Our favorite night of art, drinks, and revelry in Bushwick is back, and it’s back with a vengeance! Next Friday, February 28, marks the return of Jason Andrew and Norte Maar’s Beat Nite. This time around, artist and Pocket Utopia director Austin Thomas has curated the crawl to include ten choice galleries “that ensures viewers a chance to experience the buzz of creativity and the aura of being at the vanguard of contemporary production.”
As more and more galleries and artist-run cooperatives are proliferating in and around Bushwick, it is becoming more and more crucial to recognize the diversity and talent that exists here. Since its debut in February 2009, Beat Nite has always been about “bringing exposure and awareness to the neighborhood and [to] promote the art scene” Jason told me in an interview last week. It isn’t about seeing every gallery (which these days would be impossible!) but grasping a good overview of the neighborhood that truly recognizes the creativity, not to mention the vast cross section of mediums, styles and influences.
The galleries that Austin selected for this edition of Beat Nite include some stalwart Bushwick galleries like Norte Maar (the crawl’s “hub”), Centotto, Parallel Art Space, and English Kills, while always recognizes some spaces that are either newer or at least new to Beat Nite. Jason explained that while galleries like Centotto and English Kills have been part of Beat Nite since the beginning, others like Orgy Park and Studio 10 are newcomers to the crawl. “Each space has a different way of operating,” says Jason, which gives a little something for everyone.
Jason is especially thrilled to have this edition curated by Austin, explaining that “[she] was my introduction to Bushwick. It’s great to have her come back.” These days you can find Austin at her Lower East Side gallery, Pocket Utopia, which often features a number of Bushwick-based artists. Fittingly, the art crawl’s after party will be held at The Narrows, the first location of Pocket Utopia in Bushwick.
“Basically, it’s a big love fest,” Jason concluded about the event. Summing it up perfectly, this February’s Beat Nite is about the celebration of this neighborhood and the artists and galleries that make it special for us all. Come share the love next Friday!
For more information and a full line-up and downloadable map, visit Norte Maar’s website!