1.8.25 — Exhibits, Concerts, Theatre, Music and Much More ...
... In the Bronx and a Bit Beyond
Hey Everyone,
Art and creative expressions of all kinds are more essential than ever, as our country and planet go through epic political and humanitarian crises. So, connecting with each other, taking in the creativity that’s all around us, and all that it expresses, is so freakin’ important. Here ere are some of the ways we can learn, express, connect and explore, and even discover creative paths together towards peace and justice in the Bronx and beyond.
Let’s begin right here …
On Sat., Jan. 11, from 2 to 5 PM, the Riverfront Art Gallery (part of Yonkers Public Library) in downtown Yonkers presents an opening reception for “Empowered,” a group exhibit (see photo of one of the piece’s above). “Art guides us to imagine new realities. It gives voice to the disappeared, the marginalized, and the unseen. EMPOWERED features artwork that guides us to imagine new realities and that allows us to be transported to worlds unknown and known. This exhibition calls out the many instances of injustice and leads the way to a more just and empowering future— one where we find community and see each other reflected in our world. Curated by Haifa Bint-Kadi.” The show continues through March 28. FREE! All the info here.
Beginning on Fri., Jan. 10, the Bronx River Art Center (BRAC) presents “Between Inspiration and Collecting: The Artist’s Cabinet.” Here’s a description of it: “In the grand narratives of art collecting, we often encounter stories of wealthy patrons and prestigious institutions. Yet there exists another, more intimate history of collecting—one that unfolds in artists’ studios, homes, and personal spaces. This exhibition turns our attention to artists not only as creators but as collectors, revealing how their gathering of objects shapes their creative vision and practice.” More about the exhibit here. FREE!
On Fri., Jan. 10 from 10 AM to 3:30 PM both Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture and PRTT/Pregones Theater present: Bronx Artists Showcase & Conversation called “Pepatián: Bronx Arts ColLABoration.” Different kinds of art (music, dance, etc.) presented. More info and RSVP here.
David Gonzalez, the veteran, and retired, New York Times reporter, writer, columnist — and phenomenal photographer, too — has a solo exhibit coming up at Fordham University’s Manhattan campus: “Urban Devotions: Images of Faith in the City.” It runs from Tues., Jan. 21 through Feb. 17 at Fordham’s Lipani Gallery, (113 W. 60th St.). The opening is on Jan. 21 from 6 to 7:30 PM. All the info here. And a photo from the exhibit below.
Through April 8, En Foco and Kreate Hub present the curated group photo exhibit “Entre el Silencio: Meditations on Silence” at WallWorks. “The exhibition is part of En Foco’s mission to uplift, validate, and preserve the culture and legacy of diasporic lens-based artists.” Click here for more information.
Speaking of WallWorks, it celebrates its 10 years in existence with a gallery retrospective at their new location (!) at Inspiration Point Gallery in Hunts Point. It’s on from this Sat., Jan. 11 — with an opening the same day from 6 to 8 PM, — through Feb. 15. More info here. FREE!
BronxArtSpace presents “Drawn to Life,” an exhibit featuring artists Debbie Ali, Sakura Abdel-Rahman, Edwin "Enoch" Sanchez, and Ivan Velez Jr. It is curated by Ruddy Mejia. The opening is Friday, Jan. 9 from 5:30 to 8 PM, and the exhibit continues through Feb. 8. “‘Drawn to Life’ brings together the works of four contemporary illustrators whose work is inspired by themes of tradition, fantasy, and physical relationships to one's body.” More info here.
Beginning on Wed., Jan. 22, with an opening from 6 to 8 PM, the Bronx Council on the Arts presents the next Longwood Art Gallery group exhibit at its east Bronx headquarters in Westchester Square. “‘Support Systems’ challenges dominant cultural narratives, that celebrate American exceptionalism and capitalist individualism, featuring works from eight artists and one collective. The exhibition reflects on historical failures of the U.S. government, examines contemporary crises, and explores new possibilities for the future.” All the info here and one of the exhibit photos below.
In partnership with Pregones, En Foco presents the exhibition “In The Spirit Y En El Espíritu: Works by Mariana Yampolsky” at the Pregones/Puerto Rican Traveling Theater (575 Walton Ave., Bronx). It runs through March 31 and features portraits by Mexican photographer Yampolski (1925–2002), and is curated by Xavier Robles Armas. FREE!
At Lehman College Art Gallery, through Jan. 18, is “Incandescence: The Chandelier in Contemporary Art Works” by 45 artists exploring “the motif and meaning of the chandelier through sculptural forms, photography, painting, drawing, installation and video.” All the details here and here. FREE!
The Derfner Judaica Museum, at the Hebrew Home in Riverdale, features “Artfully Arranged: Floral Works from the Collection” through Feb. 2, 2025. FREE!
“FUTURA 2000: BREAKING OUT,” at the Bronx Museum is “a retrospective of this singular artist’s evolution from early graffiti art styles to his current practice of contemporary abstraction. The exhibition is the most comprehensive examination of FUTURA 2000’s five-decade career ever presented in his hometown of New York City.” It runs through March 20, 2025. FREE!
Through Jan. 26 in Norwood, the Museum of Bronx History presents the group exhibition of Seis del Sur: “HISTORIAS: The Stories Behind the Images.” The museum is open on Saturdays, 10 AM to 4 PM. Private tours via appointment are available throughout the week. All FREE!
The Casita Maria Gallery, of the Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education in Hunts Point, presents the exhibit “Animal Studies,” by Maria P. Vila, through March 6. The work of Vila, a teaching artist at Casita Maria, “features a series of watercolor, soft pastel and oil paintings combining animal imagery with poetry and collage as a form of healing.” FREE!
Music
Lehman Center for the Performing Arts presents “The Greatest Love of All: A Tribute to Whitney Houston Starring Belinda Davids” on Sun., Jan. 19 at 6 PM.
And Drumline Live also is performing at Lehman Center for the Performing Arts in Bedford Park on Sat., Jan. 18 at 6 PM. More info here, and video of group performing here.
An Beal Bocht Café in Riverdale features all kinds of performances throughout the week, including open mics on Tuesdays at 8:30 P.M. All the upcoming info right here.
Theatre
Riverdale Children’s Theater (RCT) has two musicals coming up in January 2025, both at the University of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale: “The Lion King” from Jan. 9 through Jan. 12, and “Sweeney Todd” from Jan. 18 to Jan. 20 (photo below). Trust me: RCT puts on incredible performances. I’ve seen many because our daughter was a part of it for many years and we still go! All the info here.
BxArtsFactory in Melrose provides a useful series of video lessons on their website for families doing art at home.
There are various kids’ art workshops at Bronx Children’s Museum, which opened a year ago. Info here (scroll down page for listing). And here’s a link to all the “active” exhibit space and happenings.
Blue Door Art Center in downtown Yonkers offers FREE classes/programs for kids on Saturday mornings.
Photography
Artist Opportunities and Awards
En Foco invites Bronx-based photographers and writers to submit their work for inclusion in the Spring/Summer 2025 issue of ‘Nueva Luz: The Bronx Issue.’ This special edition will spotlight the vibrant and diverse photographic community that thrives in the Bronx. To be considered, submissions must include works suitable for print reproduction. The deadline for submissions is Fri., Jan. 10, 2025, at 11:59 pm. (The deadline was initially Jan. 3 and that still appears on their website, but it has been changed to Jan. 10.)
Blue Door Art Center in Yonkers has a Call for Artists for their Black History Month exhibit “Ancestors.” The deadline is Sunday, Jan. 19.
The deadline to apply for Bronx Council on the Arts’ BRIO Award is Jan. 13, 2025. Each year, BRIO (Bronx Recognizes Its Own) provides direct support to individual Bronx artists who create works in the literary, media, visual, and performing arts with awards of $5,000. BCA provides a few on-line sessions for likely applicants re: info and advice on completing the application. You can check out BCA’s website for more info, and the application itself.
BCA also has a listing of additional organizations that provide various “calls for artists.”
RE: GROWTH OF ART ALL AROUND US!
I really hope to deepen the coverage and significantly expand the readership of Art All Around Us in 2025. If you find this newsletter helpful, please, please, pease spread the word among friends and colleagues. I’d be truly grateful. The Bronx is a great place, but one thing not-so-great is that there isn’t sufficient awareness of all its art performances, exhibits, programs, and opportunities for artists. Each of you can help fix that, even if it’s just letting one or two friends, neighbors and colleagues know that AAAU exists. Thank you! —Jordan
A Bit Beyond the Bronx
At the Hudson River Museum in Yonkers there are several exhibits to explore, including “No Bodies: Clothing as Disruptor,” which is on through Jan. 26. Info here on all of the museum’s current exhibits.
Suggested Reading …
I’m really interested in learning more about how children doing art of all kinds has such a positive effect on children, yet how limited it is in public schools nationally. The excellent art news site, Hyperallergic, just put out an excellent article on that very issue in Texas, and how it can be addressed nationally.
OK, have a great week, everyone, and let me know if you go to something mentioned above that you really enjoyed, or anything else creative that you’ve encountered. Thanks!
Peace and Progress to All of You in 2025!
—Jordan