Arts Gowanus is holding a public outdoor portraiture exhibition featuring works created by and depicting local Brooklyn residents. After over a year of struggles during COVID, this exhibition celebrates the resilience, strength, and diversity of our amazing Brooklyn community. This project is in collaboration with The Old Stone House & Washington Park and is part of the Arts Gowanus Gallery Dispersed initiative partially funded by the Brooklyn Arts Council.
We’re Still Here… will feature over 130 images of artwork from local Brooklyn artists printed on banners. They will be exhibited on the fence surrounding J.J. Byrne Playground from May 15th 2021 – June 25th, 2021. In addition to the outdoor show, this exhibition will also be available virtually with the original version of each work available for sale on the Arts Gowanus online Artsy gallery. The opening of this outdoor exhibition will be held on May 15th, 2021 in conjunction with an Arts Gowanus produced outdoor artist bazaar consisting of local artists vendors and community organizations with tables surrounding the park from 10am – 5pm.
“Arts Gowanus’ annual indoor arts events were cancelled due to the pandemic, so we shifted to outdoor events to ensure our community could find some sense of normalcy through the act of enjoying art together, even in a distanced way. With the partnership of The Old Stone House, we were able to plan this event which revolves around Brooklynites and the community that Arts Gowanus serves,” said Johnny Thornton, the Executive Director of Arts Gowanus. “It took some creativity to find a way to display artwork in an outdoor setting for a prolonged time, but we are thrilled with how it’s all come together. This show is not only an homage to our community, but a testament to the healing and restorative power of art.”
“The Old Stone House & Washington Park is grateful that the park and the gardens have been be a place of respite during the past year,” said Kim Maier, Executive Director of The Old Stone House & Washington Park. “We are joyful that we can honor the resilience of our community with our colleagues at Arts Gowanus.”
EXHIBITION DATES:
May 15th – June 25th, 2021
LOCATION:
Fence surrounding J.J. Byrne Playground, 5th Avenue between 3rd and 4th Streets
OPENING DAY ARTIST BAZAAR AND CONCERT
The opening of this outdoor exhibition will be held on May 15th, 2021 in conjunction with an Arts Gowanus produced outdoor artist bazaar consisting of local artists vendors and community organizations tables surrounding the park.
In addition to all the art festivities, there will also be a music by Brooklyn conservatory of Music as part of their 2021 Spring Benefit. The music will take place on the back patio of the Old Stone House along with several other venues around Brooklyn. On May 15, BKCM’s 2021 Spring Benefit will transform the stoops and outdoor spaces of Park Slope into a spring music festival. Enjoy performances from musicians across a variety of genres. More at bkcm.org/SpringBenefit21.
Arts Gowanus
540 President Street
Brooklyn, New York 11215
Website: https://www.artsgowanus.org/
