-
1960s Governors Island in the Snow, Painted by World War II Vet
The beauty of Governors Island lends itself to the visual arts. Of course, photography, but also painting and sculpture. One of the first occupants of the Island after it transitioned to a public park was the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, which provides free studio space to artists in Building 110. However, there was an artist painting at Fort Jay fifty years ago. For a period of about twenty years a World War II veteran had a small studio on the island that allowed him to work on oil paintings of island scenes, all with a U.S. Coast Guard theme. This was John D. Wisinski, and his art is now part…
-
Brooklyn ARTery Brings Local Artisans & Activities to Nolan Park
The arts are represented well on Governors Island, but one special place not to miss is the Brooklyn ARTery. This is where artists from around the world have handmade items on display and for sale, but also where free DIY classes and events are held for all. The group prides itself on having items from local artists and fair trade artisans worldwide. Brooklyn ARTery is in Building 10, an 1878 house built for an officer and his family, on the end of Nolan Park. It is open Saturdays and Sundays, 11 AM to 5 PM, but will stay until 6 if it’s busy. Their online calendar lists special events. We…
-
Better Than Jam Brings Unique Items to Pop-up Island Shop
Second in a series. One thing that Governors Island is not short on is creativity. For the past five summers, visitors could meet Karin Persan, who makes her own silkscreen and clothing for pop-up shops. She runs Better Than Jam, a Bushwick, Brooklyn, shop that specializes in unique items. Karin curates a group of fellow artists and designers who make handmade items that are for sale in her pop-up shop. For 2015 BTJ will be in Building 410, the former 1917 Officers’ Quarters, on Hay Road, South of Comfort Road. Karin was nice enough to tell us about what’s coming to the island this season. How would you describe the…
-
Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s Open Studios May 23-24
Building 110 Saturday-Sunday, May 23-24 12 PM to 5 PM The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council announced its opening weekend of activities. Visit with visual and performing artists and writers who have been working in the Arts Center at Governors Island since March. The weekend will feature behind-the-scenes access to 20 multidisciplinary artists’ studios. On Sunday, May 24 at 3pm there will be readings by writers-in-residence in a special portion of the event called, Open Texts. For more information, visit their site. Court/Garden Building 110 Sunday, May 24 3PM Court/Garden is a three-act dance performance that is inspired by the imperial ballets of Louis XIV’s French Court, the spectatorship of the…
-
First News of 2015 About Governors Island: new pavillions
I was happy to read about the new pavillions coming to the island for the 2015 season. The massive, eco-friendly canopies are the winners of FIGMENT art festival’s annual City of Dreams Pavilion Design Competition. The massive, eco-friendly canopies are the winners of FIGMENT art festival’s annual City of Dreams Pavilion Design Competition, the organization announced Tuesday. According to DNAinfo: It’s the first time the competition, in its fifth year, has picked two winners: a structure called the Billion Oyster Pavilion, constructed by New York designers from BanG Studio, and Organic Growth, a pavilion designed by Izaskun Chinchilla Architects from Madrid and London. It makes me want to get back onto the…
