This weekend, Bushwick will be wrapping up the summer season by celebrating the community the best way it knows how- through art. The 13th annual Bushwick Open Studios (BOS) starts this Friday, September 20 and will run through Sunday, September 22. Hosted and organized by Arts in Bushwick, one of the neighborhood’s first art collectives, BOS weekend spotlights local artists and makers, giving them the chance to be seen by those outside of the community art scene.
Over the years, Arts in Bushwick has evolved into a collective that focuses on integrating the renowned art scene with the people of the neighborhood. “Bushwick isn’t just an arts community, it’s a community,” they told Bushwick Daily. “Our goal is to create visibility and provide opportunities for artists in the neighborhood without hierarchy.”
This year, Arts and Bushwick has developed an all inclusive map of studios, shops, and eateries that will be participating in BOS. A limited edition map and guide will be sold at select locations around the neighborhood. You can also download a PDF version here.
Since there are over 200 participants in this year’s BOS, we made a list of the artists and makers you don’t want to miss:
Unveiling of Arts in Bushwick Official Mural
Check out the official Arts in Bushwick mural at Broadway and Willoughby Avenue painted by Vince Ballentine in collaboration with Educated Little Monsters, a Bushwick-born youth visual and performance arts movement.
Tornadothings by Victoria Hurst
35 meadow St. #101, Brooklyn, 11206
“Our opening event will be on Saturday evening, September 21 and will be a solo exhibition of my latest painting series titled ‘AS ABOVE, SO BELOW.’ The series consists of oversized oil and wax paintings using light and the ‘impasto’ technique to build layers by adding depth and dimension. The exhibition is a reminder that ‘we are all one’ and you can’t have light without dark. My intention with this new series is to inspire viewers to step outside of oneself in order to reach higher levels of consciousness and awareness of nature and one’s role here on earth.”
199 Cook St., Brooklyn, 11206
“Eyebeam is a platform for artists to engage society’s relationship with technology. Eyebeam provides both space and support for a community of diverse, justice-driven artists. Our annual residency program, highly engaged community of alumni, advanced tools and resources, shows and events help our artists bring their work to life and out into the world. Eyebeam enables people to think creatively and critically about technology’s effect on society, with the mission of revealing new paths toward a more just future for all.”
Michael Alan, The Active Space
566 Johnson Avenue, studio #12 floor 3
Bushwick, NY 11237
“Michael Alan is participating in Bushwick Open Studios 2019. His studio is free and open to the public on Saturday and Sunday, September 21-22 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Over 300 drawings, paintings, prints, and sculptures are on display, along with a video installation.”
1089 Broadway, Brooklyn, 11221 (mobile gallery installed at corner of Broadway and Dodworth St.)
“The Broadway and Dodworth Museum of Photo History”: Four photographers who have been making still and moving pictures in Bushwick since the 1980s will install the work in a mobile museum on The Block where many of the images were made. The museum invites everyone to add to its permanent collection by bringing their own Bushwick images or ephemera to scan.www.therawfile.org
MOLDNSHIT; NEW WORKS by Julian
256 Jefferson St. Basement, Brooklyn, 11237
“I have focused on a variety of themes and mediums, but am most transfixed with ageing, time, and decay. One way I am able to explore this little obsession is through experiments with rotten produce and incorporating their residue in multimedia works. I enjoy making something ugly and then trying to make it attractive again.”
BUSHWICK ABBEY +IGLESIA DE LA SANTA CRUZ
176 Nicholas St., Brooklyn, 11237
“This is an event for local artists that have no ‘formal’ gallery or studio space. We want to have a space to display all of our ‘neighbor’s’ art and bring it back to our community.”
49 Wyckoff Ave,Brooklyn, 11385
“Interactive and Live Art Show right at the Jefferson L stop! Join us for our third year with a double whammy event for Bushwick Open Studios. This year we will be featuring almost 100 local artists and designers with wall displays, table setups, interactive media rooms, VR exhibits, and more.”
HOUSE OF YES Block Party
408 Jefferson St.,Brooklyn, 11237
House of Yes is a creative collective and venue in Bushwick, Brooklyn dedicated to entertainment, expression, and celebration that fuses nightlife, performance, culture, technology and community.
The House of Yes Block Party returns for Bushwick Open Studios on Sunday, September 22. Featuring Bushwick-local artists (live painting as well as exhibiting), eco-friendly vendors, yoga, interactive activities, music, and dancing. All ages are welcome and the event is family-friendly. 12PM – 6PM.
Arts in Bushwick will also be holding an opening and a closing event to ring in the weekend. The opening party, “Seeking Spaces,” will be held at the collective’s space and will be open throughout the weekend.
“Seeking Spaces gives artists who don’t necessarily have the space or money for a studio a chance to show their work,” Arts in Bushwick told Bushwick Daily. Over 160 artists from the community will be displaying their work in the collective’s gallery. There will also be live music and an interactive graffiti wall for visitors to participate in.
On Sunday, there will be a closing party at Elsewhere for both artists and visitors to come together and celebrate the abundance of talent running through the neighborhood. Local musicians, Monsters Of Brooklyn, Reck Millz, ThatBoyExx, Pancho, and Unique will be performing throughout the night until 12 a.m.
To stay up to date, follow Arts in Bushwick on Instagram.
Cover photo by Eva Mueller via Arts in Bushwick.
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