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School Space for Priced-Out Bronx Artists?

16 Nov

Adam Forman, a researcher at Center for an Urban Future, has an opinion piece in the Daily News today regarding the diminishing availability of art studios citywide thanks to the growing hike in real state prices all around the city.

He suggests that city schools be made available in the evenings and on weekends. “There are 1,285 visual arts rooms, 1,111 music rooms, 932 auditoriums, 408 dance studios and 200 film production and editing facilities in the Department of Education’s 1,200 buildings,” Forman states.

As he explains, making this public space available could be complicated — liability and security issues, insurance and until expenses, etc. — but he states, “…these challenges are hardly insurmountable.”

Check out the story and let Bronx Matters readers know what you think.

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NYU’s Phenomenal Photo Show of Seis del Sur, 6 Bronx-Focused Puerto Rican Photographers

13 Nov
Home Blessing, Morrisania, Bronx 2012 Photo by David Gonzalez

Home Blessing, Morrisania, Bronx 2012
Photo by David Gonzalez

The Bronx-born Seis del Sur “Barrios” photo exhibit is on a virtual tour, and it grows even more beautiful as it moves down south in the city.

It began in the Bronx at the Bronx Documentary Center, formed by six Puerto Rican photographers either born in the Bronx or firmly focused on it.

But now it’s at King Juan Carlos 1 of Spain Center, a part of NYU at 53 Washington Square South in Manhattan. It’s Seis del Sur’s biggest show and its most stunning and moving with both current photos from New York, Puerto Rico, Cuba and Haiti, and those that highlight both Bronxites’ beauty and their severe struggles in the 1970s and 80s.

For Bronx residents, activists, students and more (and yes, Manhattanites and others who walk around down there every day) it’s a must-see exhibit linking the lives and focus of the six photographers — Joe Conzo, Ricky Flores, Edwin Pagan, David Gonzalez, Angel Franco and Francisco Molina Reyes II —who are now virtual Bronx bros.

“It is fitting that Seis del Sur brings the Bronx downtown, and finds its home here at NYU, in a university space that is a stone’s throw from another important and intense Latino community on the Lower East Side,” writes Ana Dopico, the Center’s director, in the brochure. “Their work inspires us and educates us. And reminds us that we are at the heart of a Latino city, whose communities continue to shape the future and the mission of artists, photographers, scholars, and universities.”

Seis del Sur Opening

A crowded Bronx photographer and fan crew at NYU in October. Photo by Jordan Moss

The highlight of the opening was the gathering of Bronx photographers, artists and activists way downtown. But it’s a show for everyone who loves good photography and its portrayal of the world around and beyond us all. The exhibit is open through January. Bronxites, it’s worth the trip.

Mr. Palladium, 52 Park, Bronx, 2013 Photo by David Gonzalez

Mr. Palladium, 52 Park, Bronx, 2013
Photo by David Gonzalez

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Today’s Beauty in Hunts Point, Bronx

6 Nov

Even as the gray sky competed with a strong yet staggering sun, beauty on the ground in the Hunts Point section of the Bronx was still in clear site this morning…

Just one gorgeous bit of Barretto Point Park today. Photo by Jordan Moss

Just one gorgeous bit of Barretto Point Park today. Photo by Jordan Moss

The artistic wall separating, yet joining the nonprofit Rocking the Boat, and the park its closely related to, Hunts Point Riverside. Photo by Jordan Moss

The artistic wall separating, yet joining, the nonprofit Rocking the Boat, and the park it’s closely related to, Hunts Point Riverside. Photo by Jordan Moss

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WHEDco’s Big South Bronx Project — ‘Bronx Commons’ — Scheduled to Break Ground in Next Year

13 Oct

WHEDco (Women’s Housing and Econcomic Development Corporation) is scheduled to break ground on on a large mixed use development in the next year, according to Curbed.

“Today, WHEDco is working on its most ambitious project yet: Bronx Commons, a 361,600-square-foot mixed-use development with affordable housing, a rooftop farm, retail space, and cultural programming from the Bronx Music Heritage Center. Although the organization has come a long way since its formation, the mission is more or less the same: livable, affordable housing that builds up the neighborhood too.”

Here’s the whole Curbed story.

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Phenomenal Bronx Documentary Photo Exhibit in a Muffler Shop. No Kidding.

7 Oct
Just one impressive photo in the unusual, creative exhibit scene at Vasquez Muffler on Jerome Ave. This photo in exhibit is by Osaretin Ugiagbe. This blog photo by Jordan Moss.

Just one impressive photo in the unusual, creative exhibit scene at Vasquez Muffler on Jerome Ave. This photo in exhibit is by Osaretin Ugiagbe. This blog photo by Jordan Moss.

The Jerome Avenue Workers Project, a remarkable exhibit put on by the Bronx Photo League and the Bronx Documentary Center, had a remarkable, packed opening on Oct. 3 at — get this — Vasquez Muffler at 1275 Jerome Ave.  Sixteen photographers took photos of community residents and workers in the south Bronx neighborhoods that Jerome Avenue links, like Mount Hope and Mount Eden. Though the exhibit is independent, its focus is linked to efforts by community organizations like CAAAV and Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition which are working with residents to challenge and change city plans that would rezone the area. That would allow landowners to sell their property to housing developers. The city plan, they say, will not be affordable and will essentially lead to illegal removal of local tenants, a crisis growing around the city.

The exhibit is on until Oct. 18. The hours are Monday – Saturday 4 to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Here’s a bit of what to expect: 

Vasquez Muffler was packed for the Workers Project photo exhibit opening on Oct. 3. Photo by Jordan Moss

Vasquez Muffler was packed for the Workers Project photo exhibit that opened on Oct. 3. Photo by Jordan Moss

Bronx photographer Adi Talwar took two photos for the exhibit including this at a hair dresser in the area. Photo by Jordan Moss

Bronx photographer Adi Talwar took two photos for the exhibit including this at a hair salon in the area. Photo by Jordan Moss

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Artist & Craftsman Opens on White Plains Road! Bronx Art MATTERS!

17 Jun
Artist & Craftsman Supply has opened in the Bronx on White Plains Road. Photo of Cassie Brehmer (regional manager) and Shak (store assistant manager) in front of the new store.

Artist & Craftsman Supply just opened in the Bronx on White Plains Road. Photo of Cassie Brehmer (regional manager) and Shak (store assistant manager) in front of the new store.

I can’t think of better news than the following for Bronx artists and Bronx lovers in general. There are many types of businesses our borough of 1.4 million people lack. But even though my parents are artists, and I’ve been spending time lately with fellow Bronxite artists, it never occurred to me to hope for an art store in the borough. Maybe it’s because  — unlike deceased movie theaters and bookstores that continue to make me moan as I pass their former locations — I’ve only been in the Bronx since 1992 and never remember seeing an art store here, so I never expected those to show up again (they did exist, right?).

I rarely, if ever, reprint an entire letter to the public, but it’s worth it, as the following is detailed, helpful, and … exciting. And, how cool is it that Artist & Craftsman is an employee-owned company that makes sure artists are part of the team? OK, enough from me. Here’s the letter …

Dear Artists,

Hello! I’m Cassie, a Regional Manager for Artist & Craftsman Supply. I asked Danny Hauben to forward this message to all of you- thank you Danny!

I am excited to announce the opening of Artist & Craftsman Supply in the Bronx!  Yes- A real art store in the Bronx! We are big, and we carry a lot of supplies. Located at 3961 White Plains Road (off the 225th St. stop on the 2/5 trains), our upstairs is full of crafting supplies, yarn, kids art supplies, toys, games and books. Our (giant) basement holds Spray Paint, Hardware, Paper, Frames, Stone and Stone Carving Tools, Printmaking supplies, Etching supplies, Oils, Acrylics, Watercolors, all their mediums, Colored Pencils, Pastels, Drawing Supplies, Portfolios, Foam and Chip Board, Brushes, Markers, Pens, and much much more. We’re not kidding around.

We are really excited to be a part of the community, and we look forward to participating in any community events we can. We offer discounts to educators and students- 10% off our everyday pricing with a valid Student/Faculty I.D. card- and bulk discounts to everyone. And we’re hoping to open a classroom space in our basement some time soon. We have a lot to look forward to!

A little bit about us- Artist & Craftsman Supply is an employee owned company that originated in Portland, Maine in 1985. We were started by artists, and we continue the tradition by staffing artists. We currently have 5 stores in New York City- the Bronx,Williamsburg, Park Slope, Harlem, and Long Island City-  with a sixth location opening in Bushwick in a couple of months. We have come to the Bronx, because the Bronx needs an art store. We know many artists are here and  you deserve to have a store you can trust to provide access to the tools you need to do your craft, without having to travel to Manhattan.

I Invite you to check out our website, www.artistcraftsman.com – there’s much more in our brick and mortar stores than on that site, but it will hopefully give you a feel for who we are. And please stop by – we would love to meet you and show you what we have. If we don’t carry something- chances are very good that we can get it quickly.

If you have any questions/comments/concerns- you’re welcome to e-mail Leo and Shak (store managers) at the store- BWP@artistcraftsman.com- or give them a call- 718.231.0501

Additionally, if you’d like to be added to our e-mail list to be notified of sales and other happenings- please send us an e-mail to the address above with the subject ‘add to e-mail list’.

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to meeting you!

Cassie Brehmer, Regional Manager

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Great Links to Bronx Artists and Growing Art Scene

3 Jun

There are so many Bronx artists and an emerging art scene. BX 200 has done a great job on its website promoting and linking to both. Check out this list of artists and this list of art scenes (organizations, galleries, etc.).

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Guy Davis in the Bronx Tonight!

27 Feb

If you’ve got some free time tonight, don’t miss blues musician — guitar, banjo, harmonica — Guy Davis at Hostos Community College (E. 149th St. and Grand Concourse – 4 train virtually leads right to the door) tonight at 7:30. It’s only $10, so if you’re into him or blues in general, try and make it there. (I’m not a promoter, just a Davis fan and blues love. Check out this wonderful video where Davis explains how he took up his work.)

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