ArtBridge Exhibition Celebrates Public Art at NYCHA Developments
On July 8, a new art exhibition, “Present Power / Future Hopes,” brought outdoor art indoors to showcase the work of 59 New York-based artists who created 25,000 square feet of art to help beautify and bring public art to 17 NYCHA developments across the city.
The exhibition is produced by ArtBridge as a culmination of its Bridging the Divide program, a fellowship in which local artists design temporary public artworks that reflect the lives, histories, and aspirations of NYCHA residents. The artists created over 50 new, site-specific artwork that was affixed to construction fencing and sidewalk sheds at each location, as made possible through the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs’ City Canvas pilot initiative. As part of the fellowship, the artists held hundreds of art workshops and community events with NYCHA residents. (See past NYCHA Journal stories on Bridging the Divide here.)
The exhibition is at The Clemente Soto Velez Cultural & Educational Center on the Lower East Side, and the opening was celebrated by ArtBridge, the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, the Mayor’s Office, NYCHA, and the artists.
“The Present Power / Future Hopes group exhibition illustrates the dazzling array of artistic talent found among our public housing residents while activating dozens of NYCHA campuses in the process,” said NYCHA Chief of Staff Joey Koch. “This ambitious public art project would not be possible without the institutional support and artistic guidance provided by ArtBridge, the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, and the Mayor’s Office — who share our commitment to empowering the voices of our residents through creative self-expression.”
The exhibition includes original artwork directly related to the final vinyl designs, digital and print reproductions of the public artwork, and photographs of the site-specific installations and artist-led workshops at each NYCHA development to showcase the process of creating community-rooted public art.
NYCHA developments involved in the program are Baruch, Polo Grounds, Taft, and Lillian Wald in Manhattan; Brownsville, Howard, Ingersoll, Red Hook East, and Red Hook West in Brooklyn; Adams and Mitchel in the Bronx; Astoria, Pomonok, and Woodside in Queens; and South Beach and Todt Hill on Staten Island.
“One of the most important elements in any successful public art program is community engagement,” said Jon Souza, Program Director of ArtBridge. “The greatest impact comes from the program’s ability to connect with local partners and ensure their voices are heard. This is why our partnership with NYCHA was so crucial to our program – working in collaboration, we were able to better connect with public housing residents and community members, using art to learn about their cultures, histories, struggles, joys, talents, and more. Moving forward, our program will continue to hold the space to amplify these voices through creativity and collaboration.”
Many of the participating artists have direct relationships with NYCHA, including Amari Hines, a former West Brighton Houses resident; Chey Nelson, a current resident of Woodside Houses; and Shanice Figeroux, a former Pomonok Houses resident.
Amari Hines
Art installed at Todt Hill, Staten Island
Former West Brighton Houses resident
I cried when I first saw my work on the scaffold. They let us know the day that they were installing, and I sat in the car and watched them. I started bawling because I was excited and overwhelmed. We’re planning on a day for me and my siblings and parents to see it. I’m excited to see everyone’s reaction.
It really means a lot to me to have my art be part of this project. This is something I’ve wanted ever since I was younger, for my work to be on display for all to see. I’m extremely proud of myself. I remember living at West Brighton as a young child; both of my parents grew up there and a lot of my family still lives there. What I remember most is family and community – even people who weren’t blood related were family. Me and my sister could go down to the park and there were always people who would look out for us.
And with the grant, they allowed us to do workshops within the community. It gave me a chance to connect with the people who lived in Todt Hill. I did three workshops, and my first workshop focused on mental health and self-care and the following were more art-based where we painted and talked.
Shanice Figueroux
Art installed at Pomonok Houses
Former Pomonok Houses resident
This is one of the best things that’s ever happened to me. ArtBridge exposed me as an artist to the community. ArtBridge allowed so many different people to work with me. I’ve been honored to share my work with everyone – everyone is welcome, every race, age, shape, size and size when it comes to art therapy. They’re bringing access to the arts and materials to people that are overlooked and underserved. ArtBridge helped manifest my future ahead of me; this initiative really instilled this sense of community in me.
I have an undeniable faith, strong faith, that my art isn’t just meant for me. It was meant to inspire other people. In my community workshops, we decorated face masks and painted canvases with abstract images for the October festivals, adults and kids were able to participate. The fact that you can be anyone you want to be with the mask, we wear our hearts on our sleeves and emotions on our faces so it’s the same thing with art: you can do whatever you want to do and it’s perfect. People were so pleased with the art they created during our art therapy community workshops. I ended up carrying out more workshops than originally planned and was offered a part-time job teaching art to students and seniors by the Pomonok Community Center.
It means so much to me, growing up in South Jamaica, Queens, to have my work displayed. My Grandma Beulha is so proud of me. I’m a social activist for change by using the power of visual communication, providing art therapy, and doing peace murals. I want the community to grow and keep manifesting beauty, keep working, being healthy, and happy.
Chey Nelson
Art installed at Woodside Houses
Current Woodside Houses resident
I was at my dead-end security job when I saw ArtBridge’s post about an open call on Instagram. I submitted on a whim and didn’t think I would be accepted. I quit my job, and this helped me do my art full time. I also work as a tattoo artist.
When I first saw my work on the scaffold, I was so taken aback. I made this with my hands. A couple of years ago I never thought I’d be in this position and have my own work up, and it makes me want to do more. It made me want to create more things. It feels great and it makes me feel like there’s so much more for me in the world later on in life. I’m excited for what’s to come.
I’ve lived at Woodside for over a year and as part of the project, me and my partner Vanessa went to the Woodside Senior Center and showed some of the seniors different techniques for acrylic paints. It was really nice to see the perspective of the older Woodside residents, because they are the ones who hold the community together.
Everyone deserves to have art in their community; if I can put my art out there for people to enjoy, that means a lot to me and I hope it means a lot to them.
