Incredible Artwork ... and Challenging Times
Art All Around Us — 5.15.25
Hey Everyone,
Before I get to all the good stuff going on, I’ll start with this news re: National Endowment of the Arts, a federal agency, cancelling grants it had already approved for the Bronx Council of the Arts, an attack that is affecting nonprofit art organizations throughout the country.
Following is a letter to us all from BCA’s executive director, Viviana Bianchi:
Dear Friends,
On the evening of Friday, May 2, 2025, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) informed us that they were revoking $30,000 in recommended funding for BCA’s Longwood Art Gallery. We were relying on those funds to deliver this year’s three-part exhibition series, The World We Want To Live In. Having already held two out of three exhibitions, this decision is a financial blow to us and comes on the heels of the installation of our third and final exhibition of the year, Transformative Impact.
Since 1981, the Longwood Art Gallery has been a pioneer of showcasing artists whose work has been underrepresented by mainstream venues. We’ve had our setbacks before, including when we had to leave our first home in 2002, the constant threats to public funding, or even when we had to leave our second home last summer! It’s true, the NEA’s decision hurts. But through perseverance, determination, and community support, we’ve always found a path forward. We will not be stopped from fulfilling our programs and we will continue to advocate for Bronx artists and cultural organizations through these difficult times.
I regret that we’re also at risk of losing an additional $40,000 in NEA funding for our beloved Bronx Memoir Project (BMP). Through workshops led by professional writers, artists of all backgrounds use poetry, essay, and personal narratives to tell their stories about the Bronx. As one artist put it, “The people of The Bronx have grown used to other folks talking about us, defining who we are and how we’re living. It’s time we tell our own stories, define ourselves, and bring the people into the light.” It goes without saying that a $40,000 cut to BMP could seriously impact how we offer this program in the future.
You can help us stabilize the Longwood Art Gallery and BMP by donating to BCA, by sharing this message with your community, or by joining us at the opening reception of Transformative Impact on May 28, 2025, when we’ll be thinking about a world we want to live in together.
In gratitude,
Viviana Bianchi, Executive Director
Speaking of art and politics, some of you might recall that last summer I wrote an article for The Forward about the murals a famous 20th century artist, Ben Shahn, created in the former General Post Office on the Grand Concourse back. I’m a huge fan of his artwork, as its stunning intensity often pulls the viewer into past battles over political injustice that are so relevant to right now.
Though the Shahn murals in the Bronx are currently inaccessible to the public (a private developer owns the structure and currently has it up for sale) there is a significant upcoming Shahn exhibition — “Ben Shahn, on Nonconformity,” at The Jewish Museum in Manhattan. It’s a follow-up to an incredibly large exhibition last year at Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía in Madrid, Spain. Dr. Laura Katzman, the curator of both exhibits, was incredibly helpful when I interviewed her for the Forward article. The shows come at such a critical time: alerting us to an emerging dictatorship in the United States. Art is critical, as are we all, in saving and re-empowering our democracy to a greater, stronger level. Democracy cannot exist without our participation. Shahn’s work can play a critical role in nudging us all to get to work. The exhibit is on from May 23 to Oct. 12. Hope you can make it!
PHOTOGRAPHY
En Foco and Kreate Hub Bronx present the photo exhibit Shifting In Place through Sept. 1 at Kreate Hub. The exhibition features a curated selection of photographs by artists previously featured with Nueva Luz or the En Foco Archives and Study Center.
THEATRE
Check out this Pregones/PRTT happening at their mid-town theatre (they also have an active one in the South Bronx): “‘Parrots at the Pagoda,’ inspired by the life of iconic vocalist and prolific trio musician Johnny Rodríguez, takes audiences into the world and music of this legendary Puerto Rican composer, drag artist, and impresario.’” It’ll be on through May 25. All the info here.
Upcoming theater at Riverdale Y includes “Seussical,” May 25 to 29. All the info here.
And details on Riverdale Children’s Theatre summer session for third to tenth graders right here.
I was at the Sydney & Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden at the New Orleans Museum of Art in City Park a couple of weeks ago. If you ever head down there, check it out. Stunning sculpture outside and art of all kinds inside. Here’s one of the sculptures …
MUSIC
Lots going on this month at the relatively new — and beautiful — Bronx Music Hall, including its monthly series Nueva Voces, which this Thurs., (today!) March 15 at 7 PM, will feature Emerging Voices in Latin Jazz: Jennifer Jade Ledesna & Sexteto Sabroso. Tickets ($15) and more info here. There’s also Bronx Vaudeville on Thurs., May 22. Details here.
Bronx Arts Ensemble has two shows coming up: Courtney’s Stars of Tomorrow at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Fordham (in the Bronx’s Little Italy) on Fri., May 16 at 7:30 PM. And on Sun., May 18 from 3 to 4 PM BAE presents Windscapes at Bronx Music Hall. For the info on both of these, go here.
On Sat., May 31 at 8 PM, Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture in the South Bronx features the performance of “Los Rivera Destino (Witty Satire with Music!)” All the info here.
There’s a lot going on concert-wise at Lehman Center for the Performing Arts in Bedford Park this May. All the info here.
Every month you can see the monthly Bronx Music Podcast interview of Bronx musicians, hosted by Gary Axelbank, live at The Artist on City Island. You can also check out the interviews/performances on YouTube, Spotify or Apple, including this recent one.
As usual, there is a lot of great live music, as well as art and theatre, to check out at An Beal Bocht Café in Riverdale. Open mics, with Eric Sullivan are every Tuesday at 9 PM. Writers/Poetry Night with Melinda Wilson & Erin Lynn is on the 2nd Wednesday of every month. Yet there’s so much more. Check it all out here.
DANCE
There are three remaining dance performances this month at the Boogie Down Dance Festival at BAAD! (Bronx Academy for Arts & Dance) in its beautiful old church venue in Westchester Square. Check it all out here.
FILM
The Bronx Filmmakers Collective, in partnership with Bronx River Art Center (BRAC) and Bronx River Alliance, present The Bronx River Film Diaries, an experimental documentary workshop and film challenge celebrating Earth Day 2025.Inspired by this year’s global Earth Day theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” the project centers on the local theme “Our Power, Our River,” inviting Bronx residents to explore their relationship with the Bronx River through personal, poetic filmmaking. It’s on through May 31. All the info here.
Inwood Art Works announces its tenth year of the Inwood Film Festival, to be held at Columbia University’s Campbell Sports Center in Inwood from May 29 to June 1 just across the Bridge from Broadway in Marble Hill/Kingsbridge. All the info here.
OPEN STUDIOS, OPPORTUNITIES, OPENINGS, etc.
If you’re free anytime this weekend and interested in a phenomenal art gathering, do not miss the 21st Annual YoHo Artists Open Studio Weekend on May 17 and 18 from 1 to 5 PM. It features dozens of artists (many from the Bronx!) in dozens of studios sharing their work with all who stop by. You will not only see a lot of wonderful work; you will also get the chance to learn more about it, the artists, and how the work is created. It’s FREE! And all the info here.
Longwood Art Gallery, at the Bronx Council on the Arts’ headquarters in Westchester Square, will have an opening reception on Wed., May 28, 6 to 8 PM for “Transformative Impact,” an exhibit that “explores how the production of contemporary artists can impact their communities when addressing social justice and environmental issues that matter most.” The exhibit is on through July 2. All the details here.
The opening reception for artist Wilfredo BIO Feliciano’s solo exhibition, “king of hearts” at WALLWORKS, NY (now based at Inspiration Point in Hunts Point) is on Sat., May 17, from 6 to 8 PM. The exhibit is on through June 13. FREE!
Riverdale Art Association hosts member exhibits, and on its website it shares members’ artwork. It also gathers artists to share and discuss their work in person. Check out all it makes happen right here. And you can see works of members here.
The exhibit “Beyond the Feminist Mystique,” at Blue Door Art Center in downtown Yonkers is open through June 14. All the info here. By the way, Blue Door Art Center is a great nonprofit place to apply to and take part in group exhibits. I’ve been part of several exhibits there and the staff are very welcoming and encouraging. Teens and young adults should also apply!
Through November, Bronx County Historical Society presents the exhibit “Uptown Rumble: Heavy Music in the Bronx,” Here’s what the show is all about: “While The Bronx is universally recognized as an epicenter for hip hop, salsa, doo-wop, jazz, reggaeton, and many other popular music genres, our borough is ignored in popular narratives about hard rock, heavy metal, and punk rock.” The show, at the Bronx History Museum in Norwood, features photos, flyerz, fanzines, clippings, memorabilia, oral history and more. FREE!
ART EXHIBITS
This might not be a formal art exhibit but it is nature’s colors and shapes that each person sees and absorbs in different ways. (What’s more artsy than that?) Well, as you may know, there are a ton of different colors in different, natural shapes and sizes in the spring and summer at The New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx. More info here.
By the way, Bronx residents can get free access to see most of the NYBG. Learn more here.
At the Derfner Judaica Museum in Riverdale, the exhibit “Nature’s Persistence: Recent Work by Shelley Haven,” is running through June 29. FREE! All the info and photos here and one of the paintings here:
The new exhibit at Bronx Museum on the Grand Concourse (part of which is currently being renovated and enlarged) is “Working Knowledge: Shared Imaginings, New Futures.” It’s on through July 6. All visits to Bronx Museum are FREE!
Through May 31, the Van Corltandt House Museum in Van Cortlandt Park features the exhibit, “History Stitched Together: Bronx Bicentennial Quilts.” All the info here. FREE!
Here are all the upcoming exhibits at Wave Hill in Riverdale.
“Form and Abstraction: A Retrospective” is the current exhibit at the Riverfront Art Gallery, a beautiful space at Yonkers Public Library in downtown Yonkers. It is on through May 23. All the info here. FREE!
BronxArtSpace features the group exhibit, ¡Te Amo Porque S.O.S. Pueblo!, through May 25. All the info here. FREE!
At the Hudson River Museum in Yonkers, there are several exhibits to go see, including “It Takes Two: Unexpected Pairings,” through June 1, and “Collection Spotlight: Cityscapes,” which is ongoing. All current exhibits listed here.
Casita Maria Gallery in Hunts Point presents “You CAN Sit Here,” a multimedia solo exhibition by Bronx native Tiffany ‘Tiff McFierce’ McPherson, on through Aug. 16. More details here. FREE!
OK, everyone, have a great week, and I hope you can check out some of the above. Oh, regarding what I explained in intro, pleases consider making a donation, of any amount, to the Bronx Council on the Arts to protect its critical programs!
Peace & Justice to All,
Jordan