An Exhibit to Remember Artist George Gutierrez ...
... And More to Put on Your Calendar
Just a few pieces of the artwork by George M.Gutierrez, who passed away in March. More info below. (Photos by Jordan Moss)
Hey Everyone,
I’m headed out of town today to pick up my daughter from college, so I’m sending you this week’s newsletter today, which I usually issue on Wednesday eve. It’s a little shorter, but it has a good bit of the still-relevant events and info from last week’s edition. But I’ll start with this …
I met George M. Gutierrez (photos from his art studio above), a photographer/artist whom in the 1990s when he was the lead photographer at The Riverdale Press — and later The New York Times — while I was editor of the Norwood News. I remember first seeing his artwork (long before I started doing my own artwork) at YoHo Artists and old factory now filled with studios. Sadly, George passed away in March at 71, yet his wonderful artwork and studio and many of our experiences and memories with him, enables him to continue to live within all of us. Yesterday, I was at the 20th Annual YoHo Open Studios event, and George’s wife, Romina Carrillo, was there to share his wonderful work with us. I am grateful to George for encouraging me in my artwork, and inviting me to take part in exhibits at Gallery 18 in Riverdale, which he curated. Speaking of which …
Tomorrow, Tues., May 7, there will be an opening reception for George’s Work, “How Do We Want to Be Remembered? Celebrating George M. Gutierrez” at Gallery 18 at the Riverdale Y (5625 Arlington Ave.) from 6 to 8 PM. Hope to see some of you there!
Dance and Theatre
BAAD! (Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance) features a good few dance and theatre performances in May in Westchester Square, including the play, In Scena!’s “The Visit,” (photo above), Thursday, May 9 at 7 PM. It’s FREE! More info and tickets here and here.
Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company presents its celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month at Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture, May 10 and 12. More info here and here’s a photo of the dance group performing.
The PRTT in the name of the theatre group Pregones/PRTT (which has truly excellent performances in its South Bronx theatre) stands for The Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre, which is the name of the organization’s performance space on West 47th Street in Manhattan. Now through May 26, the performance there will be “The Desire of the Astronaut,” “which explores the enduring myth and popular iconography of the astronaut through the fictional story of Esteban Only, the last Boricua in space.”
I’m looking forward to checking out this exhibit at the Bronx Documentary Center in Melrose. “Orinoco - Frontera de agua -” (Water Border) “is a visual and literary essay featuring various stories and voices from those who have forged a life in this stateless area near the Orinoco River border between Colombia and Venezuela.” More info here.
BronxArtSpace presents “Hold me as I fly,” which “embraces the paradox in the necessary practices of deep, grounding care and experimental risk-taking on the path toward liberation.” The exhibit runs until May 18.
Workshops/Programs for Adults & Kids
Every summer and fall/spring season, Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center in Wakefield (northeast Bronx near 2/5 trains) offers a number of FREE art programs for kids and teens in addition to public performances, workshops and presentations.
Every Saturday from 2 to 4 PM, BronxArtSpace, on 700 Manida St., provides FREE art classes for all ages, which include drawing, painting, collage and flip-book animation. How cool is that?!
And just as cool, and open to all ages too, is “Sing With Us!,” weekly Monday night singing classes through June 17 for adults and school-age kids from 5:30 to 6:30 PM, (except Memorial Day) at Bronx Music Heritage Center. For more info go to @bxmusic on Facebook and Instagram or email lmolde@whedco.org.
Great interactive exhibits and programs at the relatively new Bronx Children’s Museum.
Bronx River Art Center, on East Tremont Avenue, provides children’s and teen art classes.
Blue Door Arts Center in downtown Yonkers has a FREE workshop that features many FREE kids’ and teens’ art workshops.
Through its Youth Photo League, Bronx Documentary Center in Melrose offers a “FREE after-school and summer documentary photography programs [that] teach[es] middle and high school Bronx students to use photography, writing, and research to explore social justice issues and prepare them for college and future careers.”
Music
OK, here’s a return of what is likely to be a wide variety of performances of all who choose to take part: Uptown Melody brings back “Wine & Soul” open mic and showcase at The Andrew Freedman Home (which is at 1125 Grand Councourse, pretty much right across the street from The Bronx Museum) next Thursday, May 9 from 7 to 10 PM. Uptown Melody is calling for singers, poets, comedians, and hidden talents to come and take part. You can see and learn more @theuptownmelody on Instagram.
As usual, An Beal Bocht in Riverdale has a lot of good live music going on. It’s FREE to get in but all are urged to “Please! Be! Generous!” to gather well-deserved tips for the performers.
One more thing: I recently started an Instagram page for Art All Around Us @artallaroundusbx. I will include updates of art happenings there on a regular basis.
Have a great week, everyone!
—Jordan