EXHIBITIONS / EVENTS

Two New Exhibitions:
Wine & Dine
A Color Mix of Quilts & Artwork
 
Both Exhibitions plus special events:
Saturday, April 18 – Sunday, May 17, 2009
Opening Reception:
Sunday, April 19
1 PM – 3 PM

"Being an artist is (like) being in a constant flux of ideas and decisions," says multi medium artisan Karen Monath, one of the many artists creating a swirl of color, sights and sounds in Wine & Dine and A Color Mix of Quilts & Artwork, the Rockaway Artists Alliance two newest exhibitions. Both open with a reception on Sunday April 19 from 1-3pm that will feature a fashion show, musical performances, refreshments and good company. Wine & Dine and A Color Mix of Quilts & Artwork will run from Saturday April 18 – Sunday May 17 in the T-6 and T-7 galleries respectively at Fort Tilden. Said a spokesman, "We are also very excited to feature some special events as part RAA's participation in New York's Immigrant Heritage Week."

Wine & Dine explores the art of food and drink in all their variations. Says artist Susan Decastro, "My goal is to create excitement for eye using vivid color to guide the viewer in and around the objects." Her oil paintings "Wine and Apples" and "Summer Fruit" as well as John Grillo's larger than life ‘Wall of Food' photo installation, photographer Stephanie Volovar Sautner's sumptuous "Peppers at Seattle Public Market" and Renee Radenberg's metal and glass constructed "5 Gallon Devil" sculpture all succeed in bringing their everyday subjects to vivid life.

Wine & Dine will host an exclusive preview of the exhibition on Friday April 17 at 8pm with a wine tasting and food pairing event. A five dollar donation invites gallery goers in to try different brands, regions and types of wines, expertly served, learn about the fine arts of food and wine and get a first look at some fine art, all within the intimate sTudio 6 gallery.

A Color Mix of Quilts and Artwork kicks off with a fashion show featuring the styles, textures and colorful creations of curator Ludmila Bokov. A multi-talented artist, Ms. Bokov has been involved in projects all over the world. Other exhibition works include Karen Monath's quilted "Lucky Lady Bugs," photographer Denis Mcrae's multi-layered "Sunset," "Alaska Memories" by quilter Maryann McEvoy and Douglas Bick's provocatively titled silkscreen "The Fiend Knows No Satisfaction."

The Rockaway Artists Alliance will also be participating in NYC's Immigrant Heritage Week. Sponsored by The Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs, this city-wide event celebrates the experience and contributions of New York's immigrants. As RAA president Geoff Rawling notes the organization represents artists who come from all parts of the world and who can trace their own heritage back in all directions. The popular Irish band Reda Shea will make an appearance at the dual exhibition opening. Also featured will be a Heritage Wall where, over a large hand drawn map of the world, visitors, artists and musicians can set down who they are, where they're from and the different countries their people hail from.

Says artist Douglas Bick "An open-ended book is a story with new true beginning or ending. The art of storytelling should not cease once the drafting of the imagery is complete." With Wine & Dine and A Color Mix of Quilts & Artwork the Rockaway Artists Alliance is inviting all to come down, enjoy the artworks and special events, add their own part to the telling of that story and enjoy.

For more information call (718) 474-0861, e-mail rockart116@aol.com

A meeting of the Rockaway Artists Alliance Writers Group will also take place on Sunday April 18 at 4pm in T-6.

Wine & Dine and A Color Mix of Quilts and Artwork also include Yuri Yurov, Michael Werner, Ludmila Vaynberg, Jessica Schulman, Frank Rispoli, Carol Rickey, Gabrielle Mangano, Larisa Levina, Igor Gushkin, Martha Killian, David Evans, Tom Burke, Penelope Atheras, Robert Bainbridge, Thomas Furano, Veronica Doherty, Melanie Diaz, Mary Meade, Marvin Schwartz, Carol Sullivan and Robert Bainbridge.

RAA works in partnership with the National Park Service at Gateway National Recreation Area and in part is supported by NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, JP Morgan Chase, The Independence Community Foundation and Brooklyn Brewery.

Fort Tilden, located in the Rockaways, is an historic and now decommissioned U.S. Army post. Today it is home to many cultural, community and sport activities and serves as a premier part of Gateway National Recreation Area, a unique urban national park that spans several boroughs and incorporates beaches, marshlands and bird and wildlife refuges. Winter and summer its beaches, fields and trails offer sanctuary to many a traveler.

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