Art & Democracy ...
... and the Creative Happenings All Around Us ... AAAU 1.15.25
Seeking, seeing and experiencing art of all kinds is critical at times of crises of all kinds. It can be engaging, thrilling, upsetting, and thought-triggering. But it’s also a profound way of connecting humans at a time when digital engagement escalates and human engagement continues to deteriorate. And that’s what oligarchs and authoritarians all over the world treasure and actively instigate.That’s because connection, engagement, discussion is what democracy relies on. Seeing, doing, and physically engaging with art and artists is not the only answer but it’s a top ingredient for a decent democracy.
On that note, I’ll start with the Bronx Documentary Center, and its upcoming exhibit, “School Shooting in America.” Featuring the moving works of Zackary Canepari, Tamir Kalifa, and Callaghan O’Hare, the show “is meant to highlight the facts around America’s firearms and profile some of the thousands of young people and families who have been affected by school shootings since the Columbine massacre in 1999.” The opening reception of the exhibition, curated by Michael Kamber and Cynthia Rivera, is Fri., Feb. 7 from 6 to 9 PM (try and make it there!) and the exhibit is on through March 16. FREE! (BDC’s website will be down for the next few weeks as a new one is being created.) Here are two photos in the upcoming exhibit.
More Photography …
David Gonzalez, the long-time New York Times reporter, writer, columnist and photographer 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 check out some of his excellent Times photos here.
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, through Feb. 15 it celebrates its 10 years in existence with a gallery retrospective at their new location (!) at Inspiration Point Gallery in Hunts Point. More info here. FREE!
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!
Art Exhibits
At Wave Hill’s Winter Workspace 2025, through March 2, several New York Area artists research and develop work informed by the site, ecology and history of Wave Hill. All the details here.
Through Feb. 15, 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!
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 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. FREE!
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.
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!
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.
The Derfner Judaica Museum, at the Hebrew Home in Riverdale, features “Artfully Arranged: Floral Works from the Collection” through Feb. 2, 2025. FREE!
Through March 28, the Riverfront Art Gallery (part of Yonkers Public Library) in downtown Yonkers presents the exhibit “Empowered,” a group exhibit (see photo of one of the piece’s below). “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.” All the info here.
“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.
On Wed., Jan. 22, from 6:30 to 7:30 PM, Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center’s music department presents a Jazz Night with a performance by members of the Mind-Builders Stage Band. It’s FREE but spots are limited. So, RSVP (and learn more) here.
The Bronx Arts Ensemble’s Woodwind Quintet presents “Bug Sounds” at the University of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale on Sunday, Jan. 26 fro 2 to 3 PM. BAE describes it as “an afternoon of nature-inspired music, featuring works that evoke the beauty of the natural world, from playful frogs to enchanting insects.” It’s FREE and all the details 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.
Speaking of which, Gary Axelbank’s latest Bronx Music Podcast interview features songwriter John Pinamonti, who often performs at An Beal Bocht. In addition to it being a podcast, you can see it on YouTube as well. Axelbank does the interviews live at the Artist Café on City Island on the first Sunday of every month at 1 PM. All are welcome.
Film
A NYC premiere of the film, “Studio 17, The Lost Reggae Tapes,” appears at the new Bronx Music Hall on Sat., Feb. 1. “A newly discovered treasure trove of tapes from Studio 17, or Randy’s Records located in downtown Kingston Jamaica, is the starting point for this remarkable story about a Chinese Jamaican family who helped create the music we now know as reggae.” There will be a reception with DJ Madout, Jamaican food, the screening, followed by a panel discussion. It all begins at 6 PM. All the details, and tickets ($15) here.
Theatre (and Auditions)
Riverdale Children’s Theater (RCT) presents “Sweeney Todd” from Jan. 18 to Jan. 20. 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.
Click here for the upcoming auditions for upcoming plays and musicals — “The Diary of Ann Frank,” and “Seussical” — at The Riverdale Y. All ages for these (The Y also has Riverdale Rising Stars for teens and Junior Rising Stars for kids. All the info here.
Writings/Readings
The Edgar Allan Poe Cottage in Poe Park will be open 1 to 5 PM on Sun., Jan. 19 for a special event to commemorate Poe's birthday. “Join The Bronx County Historical Society and local poets and authors for a day of FREE admission and tours, readings of Poe's poetry. FREE! The Poe Cottage is in PoePark along the Grand Concourse. Contact Roger McCormack for more information at education@bronxhistoricalsociety.org or 718-881-8900 ext. 105.
Workshops/Classes
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.
Art Opportunities
Blue Door Art Center in Yonkers has a Call for Artists for their Black History Month exhibit “Ancestors.” The deadline is Sunday, Jan. 19.
Bronx Council on the Arts has a listing of organizations that provide various “calls for artists.”
OK, everyone. I hope you experience something from above or some other happening you may come across that provides you with some joy and inspiration.
And here’s a photo I took at Dorothy Pond in Millbury, MA, while dropping my daughter off at college. I’ve never successfully captured the details and colors of the moon with my iPhone. I did it this time but have no idea why it worked :-) Maybe because there was still a bit of light outside?
