 34!
Plus—tickets are now available for our Movers & Shakers Benefit Party on November 22!
On Monday in AYB Advanced Studio on Zoom, we set the tone for the New Moon with a fascinating exploration of lunar phases. AYB Artist Neah Gray led us through a thoughtful session that combined art-making with celestial observation, helping us reflect on cycles of change, intention-setting, and personal growth. Participants created artwork inspired by the moon’s phases while discussing its symbolism and presence across cultures.
Neah thoughtfully reviews the session: “This week during art class on Zoom, we explored the mystery and movement of the moon. Students learned about the different moon phases and reflected on how the moon’s changes can mirror our own inner phases of growth, emotion, and transformation.
Inspired by artists like Vincent van Gogh, Edvard Munch, and Michelangelo, we looked at how the moon and night sky have influenced visual artists throughout time and cultures.
Each artist then created their own interpretation of the moon and sky, drawing further inspiration from their own personal experiences and memorable encounters with the moon. Cheyenne and Vera even shared older artwork that reflected their admiration and depictions of the moon.
Cheyenne Rivera, Pink Moon and Flower Moon Phase, and Vera B. Foot Print on the Moon
Often shown as gray, black, or white, my favorite part of this class was the use of color throughout the artworks. Adji, Rashidah, Ed, Travis and I (Neah) used bold pinks, blues, oranges and purples throughout our skies and landscapes to mirror the range, complexity and depths of the moon phases. Students were able to learn from one another, make their own connections, and highlight the influences of the lunar phases on astrology and the Hebrew calendar. I appreciate how the pieces ranged from literal to abstract interpretations. Although the moon was the main focus of the class and artwork, a lot of attention, detail, time, and even space on the page, was dedicated to the environment and landscape surrounding the moon. This intention on the surrounding environment is an artistic example of how the moon can affect both our inner and external state.
When looking at Fatima’s moon phases, it reminds me of the dance the Earth and moon make in the night sky as it orbits during the month, while Jacob’s art is a surreal POV of the beauty and grandeur of the moon from our perspective here on Earth. I was immediately drawn to Richie’s feather-like moon and line art; showing a simple, whimsical and stunning approach to this moon art class. Rashidah’s retro, colorful, bold, and interactive artwork was quite literally, out of this world. I appreciate her out of the box thinking, and her nostalgic yet futuristic style when creating this piece. As a lover of all things colorful, bold, and abstract, other students and I resonated deeply with her art.”
Meridith, Cammi and Aaron had conceptual approach. Meridith started with a stargazer app current view of the moon placement superimposed over her studio (red carpet still visible peeking through the inky night sky. Cammi employs an depth of field and intentional shading to create a layered scenic landscape focusing on night blooming plants, in layers of narrative around place. Aaron's broken glass with moon like shard, reminded Ed of work by Magritte.
Aaron W., Moon Phases and René Magritte, Evening Falls, 1964
Vera B. describes her work: “I chose to create a piece using the New Moon phase, which is not visible. Metallic silver tissue paper was to make it stand out. My birthday, 10/21, fell on the New Moon and the metallic paper represents a personal commitment to continue to allow the essence of who I am to shine. The craters were made out of construction paper and you might notice that one resembles a heart. This represents the unique ways hearts have been showing up in my environment. These two showed up on my birthday. ❤️”
Vera B., Moon Phases and two birthday hearts
Karla writes about her piece: “This piece is based on two personal experiences with the full moon! The first being a photo I took during the recent blood moon occurrence. I went to a dark location and look to the east as the moon on the horizon cast shadows from trees across the foreground. The second experience is that I cannot sleep or fall asleep during a full moon. When I wonder why I’m not sleeping, I walk to a window at the back of my house and look up and sure enough the moon is full and illuminating my entire backyard ! I did some research into astrology and found out that I was born on the day of a full moon!!! Maybe some correlation?”
Karla Prickett, Moon Photo and Moon Phases Collage
Neah sums up: “Overall, we were able to dig deeper into ourselves and reimagine something we see every day. We connected the moon’s movement through the sky to our semester theme of Migration and our personal journeys. Even my own art brand, PHAZE, which I introduced last year through an inspirational poster class, is inspired by the phases of the moon and our own internal phases. We may shift, evolve, or go through uncomfortable phases, but it’s important to remember that, just like the moon, we all go through our own phases too, and we can keep hope that we will continue to change and transform, for the better.
Bonus fun fact: Right after class, Jacob tipped us off that the news reported that NASA confirmed Earth has a “quasi-moon” in its orbit, meaning we now have “two moons”. Double the beauty!”
On Tuesday, Advanced Studio met in person at 180 Franklin Avenue, where we dove into the world of zine-making. Our focus was on non-native species—plants, animals, and insects that have been introduced to new environments, often with unexpected consequences. AYB Artist Leni Silva came prepared with detailed picture and information sheets to guide our research and spark creative responses. Using folded paper techniques, participants crafted original zines that blended education and visual storytelling.
Leni summarizes: “This week, our artists at AYB Advanced Studio delved into the world of zine-making, creating a vibrant series focused on non-native and migratory species. Exploring the zine's history as an accessible, self-published "little magazine," the class worked with the single-sheet, centerfold format. Each artist selected a species and developed their own creative concept, from crafting informative guides to telling abstract stories that unfolded with every page turn.
A companionable session, everyone singing along to the radio as they work! (use arrows to scroll)
The resulting zines were a diverse collection of media and styles, with some featuring collages of found text and images, and others showcasing unique pages created with watercolors, alcohol-based markers, and decorative paper.”
Angela Vartanian, Eastern Red Bat Zine
Fisola Famuyiwa, Cat Zine
Asiana Billie, Burmese Pythons Zine
Meridith McNeal, Snow Goose Zine
Lenika Silva, Feral Cat Zine
Dylan Gomez, Lady Bug Zine
Maria Polanco, Lion Fish Zine
Lilo Lewis, Beetle Zine
Dalanny Gomez, Cat Zine
We are thrilled that Dalanny and Dylan Gomez, young members of the 180 Franklin community, have joined the ranks of AYB Artists! They actively participated in all aspects of the session from the introductory dialogue, art-making, right through critique!
Managing Director Dennis Bounagura reports: "On Friday, Teaching Artist Leni Silva and I participated in PS 34 (The President Barack Obama School)'s Fall Harvest STEAM Festival - an extremely busy art-making action-packed 3 hours. In total, we had 12 classes from grades K-3 totalling about 250 students! The lesson involved apple stamping with paint (and either black paint or crayon for the details). Sounds simple? THINK AGAIN!
The event was held in the school yard - we had 6 tables and 10 minutes per class. Think: SPEED DATING!!!
During the week, Leni and I 'rehearsed' 10 minute lessons to fit the theme of the event - we did this by video-ing our tests and brainstorming ideas (since Leni lives in Queens and I live in Manhattan). Things we KNEW we had to overcome: paint had to dry quickly (we tested - tempera dried faster than acrylic), apples had to be perfectly dry, Sharpies did not work for details since the tempera paint dried a tiny bit waxy, and corralling dozens of students in the midst of lots of stimulation. We also knew that we had our ART YARD reputation to keep up - we wanted students to produce an art piece and not just participate in craft making.
WE SUCCEEDED! Thanks to the event's organizer, Valerie Roper, and our excellent ATC (Artistically Talented Class) students (who were our docents last week). Leni excels at remaining calm (I need to know her secret!) .... so all went very well.
The K kids used tempera paint sticks (which practically dried instantly) while the older grades brushed paint onto their apples. We used 5 x 7 size paper for some (knowing our time was very limited so we opted for a smaller size) and offered a one minute demonstration. Our docents acted as teaching artists in training - which worked extremely well. Classroom teachers participated too to keep things moving smoothly.
The apple stamps turned into pumpkins/Jack O Lanterns, apples with funny faces, crabs, butterflies - some even looked like lung Xrays to me! End result - HAPPY KIDS!
The students were orderly, enjoyed the lesson, were thrilled to make art - and then moved on to other activities. They also got to choose their own pumpkin from hundreds of pumpkins donated to the school and placed in the front garden to create a pumpkin patch.
I am thrilled to announce that my (Meridith) retrospective exhibition Peer is opening in November at Small House Gallery in London. In fact, AYB Artist Suzanne Santiago, currently on a semester abroad in London will be assisting Gallery Director Eldi Dundee with the installation!
I am also happy to share my recently completed painting Inside Outside Pink House (Upper East Side, Manhattan) the painting will be included on the next US stop of the exhibition!
Currently enrolled in her first semester at Rhode Island School of Design, AYB Artist Mia Lew, shares her newest work.
Mia explains: “It’s colored pencil and ink for my design class, 50x60". The prompt was to be inspired by a conceptual experience at a greenhouse at Brown. These are earlier related drawings and an artist book.”
Mia Lew, Drawings, colored pencil on paper
“I’m having a great time here at RISD, I’m very busy but I’m very glad I decided to go here.”
Mia Lew, Ovarian Cysts, Artist Book, 2024
AYB Artist Evelyn Beliveau shares this update from their studio: “The dolls series continues, thanks in part to a conversation with my sister in which I asked her, should I keep doing this again and again and see what happens? She told me to go for it, and I'm glad I have.
I've been keeping the scale constant (8x10 inches), as well as the palette (mostly earth tones) and isolation of the subject matter on a dark background, while slightly changing the positions of the figures within the theme of an embrace. I've also consistently been doing pre-painting headspace prep, usually using music to focus on my own feelings and memories so I can approach each painting session with real tenderness.
Evelyn Beliveau, Doll Series (painting details), 2025
I've got four paintings finished now that feel cohesive enough to form a united series, and I'm planning to make at least three more this fall. I saw some paintings today that made me thirst for more vibrant color and oil paint (my series is in acrylic), so I'm sure I'll loosen these constraints soon and enter another period of experimentation-- but it feels good to zero in on something right now.”
AYB Benefit Party Movers & Shakers Exhibition Opening
Saturday, November 22 | 6:00–9:00 PM
180 Franklin Avenue, Brooklyn
YOU MUST CLICK THROUGH TO GALABID TO PURCHASE ENTRY & RAFFLE TICKETS
Celebrate creativity, resilience, and community with ART YARD BKLYN! Join us for the opening of our Movers & Shakers exhibition and benefit party—an evening of live music, poetry, hands-on art-making, and joy.
Tickets start at just $20, with tiered pricing options if you'd like to give more.
Don’t miss our high-energy raffle—click here to get your tickets!! Raffle tickets are $20 each, and prizes include - Original artwork, Home décor and art related services by AYB Artists.
Some raffle items!
🌝 🍁🧡🎃
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