TimesNewsWeekly, "Transformation In Bushwick: Senior Center Becomes A New Art Space"

This article, "Transformation In Bushwick: Senior Center Becomes A New Art Space", written by reporter Sam Goldman for TimesNewsWeekly, appeared in both the printed and online versions of the publication.

The article covers the June 23rd artist talk we held at Diana Jones Senior Center for 2 concurrent exhibitions there, Transformation: holding on / letting go and Pioneers of Bushwick: Enduring Portraits of Dignity. I had organized them to mark the culmination of my SPARC (Seniors Partnering with Artists Citywide) residency at the center.

Both exhibits coincided with Bushwick Open Studios 2012 art festival and the 47th anniversary of Diana Jones Center's service to the Bushwick community. 47 years - wow.

Artist Ken Butler (standing) plays a tune on his “hybrid instrument” 
for Diana Jones Senior Center Executive Director Narcisa Ruiz (on 
right) during a June 23rd talk about the two exhibits on display,  
Transformation  and Pioneers of Bushwick, at the Bushwick facility. 
Seated are fellow artists Lavinia Roberts (at left) and Andy Monk. 
The Pioneers of Bushwick artwork is on display behind them.

Photo by Sam Goldman, TimesNewsWeekly.com

The article highlights each artist (Ken Butler, Andy Monk, Lavinia Roberts and myself) individually and I admit to feeling gratified that it also does justice to the Pioneers of Bushwick exhibit by devoting part of the article to it plus including quotes from the audience about it. It's nice when a reporter actually stays for an entire event. Thank you, Sam Goldman!

The large canvas portraits and stories of the "Pioneers of Bushwick" exhibit represent 2 years of work which I was fortunate, through the Center's generosity, to work on during my SPARC residency there. Thank you so much, Narcisa.

I also owe a debt of gratitude to the Brooklyn Arts Council, Materials for the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and the NYC Department for the Aging for partial sponsorship of the project. Thanks!

Meet the artists of "Transformation" & "Pioneers of Bushwick" by Daryl-Ann Saunders

*SPECIAL EVENT - ARTIST TALK* 
SAT JUNE 23rd AT 1PM (SEATING BEGINS 12:30)

Diana Jones Center and RBSCC invite all to view the current exhibitions and meet the talented artists of "TRANSFORMATION" and "PIONEERS OF BUSHWICK", curated by Daryl-Ann Saunders.

Location: Diana Jones Senior Center, 9 Noll Street at the corner of Bushwick Avenue in Brooklyn.
Map HERE. Check the facebook event & RSVP HERE.

SAT JUNE 23 2012, 1PM
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
NO CHARGE
REFRESHMENTS
AIR-CONDITIONED

ARTIST SPEAKERS:
Ken Butler transforms objects into functional hybrid instruments and artwork. NOTE: He is performing this Sunday at Northside Festival in Williamsburg, Brooklyn at 3pm! Ken on facebook.

Andy Monk's recent plaster/ matchstick series represent floor plans of his former residences, etc. They are composed of thousands of matchsticks and are transformed, through burning, to leave behind the scorched remnants of memory. Andy on facebook.

Lavinia Roberts' work, as a playwright and creator of soft sculpture/ masks, is transformed from words/ object into social commentary. Her short play, Moment, is at the East Village Theatre Festival in June/July. NOTE: Catch today's performance, Sat 3/16 at 3pm ("EVA" on the calendar)! Lavinia on facebook.

Daryl-Ann Saunders' ongoing "Pioneers of Bushwick" photo portraits & text are on display at 3 locations in Bushwick. One of numerous objectives is to share stories of long-time Bushwick residents, thus transforming them from strangers to neighbors. Daryl-Ann on facebook.

Note: Exhibit artwork also by Corinne Beardsley and Michael Feld who will not be present at the artist talk.

Spotlight: Avellar G. Hansley (By Daryl-Ann Saunders)

An exhibit of canvas portraits (26x18") and text may be viewed at the current venue(s).

Pioneers of Bushwick: Enduring Portraits of Dignity
Portraits by Daryl-Ann Saunders
Words by Bushwick Residents

"I lived on Linden Street, it was the 2nd house from the
factory. The factory was burnin’ down. They had to rip the
walls all the way down because they were all burnt. . ."

AVELLAR G. HANSLEY, 2/9/2011
Copyright © Daryl-Ann Saunders

Spotlight: Ana Nieves (By Daryl-Ann Saunders)

An exhibit of canvas portraits (26x18") and text may be viewed at the current venue(s).

Pioneers of Bushwick: Enduring Portraits of Dignity
Portraits by Daryl-Ann Saunders
Words by Bushwick Residents

"We come to live at 464 Bushwick Ave in 1960’s.
In 1960’s, when I got here it was like a Dream
because I never saw many lights and houses
and buildings in my life . . . "

ANA NIEVES, 12/12/2010
Copyright © Daryl-Ann Saunders

BushwickDaily.com, "6 Bushwick Photographers We Love . . ."

I didn't get to share the following kind attention for me and the Pioneers of Bushwick series on the BushwickDaily.com several months ago. It mentions an exhibition and those photographs with new images may be viewed at 3 locations throughout the summer. I hope you'll stop by to see them and leave a comment here. Please subscribe to this blog for updates. Thank you!

6 Bushwick Photographers We Love

By Katarina Hybenova

. . . #6 Daryl-Ann Saunders

Daryl-Ann Saunders came to the attention of Bushwick when she created a series of portraits of longtime Bushwick residents to honor those that have lived in Bushwick since 1975 or earlier. The series titled Pioneers of Bushwick is on view through April 27 at Diana Jones Senior Center at 9 Noll Street.

Announcement: "POB" Artwork At 3 Locations in Bushwick

      Pioneers of Bushwick: Enduring Portraits of Dignity      
Portraits by Daryl-Ann Saunders
Words by Bushwick Residents

Whew, what a tornado of activity during the last few weeks! I framed previous and new "Pioneers of Bushwick" images for two different venues and I'm so happy with how the final pieces look. With text, they're currently on display at three locations in Bushwick throughout the summer. Dates, times, events are indicated below. Stop by! Tell me what you think! (And kindly share the link of this page with your facebook friends). For periodic updates, subscribe on the upper right of this page.

• WYCKOFF HEIGHTS MEDICAL CENTER

12 canvas photographs with adjacent text
24/7, through Jan. 31, 2013
Wykcoff Heights Medical Center
374 Stockholm Street 
(bt Wyckoff and St. Nicholas Avenues)
Brooklyn, NY 11237 - ground floor, main hallway
Take L train to DeKalb stop, hospital is on the corner.

• DIANA JONES SENIOR CENTER

17 canvas photographs with adjacent text with "Transformation" exhibit
M-F 8am-3pm, through July 27th, 2012
Diana Jones Senior Center
9 Noll Street at Bushwick Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11206 - lower level
Take J/ M/ Z train to Myrtle Ave & Broadway stop, walk 5 minutes

*Special Event: June 23rd ARTIST TALK, open to the public. Join us!
1pm-2:15pm: Artist talk for Pioneers of Bushwick and Transformation exhibit. Curator/ Artist, Daryl-Ann Saunders with Ken Butler, Andy Monk and Lavinia Roberts.

• SWEET & SHINY

1 canvas photograph (group show)
daily till 6:30pm through July 24th, 2012
Sweet & Shiny Cafe (wonderful cupcakes!)
214 Knickerbocker Avenue
(bt Jefferson & Troutman Streets)
Brooklyn, NY 11237
Take L train to Jefferson Street stop, walk 2 blocks

BushwickDaily.com, "10 Things To Know . . ."

10 Things To Know Before Bushwick Open Studios 2012!

By Katarina Hybenova


" . . . Arts in Bushwick makes a beautiful map of all the participating studios and art spaces. You will be able to pick it up at various Bushwick locations, but mainly at one of the hubs, English Kills gallery, Northeast Kingdom restaurant, Outpost Artist Resources, AIRPLANE gallery, cafe Little Skips and Diana Jones Senior Center."

Diana Jones Senior Center (address, subway, BOS hours below)

BushwickDaily.com wrote the above information more than a month ago and YES, Diana Jones Senior Center (where I've been creating the Pioneers of Bushwick project) will act as one of numerous HUBS for the June 1st - June 3rd Bushwick Open Studios 2012. Yay!

And, what does that mean for you, about Diana Jones Senior Center, during Bushwick Open Studio weekend ??

It means that in addition to . . .

• a 5pm Fri, June 1st wine reception to celebrate the opening of BOS 2012.
• a 6pm Fri, June 1st panel discussion, "Legal Basics for Artists", offered free-of-charge by the New York State Bar Association.
• art exhibits throughout the weekend such as
~ "Transformation" artwork and performance by artists Ken Butler, Andy Monk, Lavinia Roberts, Corinne Beardsley and Michael Feld
~ "Pioneers of Bushwick: Part II" new photographic portraits of longtime Bushwick residents by Daryl-Ann Saunders
~ "Bushwick: Rebirth & Revival" paintings of Bushwick buildings and scenes by local senior artists

• performance ("art-burning", "Drunk Girls"), food and beverages.

 . . . you can stop by throughout the weekend to pick up  Maps, Programs, friendly directions, everything you need for your art-filled Bushwick weekend!

Is that cool or what?

Location: Diana Jones Senior Center, 9 Noll St at Bushwick Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11206
Subway: Take J/M/Z train to Myrtle & Broadway, walk 3 short blocks to Center.
Open Hrs during BOS: 6/1 Fri 3:30-7:30pm, 6/2 Sat 12-7pm, 6/3 Sun 2-5pm.

TimesNewsWeekly, "Pioneers Of Bushwick Are Featured In Local Exhibit"

Photojournalist Sam Goldman's feature article ‘Pioneers Of Bushwick Are Featured In Local Exhibit", spotlighted the Pioneers of Bushwick: We Call It Home exhibit in last month's printed and online publications of the local Ridgewood Times (a.k.a. TimesNewsWeekly).

Daryl-Ann Saunders (center), the exhibit’s creator, is flanked
by some of the people who helped make her exhibit possible:
Danai Pointer of the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, Narcisa
Ruiz, executive director of the Jones Senior Center; Kristin Sakoda,
also of the Department of Cultural Affairs; and Kathleen Christie
of the Brooklyn Arts Council.

Photo by Sam Goldman, TimesNewsWeekly.com

From the article:

"The Diana Jones Senior Center in Bushwick became an art studio . . . Friday, Feb. 24, as local photographer Daryl-Ann Saunders unveiled “Pioneers Of Bushwick,” a look at longtime neighborhood residents. I want it to be a really interesting cross-section of Bushwick,” she told the Times Newsweekly." 

2nd Opening Reception | feeling like "Queen For A Day"!

One exhibit. Two receptions. Nutty, right?

The first opening reception for Pioneers of Bushwick: We Call It Home was on Feb. 23rd and was highly exclusive (dawling) for Center members, etc. only. The second reception took place the following evening and was joyously open to the riff-raff public. Yes, skies were stormy but the Sangria and snacks were in abundance and very much enjoyed by everyone.

The Director of Diana Jones Senior Center, Narcisa Ruiz, introduced me to the clamoring audience. Ok, ok . . . semi-clamoring. :-) I described the perseverance of residents that lived through Bushwick's ups-and-downs since the 1970s. I felt tremendous pride introducing the Pioneers to give their own perspective. To wrap up the talking, representatives from the Brooklyn Arts Council and the NY Department of Cultural Affairs enthusiastically spoke about their programs and support for creativity in the urban landscape.

(l to r) Sandra Christian, Narcisa Ruiz             Photo by Marilyn Stern

I was very pleasantly surprised to be presented with a beautiful wood plaque by the center Director. In addition, several of the Pioneers presented me with flowers and, well, I felt a little choked up with emotion. There I was with flowers in one arm, plaque in the other  . . . it felt like Queen for a Day and the only thing missing was the crown! How am I supposed to maintain my NY crust if people are going to be all thoughtful and everything?? Sheesh. Anyway, it made me smile a lot and all evening.
 

(l to r) "Pioneers" Lucy Mendez, Angel Mendez, Blanca Irizarry, Aida Irizarry and Ana
Nieves look on while a plaque is presented by Narcisa Ruiz to Artist Daryl-Ann Saunders.

Photo by Giuseppe Bergami

Thanks go out again to all the Pioneers that attended, the representatives from Brooklyn Arts Council (Kathleen Christie) and the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (Kristin Sakoda, Danai Pointer and others), Ridgewood-Bushwick Senior Citizens Council and Diana Jones Center staff (Sandra Christian, Arlene Suero, LuLu). Your enthusiastic embrace of this project has meant the world to me. And thank you to my friends, "new friends" and colleagues for braving initial bad weather to share this with me. It was so great to see your smiling faces! (And special thanks to MS).

The exhibit is open to the general public through April 27th, M-F 8am-3pm at Diana Jones Senior Center, 9 Noll Street (corner of Bushwick Avenue) in Brooklyn, NY. It's super easy by subway - - the J/M/Z to Myrtle Avenue at Broadway and then a 5-minute walk. Links to additional info and directions are under "PAGES", the section at the top of the right menu. Please 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.

Exhibit postcard for POB exhibit

Press Release: Pioneers of Bushwick exhibit

Hello, I'm excited to share press release information below about my upcoming exhibit and opening reception. Please come on by February 24th from 5-7pm and say hello!!


PLEASE ~
Subscribe to this blog (see right menu)
RSVP to the reception on face book
"Like" the POB project page on face book
"Like" my photography page on face book

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Contact - Center: N. Ruiz, 718-782-3601 | Artist: D. Saunders, das@PioneersOfBushwick.com, 646-808-6035

“PIONEERS OF BUSHWICK: WE CALL IT HOME”

A photography exhibit by Daryl-Ann Saunders

Feb. 23^rd through April 27^th 2012, M-F 9am-3pm

PUBLIC RECEPTION: Friday, Feb. 24^th from 5-7pm

For general public (incl. seniors & families, Pioneers of Bushwick participants, city agencies, media)

PRIVATE RECEPTION: Thursday, Feb. 23^rd from 1-2:30pm (begins promptly at 1pm)

For seniors, Pioneers of Bushwick participants and city agencies only

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Pioneers of Bushwick: We Call It Home is an exhibit featuring photographic portraits of long-time Bushwick residents by Daryl-Ann Saunders, presented at the Diana H. Jones Senior Center, located at 9 Noll Street between Bushwick Avenue and Stanwix Street in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY 11206.

Through Space for Art, a city art residency program matching artists to city senior centers with workspace, Daryl-Ann Saunders created a small “pop-up” photo studio at the center. There she began creating studio portraits and collecting written text of Bushwick residents that have lived in the neighborhood since the 1970s and still live in Bushwick today.  Many center members are included in this collaborative effort. 

The Bushwick-based artist explains, “Bushwick’s most difficult decades of the 1970s and 80s were marked by arson, crime, drugs and gang activity. The Pioneers of Bushwick project commemorates residents that persevered, raised families and contributed to a rich historical tapestry throughout those times and up to its current resurgence. Their contributions will now be in evidence within Bushwick history. As this artwork is viewed by community residents of varied ages and cultures, it is hoped it will stimulate dialogue, not just about Bushwick and its history, but also about aging, self-worth, human value and experience.”

Ms. Saunders is a professional and fine art photographer. Her images have been published worldwide, is exhibited regularly and held in the collections of Pfizer, Inc., General Electric as well as other collections, public and private. For more information about the artist and her projects, visit: www.DASfineart.com and www.PioneersOfBushwick.com.

###

Project/ exhibit space, senior participation and staff support has been generously donated to the Pioneers of Bushwick project by Diana H. Jones Senior Center and their sponsor, RidgewoodBushwick Senior Citizens Council. The organization seeks to promote the well-being of community residents who are 60+ years of age through nutrition, recreation, social services and educational programs.

This exhibit is sponsored, in part, by the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, administered by the Brooklyn Arts Council, Inc.(BAC). The Space for Art program (now SPARC) was initiated by the Brooklyn Arts Council in partnership with New York City Department for the Aging and the Department of Cultural Affairs.                             

"Pioneers of Bushwick" in NY Post

Photo by Paul Martinka

My ongoing photography project, Pioneers of Bushwick, was featured in a NY Post article today.

I've been working on "POB" (Pioneers of Bushwick) for approximately a year as part of the NYC Space for Art program (now known as SPARC). I am creating portraits of long-time Bushwick residents at the Diana Jones Senior Center and will be pairing them with text they have written. These residents grew up and/or raised families in Bushwick during its most volatile decades. Their faces and stories create a rich, historical tapestry of an area in Brooklyn that is now experiencing new resurgence.

I'll be sending out periodic updates and/ or exhibition invites for the project. If you'd like to be on the mail list, please type your e-mail address in the "Follow By E-mail" field (to the right). Also click on the "like" button on the Pioneers of Bushwick Facebook page. Thank you!

The project continues so if you know anyone currently living in Bushwick since the 1970s, please put me in contact with them or have them reach me through this blog. (By the way, they don't have to be seniors).

Every article provides visibility and credibility for the project so I'm grateful. It really comes in handy when approaching residents to participate. Thank you to Diana Jones Senior Center, Narcisa Ruiz-Secchiano, Arlene Suero, Kathleen Christie, Kristin Sakoda and Danai Pointer for their project belief and to Jeremy Olshan and Paul Martinka for the write-up and photography.

(I see one typo in the article that I must comment on. Where it reads "old", I actually said "older". I would never refer to myself as old. ha! :-))

Photo studio at Diana Jones Senior Center in Bushwick, Brooklyn

Through a proposal to the Brooklyn Arts Council's Space for Art* program last year, I was selected for a visiting artist residency at the Diana Jones Senior Center in Bushwick, Brooklyn. The Center director, Narcisa Ruiz-Secchiano, generously contributed space there for me to work on "Pioneers of Bushwick" - a photography and text project honoring residents living in Bushwick from 1975 or before.

Here is a photo of the temporary studio setup - wonderful! So the project is up and running. If you are interested in participating or know any possible candidates (people OR businesses in Bushwick since 1975), I'd greatly appreciate hearing from you as soon as possible. E-mail me at das@PioneersOfBushwick.com. Thank you!

*Space for Art is a collaborative project initiated by the Brooklyn Arts Council in partnership with NYC's Department for the Aging (DFTA), Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA), representative agencies from each of the five boroughs and the Mayor's office. The program gives working artists studio space in senior centers throughout New York City in exchange for artist projects and activities that enrich the lives of seniors and community members.