When our love stands next to your love
- frida@artyardbklyn.org
- Sep 26
- 11 min read
Updated: Sep 27
Which is a building
Which is on fire
On fire
When my love
Stands next to your love
— Talking Heads: 77
When our love stands next to your love, we are reminded that together, ART YARD BKLYN has the power to survive—and to create something new.
As many of you know, a devastating five-alarm fire destroyed our studio, supplies, tools, and archives last Thursday. The impact has been enormous—both emotional and physical.
And yet, we move forward—lifted by the generosity and solidarity of this extraordinary community.
We are grateful to report that we’ve reached 58% of our GoFundMe goal, with donations already helping us begin to replace what was lost and continue our programs. If you haven’t yet contributed—or can help by sharing the campaign with your network—we’d be so thankful. A personal ask really does make a difference.
We’ve also created an Amazon Wish List to replenish the tools and materials we now need on-site at 180 Franklin Avenue, a space familiar to many of you—where we’ve previously curated exhibitions and held events. We’re so grateful to be welcomed back there as our temporary studio home.
Click link to go to our Amazon wish list. Thank you!!
This week, ART YARD Advanced Studio resumed with a resonant two-part session led by Teaching Artist Iviva Olenick—beginning Monday on Zoom and continuing in person Tuesday night. The session, focused on cycles of renewal through seeds and mandalas, offered a space of reflection, healing, and creative expression. Kevin summed it up best: “This is Thanksgiving.”
Meanwhile, ART YARD Art Matters continues in schools, where Managing Director Dennis Buonagura is guiding our youngest artists through meaningful and joyful creative work.
Thank you for being part of this community—especially now. Below, we share photos, reflections, and a closer look at what’s happening as we rebuild, reconnect, and keep creating.
As we navigate getting back on our feet following last week’s fire, this week’s Advanced Studio sessions—held both on Zoom and in person at 180 Franklin Avenue—focused on themes of regeneration, renewal, and growth. Teaching Artist Iviva Olenick led a powerful two-part series titled Seed Stories, Seed Mandalas that invited us to reflect on cycles of rebirth both in nature and within ourselves.
Together, we opened our eyes to the incredible variety of seeds that surround us every day—in street trees and flowers, in the foods we eat like beans, corn kernels, rice, and barley. These sessions encouraged us to consider our own and ancestral connections to seeds, exploring how seed migrations carry rich cultural, geographic, and historic stories.
Through creating mandalas—circular, repetitive patterns echoing seasonal cycles and migrations—artists used seeds, photographs, and drawings to bring these themes to life.
Iviva recaps: "I introduced ideas of renewal, growth, and rebirth through imagery of mandalas and seeds. I started by sharing an image of Dennis Redmoon Darkeem’s 2024 Governors Island installation, which incorporated mandala collages made by community members in his public workshops. I also showed a Hayagriva Mandala made by monks of the Seraje Monastery, India, created with sand and mineral pigments, exhibited at the Denver Art Museum. Finally, I shared images of local seeds from Sweetgum, Empress tree, dandelion, and milkweed. I opened up the idea of mandalas to include designs made inside a circle or other round configurations with patterning, repetition, and sometimes symmetry."
Dennis Redmoon Darkeem, Governors Island installation, 2024, & Tibetan Sand Mandala, Hayagriva Mandala, 1996
Artists then interpreted these ideas through diverse media: Marilyn created a mandala from seeds, a succulent, and a fig leaf; Meridith painted a delicate watercolor of moonflowers; Karla crafted a collage; Travis worked with pen and ink—and many more beautiful pieces took shape.
During Tuesday’s Advanced Studio in-person session, Iviva incorporated several artworks I (Meridith) had cited in Monday’s critique, including the string work by Glendalys Medina, Portia Munson’s flower mandala photographs, and Scrambler paintings (colossal amusement park ride spin art!) by Rosemary Fiore. (images follow in that order)
AYB Artist Jules Lorenzo beautifully writes: "A beginning and an end. Two things we’ve been long accustomed to from even our earliest memories. As children, it’s taught through a storybook, a game, a class. As we get older, we navigate the same in jobs, relationships, apartments, etc. Last week we faced the unexpected and devastating end to our space at BWAC that provided a long-standing home to our Art Yard BKLYN community. It’s something I’m still trying to wrap my mind around. How could this have happened? It seamlessly entered my mental rolodex of “Why’s?,” most of which will never have answers. However, as with the majority of those questions, sometimes it’s not the “Why?” that's as important as the question of, “Well, what comes next?”
In the wake of the BWAC fire, students and teaching artists alike came together on Tuesday to meet at a familiar space. A modest art gallery on Franklin Ave with multiple windows flooding the room with natural light, a large “Thanksgiving table” in one corner, and a bathroom that graciously doesn’t require a small hike to get to. Not to mention that we’ve previously held AYB fundraisers and art shows there as well, so most of us weren't strangers to the commute either.
Meridith brought what I called, “Art Yard in a cart.” Two plastic bins containing the supplies she had on hand, donated from her own studio, as well as from whatever could be spared from others. Scissors, glue sticks, colored pencils, stray bits of paper, and a few watercolor palettes. A stark contrast from our massive sprawling closet that was filled from floor to ceiling with all the materials we could desire. Despite how much tangible change was all around us, there were still essential details of class that remained the same. A large bowl of quinoa salad Meridith prepared with fresh parsley, cucumber, and olive oil for us to feast on, cans of Waterloo sparkling water, and someone running late to class. Since we were slowly approaching Iviva Olenick’s bedtime, the teaching artist for this lesson, we’d just have to fill them in when they got there.
Class at work at 180 Franklin Avenue (use arrows to scroll)
Our deep dive into “Seed Stories, Seed Mandalas pt. 2” brought up conversations regarding how mandalas occur naturally in the world all around us, especially in plant life. Dandelions were one of the key examples of this, where we also discussed how their seeds float off into the air and carry them miles away to help spread new growth; a sentiment that was mirrored in a lot of the work that came directly after. For classwork we all gathered around the long table and wasted no time getting started. Collaging, cutting, colored pencils galore. Fragments of conversation between students included a dicey view of Geminis, anime conventions, and different ways to pronounce “Mary, Marry, and Merry.”
Iviva Olenick, Renewal Mandala and Meridith McNeal, Renewal Mandala
When it came time for compliments and comparison, it was striking to see how so much of the work amassed was linked to our current grief over BWAC. Loss and rebirth were recurring themes that seemed to move as an undercurrent in each of the pieces created. While some pieces intentionally leaned into those feelings, such as Kevin’s work of a dandelion on fire with the seedlings, much similar to our art yard troop, sailing off into the air in search of a new home. While others were a bit more ambiguous in their tones, such as Leni’s abstract and carefully woven piece depicting what looked eerily reminiscent of the BWAC building and its many windows, or Lila’s bunny mandala that was a callback to her ominous visit from a bunny in Brooklyn that seemed to be an omen for the fire at first, but was later discovered to be a sign of rebirth.
Kevin Anderson, Renewal Mandala and Lenika Silva, Renewal Mandala l & ll
While there are still so many feelings and moving parts to sort through in the weeks ahead for our advanced studio sessions, one thing’s for certain: we have been given the chance to spread our feathery dandelion wings and grow. We may not know what our new home looks like, or where it will be, but we will be taking that journey together. An ART YARD BKLYN Migration, if you will. What a way to be in theme for the year, huh? At AYB’s core, whether our supplies come from a cart or a closet, it's the care and community that we’ve built over time that will sow deep seeds and blossom into something beautiful again. We hold our breath and leap towards new beginnings and give a long goodbye to a bitter end."
Jules Lorenzo, Renewal Mandala and Margaret Hardigg, Renewal Mandala
During critique, we gathered around the table where the works were carefully placed. As I (Meridith) looked over the work I asked Ariel: “Are those broken hearts?” She replied in a sad comedic voice: “Yes, mama,”
Ariel describes the intention of her collage: “My piece is a love letter to myself, expressing the weight of past and present heartbreaks through the symbolism of pomegranates and floating broken hearts. These elements represent a cycle of pain, one that often repeats itself, not out of desire, but out of habit. Through this work, I confront the patterns I’ve internalized, offering both reflection and self-compassion.”
AYB Artist Evelyn Beliveau writes: "I was so glad to attend class this week—it was really special to be together in the wake of last week's news. Iviva's session on cycles of renewal, through the lens of seeds and mandalas, felt very timely and cathartic. I chose to make a simplified rendition of the cone of the lodgepole pine, a species that relies on fire to open its resin-sealed cones and spread its seeds. So good to see everyone and reaffirm that we are in this together and moving forward."
Richard Lee Chong, Florian Velayandom Neven du Mont, Adji Ngathe Kebe, Leah Eliopulos, Renewal Mandalas
“The Phoenix Rises: A Magical New Chapter for Our Art Community” writes AYB Artist Kalila Green, “It is with immense gratitude and a renewed spirit that our art group has officially returned to in-person classes. The journey feels nothing short of a rebirth.
After the devastating fire in Red Hook, our community faced a monumental challenge—but we didn’t let it stop us. Instead, we pivoted from the loss with determination, committed to finding a new space where our creativity could take root and thrive once again.
Thanks to the tireless dedication of our fearless leader, Meridith, we didn’t miss a beat. Her swift action to secure AYB Advanced Studio Sessions' new location at 180 Franklin Avenue is a testament to the resilience that defines us. It was a thrill to return, to reconnect, and to feel the vibrant energy of a new beginning.
Our first lesson back was especially meaningful, as if the universe had orchestrated it just for us. Our incredible teaching artist, Iviva Olenick, led us through Seed Stories, Seed Mandalas, Part 2, inviting us to explore the hidden world of seeds—from the trees on our streets to the foods that nourish us. The theme of the lesson echoed our own story of renewal and regrowth, making it all the more profound.
During our discussion of these themes, a moment of synchronicity emerged. I shared a story from the night of the fire: as I walked home from a late evening class, I saw a beautiful brown rabbit on a quiet street in East New York. It was an unusual sight—one I’d expect in a park or forest, not the city. The rabbit paused and looked at me for a long moment before darting away. Intrigued, I later looked up the symbolism of rabbit sightings and found that they are associated with rebirth, renewal, and new beginnings.
When I shared this with the group, someone pointed out that the rabbit appeared around the same time the fire began. It was a powerful, almost mystical moment—one that reminded us how meaning can surface in the most unexpected ways. My personal art piece for the session centered around that brown rabbit, symbolizing the hope and possibility that new beginnings are always just around the corner.
Through our artwork, we explored our personal and ancestral connections to seeds, recognizing how their migrations across time and space are rich with cultural, geographic, and historic meaning. Using seeds—or images and drawings of them—we created mandalas: circular patterns reflecting the cycles of seasons, and our own journey through loss, resilience, and renewal.
Just like a tiny seed holds the potential for life, this new space and this transformative lesson marked a new beginning for our community. Like the phoenix, we have risen from the ashes—ready to grow, create, and thrive together again.”
AYB Managing Director Dennis Buonagura reports in on the exciting ART YARD Art Matters in the School sessions: "We finished up our short term at PS 34 The President Barack Obama School in Jersey City this week. Four action packed days with grades K through 8 (yup, you read that right!).
Teaching Artist Lionel (Leo) Emabat guided students through the completion of their pieces (foods from Hispanic cultures) by revisiting watercolor paint techniques and giving one-on-one directions where needed. We hosted 12 classes in 3 days for about 150 students so neither Leo nor I want to see another empanada for a very long time! These pieces will be the highlight of the October 15th Hispanic Heritage Month event to be held at the school, closing out the celebratory month.
Leo presenting, students at work and displaying their paintings
The ATC (Artistically Talented Class) worked extremely diligently to complete their Talavera pieces - the students go through an application process in order to participate so they don't always start during that first week of school. Hence, we've only met with them during the 2nd and 3rd weeks of our programming. No matter - they loved their lesson and the results are lovely. Using pencil, black sharpie, and colored brush-tipped markers, they captured the intricate designs (note: they created their own designs) of this form of Spanish and Mexican pottery. They will also be on display for the October 15th event.
Student artwork inspired by Spanish and Mexican pottery
Brilliantly colorful Talavera pieces and the artists who made them!
On Thursday, Teaching Artist Lenika Silva finalized the 'migrating mariposa' project with 1st and 2nd graders - using black acrylic paint on white textured stock paper (some with water soluble crayon landscapes), students painted one half of a monarch butterfly (they learned a lot about symmetry!) and folded their papers in half to blot the paint and create beautiful prints. Of course, they too will be on exhibit for the school's event."
Leni summarizes: “This week marked Art Yard’s final session with PS 34 for their Hispanic Heritage Month projects. First and second graders created blotted butterflies to pair with the landscapes they painted in the previous class.
Use arrows to scroll images of students working on butterfly ink paintings
The students reviewed everything they had learned: symmetry, landscape composition, and the significance of the Monarch butterfly’s great migration to places such as Mexico. Through a guided painting activity, they brought their butterflies to life—many choosing to paint directly onto their landscape pieces from last week. Others added vibrant color using water-soluble wax pastels layered on top of their painted butterflies.
Students butterfly artworks
The Monarch butterfly, a symbol of transformation, resilience, and aspiration, served as a meaningful way to begin the new school year and welcome the fall season.”
Dennis adds: "We have been invited back to PS 34 but await BOE approval for a start date - it will probably be a longer run but only one or two days a week (phew!). Thinking cap on right now about lesson plans.”
My love stands next to your love.
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