Local hair stylist, Elma Siljkovic, pulls the artwork off of the wall that she won at the event. “Everyone gets to get together and show a part of themselves,” she said. Photo: Levi Sharpe
Neighborhood gem Greenpoint Heights hosted its second Art Show Art Swap this Saturday. The seasonal show invites local artists to display their work and have it randomly exchanged raffle-style with other contributors. Anyone can attend and join in on the festivities, but to receive any art, you have to submit art yourself. There were 25 submissions in all types of mediums including drawing, painting, photography and printmaking.
Paige Young, 30, a bartender at Greenpoint Heights and organizer of the event, said that she initially created the show to give her and her artist friends an incentive to finish work. She also wanted to create a gallery space without the typical pretension associated with the art world. The only rule is to make something sincere and that you’re proud of, she said.
“I was trying to think of a way to have an art show and remove the ego of it,” said Young. “I think it’s really fun. Just let fate steer you to the piece that belongs in your house.”
Jason Roy, 29, a professional artist, said that he thought the random part of the art-exchange was one of the best parts of the event.
“I like how nobody gets to choose,” he said. “It’s like Secret Santa without the agenda.”
It also gave him motivation to finish work.
“We need more positive deadlines,” said Roy. “I’m constantly not finishing things. Thanks to this show I did.”
Even people who aren’t artists got inspired to submit.
“I never paint,” said Chuck Vandyck, 30, owner of Jimmy’s Diner in Greenpoint. “It takes me something like this to be visually creative.”
And those who just came to look at the art appreciated the low-key environment.
“It’s awesome to have an encouraging atmosphere,” said Evan Smith, 32, a writer and bartender. “And to have a range of artists from amateur to professional.”
Some even came all of the way across Brooklyn just to see the work.
“I think it’s a great idea,” said Rudi Munroe, 29, who lives on Staten Island. “I’m sad I didn’t know about it sooner. I might have tried to rustle something up.”
After you’ve demolished your donut and downed your beer, and the last of the art has been raffled away, you might just find yourself in the middle of a dance party.
“If the mood is right, we have a dance party,” said Young. “If it feels right. I don’t like to push it.”
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- Paige Young, 30, organizer of Art Show Art Swap begins to set up for the event. “This is such a creative neighborhood and I know so many people that come to the bar that make art,” she said. “I was very interested in seeing what they were going to bring.” Photo: Levi Sharpe
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- “It was a really supportive environment,” said Caitlin Royal, 25, who submitted her collage work to the show. “It was a nice opportunity to meet local artists and any excuse to finish work is really helpful.” Photo: Levi Sharpe
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- August Stadnik, 28, helps sets up the piece that she submitted. “It was really fun the last time,” said Stadnik. “It was like winning the lottery.” Photo: Levi Sharpe
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- Greenpoint Heights provides free beer and donuts to those who attend their Art Show Art Swap. Photo: Levi Sharpe
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- Local artist, Kristine Virsis, 33, submitted her art to the last Art Show Art Swap at Greenpoint Heights and came back for more. “I feel like the art here is better than a lot of art openings,” she said. Photo: Levi Sharpe
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- Even people who aren’t artists by trade were inspired to submit something to the show. “I never paint,” said Chuck Vandyck, 30, owner of Jimmy’s Diner in Greenpoint. “It takes me something like this to be visually creative.” Photo: Levi Sharpe
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- Artist and singer, Abby Rae, submitted a hairpiece that she made to be swapped at the show. “It’s a cool way to get people to express themselves and share,” she said. Photo: Levi Sharpe
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- Professional Artist Jason Roy (right), 29, said that he thought the random part of the art-exchange was one of the best parts of the event. “I like how nobody gets to choose,” he said. “It’s like Secret Santa without the agenda.” Photo: Levi Sharpe
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- Brian Schleyer, 27, (right) a gardener from Long Island said that he liked the low-key atmosphere of the show. “It’s a cool, mellow way to go about art, which can be a tough thing to break into,” he said. Photo: Levi Sharpe
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- Each artist who submitted to Greenpoint Heights’ Art Show Art Swap plucks a flower with a number attched to it that corresponds to a piece of art that they get to take home. “I’m really excited to get something from here and that it’s a surprise,” said Elma Siljkovic (center), a local hair stylist. Photo: Levi Sharpe
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- Local Hair Stylist, Elma Siljkovic, pulls the artwork off of the wall that she won at the event. “Everyone gets to get together and show a part of themselves,” she said. Photo: Levi Sharpe
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- Colin Atrophy Hagendorf, 32, author of Slice Harvester: A Memoir in Pizza, shows a secret drawing underneath the flowers of the piece that he submitted to the show. “I just wanted to participate in something that isn’t about money making,” he said. “It’s just pals having fun in the back of some weird bar.” Photo: Levi Sharpe
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- Each artist who submitted to Greenpoint Heights’ Art Show Art Swap plucks a flower with a number attched to it that corresponds to a piece of art that they get to take home. Photo: Levi Sharpe
The next Art Show Art Swap will take place on June 20, starting at 6pm, at Greenpoint Heights; 278 Nassau Ave. (between Morgan Ave. and Hausman St.).
