By Katarina Hybenova
Mild hysteria is okay. A panic attack here and there is also fine. The fact that not everything is exactly the way you planned doesn’t matter in the end. As long as the air bubble in your level is strictly between two lines you are fine (and if it’s slightly off, you can always blame it on crooked Bushwick floors). The feelings of panic and chaos, and expectations belong to the Bushwick Open Studio experience; they make us feel the festival spirit. Once the art is hanging, the beer is cold in the fridge, the cards are printed, everything will be just fine…
After our selection of top 15 studios not to be missed off Morgan L train stop, we are moving to Jefferson!
#1 ALLTOGETHERNOW
Artist Julie Torres is not only known for her energetic abstract paintings, but also for organizing some of the most original art events in Bushwick and beyond. This year, Julie Torres invited to Bushwick 11 artists from across the country and abroad to participate in a collaborative show. In a very contemporary fashion, Julie met this group of abstract painters on the internet and through interaction on art blogs and social media. They have brought their own work, as well as they have collaborated on pieces with Bushwick artists. All this work will be exhibited at The Coin Locker on 234 Starr St. The show opens on Friday night!
#2 Bushwick Basel
Jules de Balincourt, an ultra-successful Bushwick artist of French origin is hosting the first art fair in Bushwick right there in his studio, aka Starr Space. He invited 11 Bushwick (and Ridgewood) galleries to participate, and it is looking pretty good. After the shout out from NY Times, we are sure that the crowds are on the way! The opening reception is on Saturday, 7-9pm.
#3 The Bushwack Series
Once on Starr St., take a peek at The Bushwick Starr. This iconic Bushwick black box theater will be hosting The Bushwack Series, an annual performance festival devoted to the development of new work within the neighborhood of Bushwick.
#4 Pioneers of Bushwick
At Diana H. Jones Senior Center you can experience a little different BOS… Bushwick photographer Daryl-Ann Saunders created a series of portraits of long time Bushwick residents aspiring to create another platform for discussion between “old” and “new” Bushwick.
#5 Amy Lincoln Studio
In the live and work space of Amy Lincoln and Kevin Curran on Wycoff Ave, you will see sculpture by Sarah Kohn and Kevin Curran, paintings by Caetlynn Booth and Amy Lincoln.
#6 Parallel Art Space
In the famous studio building at 1717 Troutman on the Bushwick/Ridgewood boarder, don’t miss the new and beautiful gallery, Parallel Art Space, committed “to showcase exceptional visual art.” Parallel will present Same Same But Different, a selection of works from artists Jay Gaskill, Fabian G. Tabibian and Amanda Valdez, who form the exhibition collective of the same name. The opening reception is on Friday, 6-9pm.
#7 Deborah Brown
Deborah Brown is widely known in Bushwick and beyond, mostly through her curatorial activities and community involvement, so it’s a little surprising that some Bushwickians don’t know her work. Deborah Brown is an exceptional painter whose solo show opens on Saturday from 7-10pm at the Active Space. Deborah’s pieces are inspired by industrial landscape of Bushwick and vary from very large to small paintings. Dystopian aesthetic meets beauty – this is a show you must see.
#8 Jen Hitchings Studio
While checking out Deborah Brown’s show, don’t miss Jen Hitchings’ studio on the same floor. This young ambitious artist and curator is certainly someone to watch out for!
#9 Theresa Daddezio Studio
Right next to Jen Jones is Theresa Daddezio. Her studio is filled with gentle colorful abstract oil paintings and is certainly worth a visit.
#10 Invisible Furnace
Also on the second floor at The Active Space is a show titled Invisible Furnace. Jason Mones, Jessica Sanders, and Ryan Estep will present interesting sculpture an 3D objects and painting.
#11 Norte Maar
It wouldn’t be a proper BOS without Norte Maar and their community involvement. Their traditional Saturday morning Maps n Mimosas provide for some of the best moments of the festival every year. Addionally, they will present a collage show of Oliver Ralli titled Welcome to Your New Statement. The show opens on Friday, 6-8pm.
#12 Pass Kontrol concert
After Oliver Ralli’s visual show at Norte Maar, get some of his music and then head to Tandem at 9pm on Friday for a concert by Bushwick cult band Pass Kontrol.
#13 BOS Official Launch Party
This year’s official BOS Launch Party is looking really sweet. In proper Bushwick style, it will be held in a warehouse at 44 Wilson. Bands + comedy promise good combination of Bushwickism. It’s on Friday!
#14 Video Womb
At Body Actualized Center they have have a collaboration between visual stimuli and the confines of being in utero going on…
#15 Meg Lipke Studio
Meg Lipke’s painting remind us of illustrations in old timey children’s books. They are gentle and dreamy. Go get lost in her world behind the Northeast Kingdom.