Art All Around Us — 9.19.24
Creative Happenings in the Bronx and a Bit Beyond ...
A couple of things to start with before getting to the creative happenings all around us.
I mentioned this in a recent newsletter, but I just wanted to make sure you knew about an article I wrote for the Jewish newspaper, the Forward. The famous mural (with 13 sections) by Ben Shahn, created in the 1930s at the former Bronx General Post Office, have been hidden from the public for the last decade. The giant landmarked structure (on East 149th Street and the Grand Concourse is up for sale yet again.
In other news, I was at the Van Cortlandt Library yesterday, where they often highlight books banned in schools throughout the country, and offer them for FREE! They call it “Books for All: Protect the Freedom to Read.” The latest book offered is a cartoon novel, “Flamer,” by Mike Curato. It’s about a boy struggling with the acceptance that he is gay. Here’s a photo of the cover …
Photography
Through Jan. 26, 2025 in Norwood, the Museum of Bronx History presents the group exhibition of Seis del Sur: “HISTORIAS: The Stories Behind the Images.” “This interactive multimedia exhibition will go below the surface of the collective’s documentary photographs of The Bronx — many never exhibited before — and illuminate the borough’s historical narrative through contextual timelines, meta and personal anecdotes.” The museum adds that the pop-up showcase “will cover a broad range of issues … that have impacted the people of the Bronx over the last four decades.” The museum is open on Saturdays, 10 AM to 4 PM. Private tours via appointment are available throughout the week. All FREE!
On Friday, Sept. 20, Bronx Documentary Center in Melrose will have an opening for “El Salvador: Legacy of Violence,” an exhibit by Robert Nickelsberg and Fred Ramos. More info here. FREE. Photo from exhibit below.
Nayib Bukele raise black crosses to protest against opposition congressmen, who refused to approve a $109 million dollar budget for Bukele's security plan in San Salvador on February, 2020. Photo: Fred Ramos
Comedy (and Poetry, too!)
Coming up at BAAD! — Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance — on Sat., Sept. 21 at 8 PM, in Westchester Square, is “You Had Me at Atmósfera: A Serene Evening of Stand-Up & Stanzas,” featuring host and comedic raver of ceremonies Mateo Rodriguez-Hurtado “for a one-night-only affair lovingly uniting hard belly-laugh inciting comedians and soul reviving poetic performers.” It’s $10. More info and tickets here.
Art
There are two events coming up at the Bronx River Art Center.
The first, an opening reception for a group exhibition of studio artists past and present, is tonight Thursday, Sept. 19 from 4 to 7 PM. FREE.
The second, on Wed., Oct. 16, is Artistry in Service: A Celebration of Legacy and Dedication, Honoring Executive Director Emeritus Gail Nathan, “honoring the leadership and commitment to the arts of Nathan.” The celebration includes a group exhibition, gala and silent auction. For tickets and more info, click here.
At Lehman College Art Gallery (and at two other CUNY colleges) 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. One of the exhibit’s pieces is below.
Within/Without is an exhibit at the Riverfront Art Gallery at the Yonkers Public Library in downtown Yonkers that explores visual storytelling and how what we create reflects deeper underlying personal narratives.
There are five art exhibits through the end of the year at Wave Hill in Riverdale. All the info here.
And speaking of Wave Hill, on Thurs., Sept. 26, from 4:30 to 8:30 PM, it’s hosting a FREE celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month called Fiesta on the Hudson. “Dance the night away as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month! Learn the basic steps and traditions of dances like salsa and cha-cha, while enjoying live music by Conjunto Tahona, featuring José Mangual Jr. on the Great Lawn overlooking the Hudson River and Palisades.”
Bronx Museum presents “FUTURA 2000: BREAKING OUT,” “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. Always FREE at Bronx Museum.
The current art exhibit (outdoors and indoors) at the New York Botanical Garden is “Wonderland: Curious Nature” through Oct. 27.
Through Oct. 12, BronxArtSpace presents “The Intersectionality of The Taino: Embracing a Cultural Exploration” through Oct. 12. FREE.
The Derfner Judaica Museum, at the Hebrew Home in Riverdale, features “Artfully Arranged: Floral Works from the Collection” through Feb. 2, 2025. It’s a “thematic exhibition [that] features 24 prints, paintings, drawings, and mixed media works spanning the mid-20th century to the aughts by 20 artists who use flowers and floral forms to explore the intersection of the natural and urban worlds; formalism; decorative design motifs; symbolism, and mortality.” FREE. You can also see on Derfner’s website many of the paintings and more info on the exhibit.
In Mott Haven, WallWorks New York features never-before seen original artworks in the exhibit, “The Found Art of Thom Corn,” curated by filmmaker Nancy August. Recently found by the late artist’s landlord, the works showcase classic elements of Corn’s artwork.
Have you ever been to the Hudson River Museum? It’s really worth checking out, as there are several exhibits to explore, and it’s just a bit north of Riverdale. “No Bodies: Clothing as Disruptor,” is one in particular that I look forward to seeing.
Theatre
The Red Monkey Theater Group, in the 19th century parlor of historic Bartow-Pell mansion in Pelham Bay Park features “Uncle Vanya,” a “fierce and funny production of Chekhov’s darkly comic masterpiece on Sept. 22, 26, 27 and 29. The denizens of a fading estate in the Russian countryside share unrequited love, longing, heartbreak, and humor.”
Music
Riverdale Steak House has live music (calendar out-of-date on their site, but music is still going on) including open mics every other Wednesday eve. I was there last night for the first time, playing a bit with a friend. It’s a welcoming setting.
The Artist (also known as Starving Artist) on City Island hosts lots of live music. More info here.
Lehman Center for the Performing Arts hosts a celebration of the famous Cuban singer, Celia Cruz. (By the way, the high school next door to Lehman College is named for Cruz.) More info here.
To see what’s going on at the relatively new (and beautiful!) Bronx Music Hall, go here.
An Beal Bocht in Riverdale: Great live music and other artsy events throughout the week.
Kids and Family
BxArtsFactory in Melrose provides a useful series of video lessons on their website for families doing art at home. You can learn a lot more about the organization here.
Free Writing Workshop
The Bronx Council on the Arts is hosting, via its Bronx Memoir Project, an online four-class workshop called “The Body is a Portal: A Creative Writing Workshop on Poetry, Prose, and Memoir.” The remaining classes are on the 21st and the 28th. You can RSVP for either or both of those classes. It is all FREE! Oh, one more important thing: “This free virtual workshop series is open to all regardless of writing experience.”
Have a GREAT week, folks! Enjoy whatever you might choose listed above. And please let me know what you enjoyed seeing that isn’t mentioned here!
If you’re interested in taking a look at my own photography and mixed media abstract work, I’m on IG @jordanmossbx.
Peace,
Jordan