Posted In anti-gun violence,
anti-violence,
Arts to End Violence,
community art,
community event,
Crown Heights,
Events,
families,
S.O.S.,
Safe and Healthy Community,
youth
On Thursday May 19 we celebrated our 6th annual Arts to End Violence Gallery Opening! Over 150 people gathered at Ron Taylor Gallery to view work created by youth and professional artists around themes of non-violence, community building, trauma, healing, and peace.
When they weren’t looking at the artwork, those in attendance could head next door to Greater Restoration Baptist Church to eat and debrief about the show. On the sidewalk outside the gallery there was live music provided by Pastor Ken’s Jazz Quartet, a Speak Your Peace crafts table, and a step and repeat with silly props!
After taking time to look at each of the 60+ pieces and read the artist statements, we encouraged everyone to answer the question “How does this art make you feel?” and write their reactions on post-its and stick them on the window. People wrote that they felt “engaged,” “hopeful,” “inspired,” “reflective,” “appreciative,” “thankful,” and more. Others wrote messages like: “I feel it helps the community come together,” “it makes me feel alive and makes life just a little better,” “it makes me want to end violence,” and “there is beauty in brokenness”. We hope that everyone who came to the opening left with a variety of thoughts and feelings about the show and renewed hope in the power of art to build community and take a stand against violence.
If you missed the opening and want to see the show, or if you came to the opening and want more time to engage with all of this amazing work, drop by our open gallery hours:
Wednesday, May 24 from 3 PM – 6 PM
Thursday, May 25 from 11 AM – 2 PM
Friday, May 26 from 11 AM – 2 PM
Tuesday, May 31 from 3 PM – 6 PM
Wednesday, June 1 from 3 PM – 6 PM
Thursday, June 2 from 11 AM – 2 PM
We hope to see you then! You can also find more pictures from the event in our facebook album.
The show is also a contest for all of the youth artist who submitted. Stay tuned! We will be announcing the judges’ picks on our blog June 3!
We want to extend a huge thank you for the youth art submissions from: Adama Porgo, Adia Amory-Powell, Akulina Kashchei, Angel Crespi, Angel Valerio, Arts and Letters Elementary School, Courtney Browne, Danní Hazell, Faith Chen, Fatoumata Diallo, Gianna Chiano, Jeewan Persaud, Jillian Mustillo, Joel Watson, Jose Jurado, Kaylin Li, Kings Countty Hospital Art Therapy Group, Kyle King, Lowell Lewis, Lower Manhattan Community Middle School, Lukau Lukelo, Lytele Jackson, Michelle Zhang, Migel Haynes, Monica Mones, Mosammat Jannat Begum, Mx. Enigma, Nabila Jahan, Rabia Khan, Ramatoulaye Bah, Sachie Hara, Tashia Bryant, Tori Watson, Tyrese Blackman, and Yvonna Squires.
Another huge thank you to our professional artists: Alicia Atterberry, Anna Beran, Antony Posada, Benjamin Cowan, Divine Williams, Evan Schwartz, Ivette Urena, Janet Griffith, Jenny Chan, Kadeem Phillip, Kevin Singletary, Marivel Mejia, Miguel Ayuso, Sharela Bonfield, Shayne Bovell, Vincent Salas, and Yasuyo Tanaka.
Thank you to our judges: Angela Mew, David Brand, Bryan Doerries, Lance Hunt, Sandeep Kandhari, Crystal Floyd, Rommell Washington, Zaheer Ali, Nantasha Williams, Nicole Kassell, Ashley Harris, Derick Scott, Bob Kaplan, Shalawn Langhorne, Victoria Renna, Tanya Dwyer, Terrell Tate, Richard Barrios, Arnequa Campbell, Shanduke McPhatter, Oma Holloway, Fawwaaz Schon, Eric Garvin, Jonathan Allen, Shaina Harrison, Robert Cornegy, and Stefani Zinerman.
Thank you to Trinity Church Wall Street for making this event possible.
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