Ars Gratia Communitas
Battery Park City’s Annual Art Exhibit
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The annual Spring Art Exhibit opening, reflects the community spirit where people of all ages are exposed and involved with Art in their daily lives.
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Battery Park City’s annual art exhibition opened on Sunday, January 26. A fraternity of artists and art lovers mingled and munched while admiring and discussing the paintings on the wall, created by participants of the Battery Park City Authority’s art programs.
Sophisticated and yet homey, the annual gathering reflects the l’esprit boheme du quartier, where people of all ages are engaged by and with art in their daily lives. As in years past, the work is of two groups of artists within the Battery Park City community: Art in the Park (for children) and art classes for adults.
Art in the Park has been part of Battery Park City life for more than 20 years. Twice a week, between May and October, art educators gather in local parks to guide children through discoveries to be found within their own imaginations and realized through painting, sculpture, printmaking, and building objects.
The other half of the artists are adults who attend free art classes conducted around Battery Park City, mainly on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Craig Hudon, Director of Parks Programing, and Doug Van Horn, Associate Director, spoke before the assembled crowd at the opening reception to thank the artists, the art educators, the models, and the parks staff who curated and produced the show.
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Art Specialists Sara Wolfe, Elise Engler, Larry Dobens with Doug Van Horn, Associate Director and Craig Hudon, Director of Parks Programing and Art Specialist Phil DeSantis
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In closing, Mr. Van Horn summed up by saying, “This really is a community of folks that are involved in the arts and care about the arts. We have people here today whose grandparent’s pieces are in the show. We have children whose pieces are in the show. I see people I’ve known for 20 years.”
Both he and Mr. Hudon emphasized the commitment by the Battery Park City Authority to support the community’s resilience and sustainability, which includes a strong commitment to the arts.
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The art will be on view at 75 Battery Place, weekdays, January 27 to March 27, 2PM to 4PM (no viewing on 2/17). People visiting should check in with our security desk on the ground floor, where they will be directed to the elevators to the 4th floor. The receptionist on the 4th floor will direct them to the show.
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