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!

Exhibit Preparation at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Brooklyn

"Pioneers of Bushwick: Portraits of Dignity"
just before installation at
Wyckoff Heights Medical Center

The "Pioneers of Bushwick" exhibit at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center has been up for several weeks and is looking great. A big thank you to the hospital staff for facilitating the installation of prints and text panels. The hospital never closes -  - the public can stop by to view it through August 30th, 24/7 in the "main hallway" across from the entrance.

The Medical Center is located at the corner of Wyckoff Avenue and Stockholm Street in the Bushwick area of Brooklyn, right at the entrance to the L line /DeKalb station. (It's 20 minutes from Union Square in Manhattan).

NOTE: THIS EXHIBIT HAS BEEN HELD OVER THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2012
NOTE: THIS EXHIBIT HAS BEEN HELD OVER THROUGH NOVEMBER 30TH, 2012
NOTE: THIS EXHIBIT HAS BEEN HELD OVER THROUGH DECEMBER 30TH, 2012
NOTE: THIS EXHIBIT HAS BEEN HELD OVER THROUGH JANUARY 25TH, 2012

NOTE: THIS EXHIBIT HAS BEEN HELD OVER THROUGH MARCH 25TH, 2013!

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