The Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition
There are certain rites of spring that define the season – the blossoming Cherry Esplanade at BBG, commencement ceremonies, the return of ice cream cones and rose wine. For the artists and patrons of the Brooklyn Waterfront Artist Coalition, spring time signals a fresh new season of art shows and performances. To begin BWAC’s fortieth year, opening May 13, The 2017 Spring Shows: Wide Open 8, the Recycle Show and the 25th Annual Spring Pier Show: Rites of Spring.
As inspiration to participating artists, Rites of Spring show chair Anna Annus Hagen referenced Rainer Maria Rilke’s poem, Early Spring. As a result, the light-filled, airy galleries are filled with images of renewal and regeneration. Over 150 artists are exhibiting.
Wide Open 8, a national juried show presents 120 works selected from more than 1500 submissions, by artists all around the country. Esteemed juror Cara Manes, Assistant Curator in the Department of Painting and Sculpture at MoMA, selected pieces of virtually every medium, including painting, photography, mixed media, sculpture and installation – it was completely wide open. Manes had this to say: I was impressed by both the breadth and caliber of the artists' creative production, and I look forward to seeing the show come together.
Recycle 2017showcases art crafted from cast-off, discarded and repurposed materials, and the pieces selected will certainly impress, amaze and amuse. Says Harriet Taub, Executive Director of Materials for the Arts and the show’s juror:
The opening reception on May 13th features RB FIVE. Richard Bennett and his irreverent group of NY improvisers will perform selections from his upcoming Ropeadope Records release Experiments in Truth as well as “other vital, groovalicious and transcendent tunes.” Come add to the giant installation string sculpture made of reused yarn, ribbon, and rope with NYC’s premier reuse facility, Materials for the Arts, a unit of the Department of Cultural Affairs. And cast your vote for Wide Open 8 and Recycle Peoples’ Choice Awards.
A full complement of live music and special events are planned for every day the galley is open. There is a Sunday multi-genre music series that includes performances granted by The Jazz Foundation of America; and a Saturday reading series with a wondrous variety of NY wordsmiths. On June 3, to complement the Recycle show, SIMS Municipal Recycling in Sunset Park is again sponsoring a special film - Fold Crumple Crush: The Art of El Anatsui about the Ghanese artist who converts used bottle tops into huge, opulent wall hangings. Admission to the gallery and all its special events is free, donations gladly accepted.
BWAC’s 25,000 sf Civil War-era gallery is located at a spectacular waterfront site overlooking the Statue of Liberty and New York Harbor. It is across from the Fairway supermarket and down the block from IKEA in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn, set amidst trendy boutiques and restaurants. Accessible by public transportation and biking is a breeze!
Saturday, May 13th
Music by RBS-jazz pianist Richard Bennett and his irreverent group of NY improvisers.
And there ill be a really fun collaborative art installation where visitors will be invited to help build a giant string sculpture, made of reused yarn, ribbon, and rope, with NYC's premier reuse facility. Materials for the Arts, a unit of the Department of Cultural Affairs.
Sunday, May 14th
Performance by singer, songwriter, and progressive folk musician, Zac Messick, 3PM
Other special events are planned for every day of the show - including the Sunday performance series and Saturday reading series, which aims to celebrate and savor the wondrous variety of Brooklyn-based wordsmiths.
The show is open weekends 1-6 PM and runs through June 18.
481 Van Brunt Street (Door 7) in Red Hook
718-596-2506
email bwacinfo@aol.com
for more information, go to bwac.org
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