Thursday, March 8, 2012

1st Opening Reception | DNAinfo.com Article


"Since they arrived in Bushwick from Puerto Rico more than five decades ago, 61-year-old Aida Irizarry and her 80-year-old mother, Blanca, have watched the neighborhood evolve".

So begins "Photographer Captures Pioneers of Bushwick's Past", Meredith Hoffman's February feature article on DNAinfo.com about the Pioneers Of Bushwick: We Call It Home exhibit at Diana Jones Senior Center. I give Meredith my sincere thanks for her persistence. I was a pain to get hold of several days before the exhibit - on the run with final preparations.

Me and Narcisa Ruiz (Center Director) with some of the "Pioneers of Bushwick"

(l to r) Avellar G. Hansley, artist Daryl-Ann Saunders (rear), Linda McKinley, Center Director Narcisa Ruiz (rear), Aida Irizarry, Robert Camacho (rear), Blanca Irizarry, Ana Nieves (rear), and Elizabeth Colon. Out of view on the right: Jose Colon, Lucy Mendez, and Angel Mendez

Photo by Meredith Hoffman, DNAinfo.com

We had two receptions for the exhibit - - a private one for Center members and then one the next day for the public. As guests of honor, the "Pioneer" participants were invited to both.The afternoon event was nicely packed, representatives from the sponsoring organizations attended and spirits were high.

Narcisa Ruiz, the Center's Director, launched the event with a rousing introduction about the project and the Center's growing positive role within the community. After that, we were delighted to present each "Pioneer" in attendance with a Certificate of Recognition.

Thank you to all the Pioneers that attended, the representatives from Brooklyn Arts Council (Ethany Uttech), the NYC Department for the Aging (Gail Evans), Ridgewood-Bushwick Senior Citizens Council and Diana Jones Center staff (Sandra Christian, Arlene Suero, LuLu) for contributing to a great afternoon. And plenty of food! More to come in the next post about the evening reception.

The exhibit is open to the general public and can be viewed M-F 8am-3pm through April 27th at Diana Jones Center, 9 Noll Street (corner of Bushwick Avenue) in Brooklyn, NY. It's easy by subway - - the J/ M/ Z to Myrtle Avenue at Broadway and then a 4 block walk. Links to additional info and directions are under "PAGES", the section at the top of the right menu. Stop by and don't forget to sign the guest book! Enter your e-mail on the upper right of this page to receive periodic blog updates.


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