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NYCHA’S 2005 Resident Art Show
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“Ganesha”
Ages 6 to 12, |
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“Mask
of Panama” Jeremiah Brunson, Age 11, |
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“Penguins”
Victoria Vasquez, Age 10, |
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“Chillin’ Chris with His Earphones”Jeffrey Morin, Age 13, Boulevard Community Center, Brooklyn |
If you were lucky enough to take in the 2005 Resident
Art Show at the Rutgers Community Center on Manhattan’s Lower
East Side last month, then you probably already know that there are
more talented New York City Housing Authority resident artists now
than ever before. From papier mâché sculptures, to time-lapsed
digital photographs, to mixed media collages, to watercolor and acrylic
paintings, the 300 pieces of artwork on display gave a powerful impression
of a vibrant creative spirit in NYCHA developments.
As Harborview Arts Coordinator William Lucero put it, “The year
for Harborview begins and ends with the Resident Art Show.”A
panel of three art professionals viewed over 1,000 entries to choose
the 300 pieces for the exhibit - the largest number of finalists ever
accepted since the Resident Art Show began 15 years ago.
The art was created throughout the year by children, teens and seniors
at over 100 NYCHA community facilities, in workshops led by NYCHA’s
Harborview Visual Arts staff and consultants. Harborview now employs
50 professional artists to conduct the weekly workshops which generate
no less than an estimated 2,000 pieces of art a week!
NYCHA Chairman Tino Hernandez joined Board Member JoAnna Aniello,
Community Operations Deputy General Manager Hugh Spence and Assistant
Deputy General Manager Michelle Pinnock in the gymnasium on June 8th
for the official ceremony honoring 65 seniors from all five boroughs
with “Excellence In Art” awards. Over 200 youth from the
Bronx, Manhattan and Staten Island were honored in a similar ceremony
the previous day at the community center, as were 200 Brooklyn and
Queens youth on June 9th.
If you didn’t get a chance to stop by before the show closed
on June 22nd, there’s still a chance to view the work. For the
first time an additional exhibit will be held at the Rush Arts Gallery
located in the Chelsea section of Manhattan at 526 West 26th Street,
from August 9th through the 13th. The exhibit will include not only
the work of resident artists, but also the work of the Harborview
artist consultants.
NYCHA’s Citywide Programs Assistant Director Ukah Busgith expressed
her thanks to Mr. Lucero, as well as to Harborview Arts Coordinators
Josie Gonzalez and Mildred Beltré, for “working tirelessly
to put the show together.” And no account of the ceremony on
June 9th would be complete without mentioning the moving performance
by the NYCHA Senior Chorus.
“This is the most lively and active art show I’ve ever
been to,” said Mr. Spence. Mr. Spence also thanked NYCHA’s
Chairman and Board for their support.
NYCHA’s Harborview Visual Arts Program holds weekly workshops
for children ages 6-12 who are enrolled in the afterschool program,
for teens ages 13-19 in the evening program, and also for seniors.
For more information, contact Harborview at: (212) 541-5172.
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| Harborview
Arts Coordinator William Lucero speaking to more than 200 seniors,
many of whom were honored at the Rutgers Community Center for
the 2005 Resident Art Show. |