We're happy to report that Rockaway Artists Alliance is experiencing a renaissance and a lot of valuable, interesting, sustainable, community-responsive programming has been offered in 2024.

 

In 2024, RAA exhibited "All Who Wander" (mid-May to mid-August) curated by Eto Otitigbe, Brooklyn College; "Beyond the Windowpane" (mid-Aug to early-Sept) curated by Nathan Catlin, with support from a NYFA Queens Art Fund Grant, featuring the work of Queens artists; and "Portal" (late-Sept through October) curated by 4heads, the NYC nonprofit arts organization known for their successful exhibits on Governors Island. Both "All Who Wander" and "Portal" had open calls for submissions from artists, and the former included the work of artists from Rockaway, Brooklyn and those who had exhibited with RAA in earlier years.

 

The printmaking studio has produced prints by Jeremy Grand and Stipan Tadić and in the coming months editions by several other artists are scheduled to run. Last fall, RAA hosted a Monoprint Marathon for anyone interested in printmaking and a stenciling workshop for children. We plan to offer more community programming in Spring 2025. In the near future, RAA will have applications for artists interested in working collaboratively with our team in the printshop. 

 

RAA offered arts education to youth and seniors over the past year as well. Instructor Joseph Perez's painting class for adults has been running smoothly and with a dedicated following since July 2023. The class runs every Wednesday from 10am - 1pm and from now until the spring is held in the Ryan Center at Floyd Bennett Field.

 

Extremely exciting news is that over 100 children participated in RAA’s new youth art programs - The Young Artists Studio and The Young Artists Workshop - during the summer of 2024. These weekend and week long programs provided instruction in a variety of mediums with diverse instructors and were met with great enthusiasm. 

 

This season, RAA hosted a pilot Artist in Residence program with three artists - Erica Mao - painter, Paula Lycan - photographer and Rosana Caban - sound artist. These accomplished individuals worked independently in their studios this summer and fall, and helped RAA to develop a reputable and sustainable program. In the future, artists will be selected for this competitive program by nomination and through an open call process. 

 

In the fall we reached the milestone of being able to hire Co-Executive Directors, Tracey McCormick and Judith Wanderer which will markedly increase our ability to communicate with interested community members, RAA members, other organizations, partners and funders. 

 

We could not have made these strides without support from The 7G Foundation, Jamaica Bay Rockaway Parks Conservancy, the Graybeards, and dedicated community partners and loyal RAA members.

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Christine Mullally
President