A huge welcome to all of our new ART YARD BKLYN (AYB) subscribers, fans and participating artists!!
We are thrilled that so many of you found us through AYB Ambassador Liv Collins' TikTok campaign. It has been a joy to meet new artists in Advanced Studio sessions on line and in person in our studio at BWAC in Red Hook, Brooklyn.
We believe that the practice of learning, creating, thinking, and discussing art nourishes people of all ages in body, mind, heart, and spirit. Our ultimate goal is to build and strengthen community through art, fostering a sense of civic responsibility and awareness of social justice, and creating a safe haven where everyone is treated with kindness and respect. We are delighted that you have found your way here!
Each Friday we post a recap of the weeks activities from AYB Advanced Studio to AYB Art Matters school partnerships. We also share reviews of exhibitions we are part of or have enjoyed, books of interest, cultural activities we support, and opportunities for artists. For example, this week you will find a link to a project about banned books at Valley Cottage Library. I encourage you to read through to the bottom of the recap and then to apply to have your artwork included!!
On Monday evening ART YARD Advanced Studio on zoom we were led by teaching artist, Reg Lewis who asked us to Do Something…MEANINGFUL by combining text and structure in presentation form as demonstrated in the conceptual artwork of Jenny Holzer.
With a well-developed PowerPoint presentation Reg shared many profound pieces by Jenny Holzer which spurred us into a lively discussion. Reg then asked participating artists to “create an artwork which features text reflecting our political, philosophical, and/or cultural beliefs and convictions. The text used should appear on a visible structure: building facades, marquees, billboards, transportation, or other structures. Ultimately, the text and the structure it is placed upon will combine to establish a meaningful statement from each artist.”
Reg describes the work created in this session: “Delphine created vivid portraits depicting the disorienting effects of anxiety. The second piece in progress serves as a coping strategy as it implores the viewer to “Stop And Breathe,” even when one is trapped within the grip of runaway “trains of thoughts.”
Delphine Levenson, Do Something…MEANINGFUL l & ll (in progress)
Jane’s two artworks create striking relationship between text and image. The blue tinted backgrounds create a melancholy, almost ominous atmosphere while the contrasting textures are reflected by the narrative glowing in white text.
Hisla created two intimate watercolor paintings that serve literally as brilliant messages reminding us to participate in life affirming activities to counter the occupational burnout that many of us unfortunately know all too well.
Marilyn’s cut out forms combine to create a simple but poignant protest statement aimed at gun control. The five words she employs speak volumes about an issue that still plagues our country.
Simone’s intimate mixed media piece serves as a portrait conveying the mixed feelings of “feeling adrift.” The polka dots juxtaposed to the clear sky complemented by the quote from Rumi combine to suggest the contrasting elements of her emotional landscape (or skyline).
Taylor uses AI as a tool to create a terrifying image which demonstrates a sobering level of destruction - a galvanizing measure powerful enough to establish truce or else a suspension of hostilities. The two lines of text bring shape to that stark sentiment.
Meridith’s watercolor piece provides a beautifully rendered portrait of “The Fearless Artist” by showing the contrasting elements that such artist must embody: the delicately rendered organic structure of branches and leaves behind the rigid structure of the fence. Also present is the duality of windows that serve as mirrors while also concealing the depth of a living space. The fearless artist must breach all such boundaries in the pursuit of truth and beauty.
Madison’s piece serves as a reminder to nourish the body (mind and soul) as we should do well to consider our dietary profile and practices. The placement of the message upon a building above a coffee shop adds gravity to the message as the location itself calls into question our eating habits and choices.
Ed’s two pieces incorporate words of activism posted upon the very bold corporate structures that are at the foundation of social engineering and perception management. Both pieces feel like a protest against the ultimately faceless structure of capitalism.
Ed Rath, Do Something…MEANINGFUL l & ll
Karla’s artwork literally turns a vital motivational phrase into a grid like formation as if to reinforce the very straight forward but impactful message. The background color and the alphabet stamp produced letters contribute to the unadorned urgency
Karla adds: “Holzer’s works have always caught my attention because the text is placed where text would not typically be encountered. The printed word is a powerful thing! People tend to believe what they’ve read before questioning who wrote it or why it is appearing where they are reading it.
Thanks Reg for presenting a challenge to combine words and objects! My piece combined cardboard with ink stamped text. The words “if it isn’t worth asking for, it isn’t worth getting” are those of a co-worker in a gift shop when I was 20 years old. The co-worker was in her 80’s. Her words have stayed with me!”
Sigrid’s piece centers around a quote borrowed from Jean Genet which essentially states, “Nothing in the world is irrelevant.” The quote helps to bring into focus the simple beauty of the intricate pattern in the ironwork of the gated door as we are guided to pay deeper attention to the details.
My own (Reg) artwork seeks to bring into relationship the human head with the key words central to my search for mental peace, balance, and harmony: Stillness, Space, Silence, Shhh. The portrait seeks to demonstrate how “reality crosses the mind,” while providing a visual suggestion for recovery and connection.
Reg Lewis, Do Something…MEANINGFUL l & ll (both in progress)
Overall, the objective for each student to Do Something…MEANINGFUL led to some surprising and stunning results.”
On Tuesday in ART YARD Advanced Studio in person in our studio at BWAC in Red Hook, ART YARD Artist Dakota Jones presented the first of a three-part cycle exploring meditative art practice with closed eyes visuals in a variety of mediums.
Dakota summarizes this session: “For part 1/3 of my lesson our objective was to explore our internal visual language through closed eye visual study and meditation. After a brief talk about the work and lives of the artists Hilma af Klint and Alex Grey, we listened to a guided meditation by Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche (click for link).
Participating artists had the option to either draw in a meditative state with their eyes closed or to meditate and draw afterwards with a wide selection of mediums to choose from. Some who had less experience meditating were encouraged to represent feeling rather than what they were necessarily seeing, while others chose to more closely follow their closed eye visuals.”
Use arrows to scroll through photos of Advanced Studio Artists at work
At the end of every AYB session we take the time to share our artwork, make comparisons and contrasts and to compliment some aspect of the session and/or art created. The AYB critique process was enthusiastically embraced by our new artists. Long time participants took great pride when complimented on the warm and welcoming community we have created.
I would like to compliment Dakota, who began working with us as an elementary school age student. Now a college graduate, Dakota brings his personal interest in meditation and philosophy developed while studying at Wesleyan University to his insider understanding of how to best present a lesson. His research was well done, the artists he presented deepened our understanding of his lesson concept, and his well prepared personal statements were inspiring.
Wednesday found Dennis, Evelyn and Gia at ART YARD Art Matters at PS 17 in Jersey City.
Evelyn summarizes: “Artwork inspired by Andy Warhol is going strong at PS 17. I was excited to return and see the progress students had made last week with Gia as their substitute teacher, and to continue moving each class’s project forward.
7th and 6th graders’ Warhol-style images of everyday objects are blooming with color. The first stage of this project was contour drawing from observation, using pencil on watercolor paper. Some students who were previously absent or hadn’t started all four drawings yet were working in this mode today: they chose an object from their bag or from around the classroom and made carefully observed drawings with just lines, no shading. Other students, who had finished their drawings, picked up watercolor paints and brushes. They followed Gia’s and my instructions to emulate Warhol’s flat, mechanical shading: using small, careful brushstrokes with just enough water but not too much, and always washing the brush between colors to ensure each shape shines with the full force of the intended color.
In our Grade 1 class, flowers abound! Inspired by Warhol’s Flowers series, with its repetition of shapes in many different colors, these students are making colorful collages of stenciled flowers. Last week, students made great progress or even finished their first collages, composing the flowers they’d previously stenciled and cut out onto squares of colored paper. Our goal is for each student to complete four collages in different color schemes, so this week students were busy stenciling, cutting, and gluing.
Grade 4 students are working with stencils, pencils, and watercolors to make brilliantly colored paintings inspired by Warhol’s Space Fruit series. Students shared and traded stencils of various fruits—pears, strawberries, apples, and more—and I helped students create new stencils of their favorite fruits, including mangoes, limes, and dragon fruit! Students listened to instructions and ran with them, creatively choosing “unrealistic” colors and carefully painting each shape made by the stencils, sometimes overlapping, on their squares of paper. I’m blown away by their efforts so far and can’t wait to see how each student’s series will look when assembled and mounted for the exhibition.”
Dennis describes: “Our afterschool program at PS 17 is making great progress - and I'm happy to report that all students are excellent and happy participants.
Teaching Artist Gia Gutierez expanded on last week's collage lesson by creating some templates for students to use as guides (and some students drew shapes without templates) resulting in flower and other shaped collages. Color schemes were discussed - and Gia stressed the importance of explaining the inspiration and reasoning of one's work - to get them thinking while creating art.
Some students finished up their pieces from previous weeks: two groups worked collaboratively on their mural design projects with pop art colors; some finished their collages from last week. I am happy that our afterschool program has a relaxed atmosphere and students work quietly and independently (well, some do work collaboratively) and help with clean up and putting supplies away. Also, since it's the last class of the day, they put their chairs up on the tables for the floors to be cleaned. Thanks also to the afterschool coordinator, Hannah Rotunno, who participates and assists every step of the way.
Justin's collage was a sort of tribute to the Northern Lights - and he truly mastered it by finding just the right bits from magazine pages. Check it out!
Gia and I met earlier to discuss mural supply orders, scheduling painting dates, and supply storage. We met with Livio, a PS 17 staff member, who will provide Gia with ladders, a dolly (of sorts) to move paint cans around, and a storage area for such supplies. He'll also be on hand for supply deliveries (should it be a day that neither Gia nor I will be at the school) and will assist with cordoning off the area while painting is in process. The afterschool kids will participate in painting the mural but it would be an interference to have other classes getting too close by.
We plan (time and Mother Nature permitting) to have some sort of unveiling (maybe in connection with an exhibition?) and possibly an artist's talk about the creation of the mural. Time is limited though so we'll do our best. While Gia will attempt to take photos during the process, her time will be limited. On the days that I will not be at PS 17, I'm going to ask some teachers or admins or students (who might have phones with cameras) to document the process for us.
In conclusion (and in addition to Evelyn's 4 classes held earlier in the day), A LOT GOING ON AT PS 17.
Oh - while we are not participating in the school's musical this year (as we did last year with The Lion King), I've been asked to create a Playbill for their musical review called "Peter And The Princess". I used the same template for the Playbill for The Lion King so it's moving along easily. I popped into the auditorium yesterday to watch a rehearsal to get a feel of what the musical is about.”
Managing Director Dennis Buonagura enthusiastically recaps: "Time flies in Jersey City. We commenced our final 3 week cycle at ART YARD Art Matters at PS 6 before preparing for a June exhibition - and preparing means sorting through hundreds of pieces of work, matting or mounting them, curating then installing in the gallery, training docents, and much more.
As part of our teacher training program, our fantastic interns/volunteers from FDU, Evelyn O. and Gaby, have had months of excellent classroom exposure and were assigned to create a lesson plan - and also TEACH it. I am grateful to Teaching Artist Evelyn Beliveau who offered great support and guidance to Evelyn O. and Gaby and I'm certain their art professor at FDU (Prof. Marie Roberts) did the same. Giving credit where it's due here. It takes a village.
The process of creating a lesson for elementary school students is just that - a process. We started with the idea of 'the endless landscape' which morphed in to a cityscape which became vines of ivy and finally into a garden. It's perfect for our theme of DO SOMETHING as gardens are often created for many reasons: in memoriam, helping those who are experiencing food insecurities, learning about plant life, biology, earth science, and overall community efforts.
Working with 2nd and 4th grade students, Evelyn O. and Gaby discussed methods of layering (in painting and in collage). The inspiration for this project actually came from how puzzle pieces connect - and they knew that 2nd and 4th graders love connecting puzzle pieces.
For further inspiration, students viewed the works of painter Jan Blencowe and sculptor Michael Murphy.
In this first week of the cycle, students learned step by step processes in drawing roses, tulips, and sunflowers. Once drawn, the layering began - using brush tipped markers and/or watercolor paints, students started with a base application and later in the lesson applied additional 'coats' to create darker colors (if they chose to). The flowers were cut and placed in secure envelopes (we learned in previous classes that UNsecure envelopes or folders do not do the trick when students accidentally or on purpose turn their envelopes upside down or inside out).
Evelyn O. and Gaby have such a natural rapport with the students and I am sure they got a good taste of the rewarding reality of art education - planning, preparing, setting up the art room, cleaning up the art room, demonstrating, teaching, answering questions - it was so busy that I had to remind them to drink their water!!!
End result - they did an EXCELLENT job with all aspects of the lesson.
Congratulations to both Evelyn O. and Gaby. I am very proud of them.
And - special mention - CONGRATULATIONS to Gaby on her graduation from Fairleigh Dickinson University (on Wednesday, May 15th) with a BA in psychology - and a minor in studio art. Evelyn O graduates next year.
Just like in our other Jersey City partnership school - there's A LOT GOING ON!"
Other Art News
Congratulations to ART YARD Artist Rachael Wren on her solo exhibition The Long Way Home now up at Rick Wester Fine Arts (526 West 26th Street, suite 417, in Chelsea) through June 29, 2024. These new paintings are particularly filled with energy and movement. As usual, Rachael’s use of color is exceptional. The piece at the entry seems to vibrate with hot pink (Rachael who was in the gallery when I visited, mentioned it matched my hair well!) and yet is is all a trick of the eye and of course, Rachael’s prowess with color.
Around the corner at Morgan Presents (537 W 27th St, New York, NY) Terry Rosenberg: Portraits of Character, a three-decade survey of brightly colorful movement portrait paintings is on view through June 29, 2024.
Earlier in the week, Ajani and I were reminiscing about when we had Terry’s drawings on view and in class we created drawings inspired by his working methods.
Vintage photos from that session:
Vintage class photos: students drawing dancers, & little Dakota during critique!!
My BPL library hold of The Other Side: A Story of Women in Art and the Spirit World (Pegasus Books, January 2024) by Jennifer Higgie became available right after Dakota’s lesson. Talk about synchronicity! Stylistically a blend of memoir, biography, and art history, The Other Side could serve as the text book if Dakota’s three-week Advanced Studio cycle was a college course!
Healers, mystics, weavers, painters, tarot card illustrators, transcendentalists, healers, surrealists, occultists, and yes, meditators, are included in this fascinating text. Reading the eBook made it easy for me to jump into a google image search when encountering an unfamiliar artist. I loved learning about, for example,the work of Agnes Pelton who graduated from Pratt in 1906! (Images below)
Book cover, Agnes Pelton, Light Center, 1947–48, and Agnes Pelton Alchemy, 1937 – 1939
And the opportunity I mentioned above: You are encouraged to apply to participate in the second annual Valley Cottage Library’s Banned Book Trading Card Project. Selected artists will have work included in the deck of trading cards and included in an exhibition at the library in September 2024!
REMINDER: Advanced Studio Sign Up is available on our homepage on Sunday 5-6pm!
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