Graffiti Artist Tracy 168 is Still All Around Us ...
... that and exhibits to see, live music to check out and free creative workshops you can attend!
A Tribute to Tracy 168
This mural, by artist Andre Trenier in 2023, on the side of The Bronx Public, a bar/restaurant in Kingsbridge, honors legendary graffiti artist, Michael Tracy, better known as Tracy 168. He died in 2022 at 65. A New York Times obituary and this cool interview share his story about his work, so relevant to the tumultuous, trying times of the 1970s and 80s in the Bronx and the city at large. I think that this is the third mural on that wall since The Bronx Public’s opening in 2018, and it’s so well done, so relevant to Bronx history, that I hope it’s the last.
For Artists of All Kinds ...
Focal Point Gallery on City Island is accepting submissions for its annual Artist Choice exhibit through March 3. It’s “open to all styles and media” the flier says, and states: “If it can hang on a wall, it can be in the exhibition,” which will be from March 9 to March 31.
There’s and open call for artists’ residencies on Governor’s Island, due March 10.
Bronx Council on the Arts offers three free, virtual workshops in March for performing, visual, and media artists, called “The Art of Presentation: A Practical Guide to Building, Crafting, and Perfecting Your Portfolios.” (I signed up for the visual arts workshop. Looking forward to it!) And related to the workshops, BCA also recommends reading online “How to Write an Art Proposal in Six Easy Steps.”
BCA also presents the Bronx Memoir Project Workshop Series, Beyond the Bios” for writers at all levels, on Saturday from 1 to 3 PM PM via Zoom and in-person at Wakefield Library, 4100 Lowerre Place. One of these four meetups has already passed but it’s totally fine to sign up for any, or all, of the remaining.
I walk in Van Cortlandt Park quite a bit and love to look at and photograph trees, but I don’t think I’ve ever really noticed, or taken pics of, this one. I wonder what stories she could tell …
What To See All Around Us …
The Bronx Documentary Center will have its opening for “Conzo: A Look Back at the Bronx,” 1977 to 1984,” on March 22. It’s the work of accomplished documentary photographer Joe Conzo, who grew up in the South Bronx. Some of his photography in the South Bronx is on his website.
In the last issue, I included a great current exhibit (closes March 1!) at the Casita Maria Gallery. I’m looking forward to their next exhibit, “Leftovers,” by Alexis Marie Montoya. It’s a free opening celebration, with DJ music and refreshments, on Thursday, March 21, from 5:30 to 8 PM.
Gallery 505 in Riverdale features “Daylighting by Tibbets En Plain Air,” by artist Noel Hefele, through March 29.
Derfner Judaica Museum, also in Riverdale, presents “Aspects of Appearance: Portraits from the Collection in Context,” through June 30.
The Bronx Museum, on the Grand Concourse. presents the group show, “Bronx Calling: The Sixth AIM Biennial (Part I)” through March 31.
Blue Door Art Center, just north of the Bronx in downtown Yonkers, will have a free opening for it next exhibit, “Women in Action Together,” this Saturday, March 2 from 1 to 6 PM.
Open Mics/Live Music
The whole month of March at Pregones/PRTT in the South Bronx features all kinds of cool concerts. Check it out!
Lots of good music going on at An Beal Bocht in Riverdale as usual. There’s no charge, but of course they encourage folks to “Please be generous!” while bringing around the tip basket. In addition to drinks there’s dinner (and lunch) at An Beal Bocht, too. And open mics (where anyone can sign up that night and take part) are every Tuesday from about 8 PM to 10 PM.
On Wed., March 6, Riverdale’s Musical Open Mic & Acoustic Jam is at Riverdale Steakhouse. It’s hosted by awesome blues harmonica player Mark the Harper.
Kingsbridge Heights native Gary Axelbank will host his second “Bronx Music Podcast” with musician Elissa Carmona of the Morrisania Band Project on Sunday, March 4 at Starving Artist on City Island. And lots more going on there in March.
Making a Good Point: Rick Rubin
In the past few years, I’ve read a lot of books regarding creativity and underlined many many of the authors’ good suggestions. I find many useful and thought you might too.
Here’s one from Rick Rubin’s book, “The Creative Act: A Way of Being,” by Rick Rubin.
All art is a work in progress. It’s helpful to see the piece we’re working on as an experiment. One in which we can’t predict the outcome. Whatever the result, we will receive useful information that will benefit the next experiment.
If you start from the position that there is no right or wrong, no good or bad, and creativity is just free play with no rules, it’s easier to submerge yourself joyfully in the process of making things.
We’re not playing to win, we’re playing to play. And ultimately, playing is fun. Perfectionism gets in the way of fun. A more skillful goal might be to find comfort in the process. …
This is not just a path to more supportive thoughts. Active play and experimentation until we’re happily surprised is how the best work reveals itself.
I thought I’d end with my recent photo of a flower, from a greenhouse at Wave Hill. Hope it’s a good sign of what’s to come soon.
OK, thanks for reading! Hope it leads you to go see something you’ll dig. Have a great week and weekend!