We will place you
like a cake
in our lives,
we will light you
like a candelabra,
we will drink you
as if
you were a topaz.
New
Year’s
Day,
electric day, fresh,
all the leaves
emerge green
from
the trunk of time.
~ Pablo Neruda, Ode To The First Day of The Year (1954) excerpt
Our winter break was a very busy one for ART YARD BKLYN. Under Gem Mercado’s capable management we organized, made spread sheets, charts and lists, balanced and then carefully considered thousands of applications to the Scholastic Art Awards.
Gem summarizes: “Our adjudication day for the Scholastic Art Awards was an enrichingly entertaining process for all involved. I couldn’t be happier that all of our preparation led to a successful time together. Our group leaders in addition to myself (Gem) and Meridith, included Jenn Dodson, Adji Kebe, and Jacob Rath who were rockstars— prepared and willing to take on what we asked of them. Our jurors Marilyn August, Simone Awor, Assata Benoit, Lila Green, Chaela Griffin, Richie Lee Chong, Pat Larash, Ajani Russell, Liana St. Bernard, Fatima Traore, Ajula Van Ness-Otunnu brought an enthusiasm that greatly influenced the energy of the day. I’m very proud of all of our hard work. Thank you to all who participated, and Happy New Year!”
Lila writes of the experience: “I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the incredible opportunity to serve as a judge for the Scholastic Art Awards. It was an honor to be a part of this panel and to witness the extraordinary talent of young artists.
The judging process was a rewarding experience. Moving through each panel, we were met with a diverse range of creative expressions. Each piece showcased unique perspectives, technical skills, and a genuine passion for art.
The brief discussions within our panel were insightful. As we considered each piece of artwork, I enjoyed engaging in dialogue about its overall impact. Debating the different approaches, challenged my own perspectives, and ultimately helped us to arrive at decisions that celebrated the highest achievements in student art.
The dedication and care that you and the other AYB leaders put into this event was inspiring. The thoughtful organization, the supportive environment, and the commitment to completing the process with integrity was evident in every aspect preparation.
Thank you again for this invaluable experience. It was a privilege to contribute to the recognition of these talented young artists and to be a part of the vibrant art community at ART YARD BKLYN.”
We are thrilled that Well Read, our exhibition responding to the practice of banning books in the United States, is on view at Black Rock Books in Bridgeport, CT through March 28, 2025.
The following AYB artists reflect on the importance of intellectual freedom and the significant role that literature plays in shaping society with artworks.
● Rose M. Albin – The Giving Tree (Shel Silverstein)
● Vera B. – I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (Maya Angelou)
● Liv Collins – Are You There God, It’s Me, Margaret (Judy Blume)
● Travis Deen – Julián Is a Mermaid (Jessica Love)
● Abriel (bob) Gardner – A Wrinkle in Time (Madeleine L’Engle)
● Neah Gray – To Kill a Mockingbird (Harper Lee)
● Lila Green – I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (Maya Angelou)
● Jane Huntington – Lolita (Vladimir Nabokov)
● Free Inside – Where The Wild Things Are (Maurice Sendak)
● Adji Ngathe Kebe – Paradise (Toni Morrison)
● Meridith McNeal – Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (Bill Martin Jr.)
● Karla Stangel Prickett – Consumers Guide
● Ed Rath – Fahrenheit 451 (Ray Bradbury)
● Jacob Rath – Beloved (Toni Morrison) & 1984 (George Orwell)
This exhibition was born from a conversation between AYB Co-founder and Director Meridith McNeal and Meg Flynn, co-owner of Black Rock Books. Their shared passion for reading and commitment to supporting creative community led to the idea of a book-centric show focused on banned books.
Well Read installation views
We are excited to share this exhibition with the Black Rock Books community and reflect on the books that have been silenced. Titles like The Giving Tree, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, A Wrinkle in Time, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Beloved—among many others—are part of an ever-growing list of works that have been challenged, often for reasons that touch on race, gender, sexuality, and social justice.
We hope this exhibition sparks reflection, dialogue, and a deeper appreciation for the freedom to read. Pictured below (in this order) work by Lila Green, Free Inside, Travis Deen, Jane Huntington, Adji Ngathe Kebe, Meridith McNeal, Rose M. Albin, Vera B. and Jacob Rath:
Exhibition Details:
Dates: January 1 – March 28, 2025
Location: Black Rock Books, 3030 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06605
Hours: Tuesday – Thursday, 11 AM - 5 PM | Friday – Saturday, 11 AM – 6 PM | Sunday, 12 PM – 5 PM
Admission: Free and open to the public
Artists’ Reception:Join us for the Artists’ Reception on Saturday, January 25, 2025, from 4 PM – 6 PM. The reception is free and open to the public and provides an opportunity to meet the artists and learn more about their work and inspiration. Refreshments will be donated by local hot spots including Claire’s Corner Copia (New Haven’s premier vegetarian eatery since 1974!) will be served.
Black Rock Books, owned by Meg Flynn and Emily Welch, is an integral part of Bridgeport’s literary community. The store is known for its carefully curated collection of books and its dedication to fostering an open and welcoming space for readers of all kinds. This exhibition marks a significant collaboration with ART YARD BKLYN, furthering Black Rock Books' commitment to intellectual freedom and creative expression.
Meg shares her thoughts: “I’ve been working alongside the art today while in the shop, restocking and gearing us up for a new year of business, and I can’t help but reflect on what 2025 might bring. Politically, we are taking several huge steps back this year, and I think now more than ever, I feel certain that book selling and art making are inherently political acts and that we can use this overlapping platform to call attention to the dangers of book banning and lift up the voices that some would like to silence. I really appreciate everyone lending their talents and their reflections to this show, I hope it sparks many conversations. Look forward to the opening and to meeting those who are able to come out!”
Other Art News
AYB Teaching Artists Marie Roberts and Candy Heiland have work included in Give The Gift Of Art at Honey Badger Motel Gallery, 145 Sterling Place in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Marie and others will be giving an artist’s talk tomorrow Saturday, Jan, 4th, 7:30-8:30pm.
Congratulations to AYB Teaching Artist Iviva Olenick who has work included in two current exhibitions. Fiber of Our Being at Long Branch Arts and Cultural Center, Long Branch, NJ. January 7-31st. Artists include Lisa Bagwell, Mark Davis, Dallas Dellinger, Kate Eggleston, Julia Muench, Iviva Olenick, Elizabeth Tolson, Rachel Udell. Smallish, curated by Yeon Jin Kim, at Gallery Ondo, Seoul, Korea.
AYB Teaching Artist Jodie Lyn-Kee-Chow invites us to her solo exhibition Valor & Revolt, spanning several rooms at The King Manor Museum,150-03 Jamaica Avenue, Jamaica, Queens. Based in part on a 17th-century engraving by G. Child, “Valor & Revolt” explores themes of survival during chattel slavery and are partially inspired by the slave revolts that took place in Jamaica, West Indies in 1831. Jodie’s show will be on view through March 3rd, 2025Public programs including meet-the-artist sessions will take place during the run of the exhibition. We will post details as they are available.
What We Are Reading
Bitter Crop: The Heartache and Triumph of Billie Holidays Last Year by Paul Alexander (Penguin Random House, 2024) takes a fresh look at the tumultuous life of this exceptional artist.
The text is not presented in time order, but rather in a way which connects people and events, or which highlights a particular narrative in Holiday’s experiences. It’s quite eye opening to read of the astonishing array of road blocks governmental persecution, legal battles, draconian policies like the NYC Cabaret Licensing set to undermine musicians, racism, sexism, financial struggle and fraying health which in the end does not detract one iota from our appreciation of Billie Holiday’s awe-inspiring talent. I recommend this well told biography wholeheartedly.
Book covers
The Year of Less: How I Stopped Shopping, Gave Away My Belongings, and Discovered Life is Worth More Than Anything You Can Buy in a Store by Cait Flanders (Hay House, 2019) has inspired me to try an experiment! Around the solstice, Diana and I were talking about finances and spending and how we can improve upon our habits. Finding The Year of Less in a library search seemed fortuitous.
In a sort of financial Marie Kondo move, Flanders challenged herself to not shop for a year. Her exceptions included consumables including food and cleaning products, but even there her purchases were thoughtful. I’ve decided to give it a whirl and set my end date on April 30th, for now. I too will still buy food and cleaning products, & I will add art supplies to my thoughtful list as I need to replenish particular things. Care to join me?
A view from my (Meridith) studio at New Year, new painting Magical Things Fez, 2025, watercolor on paper, 12x12” towards the center.
♥️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜
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