LIC LOVES YOU Welcome to the 2nd Annual LIC Arts Open! I am so happy to be writing this following an incredible inaugural festival last year. When the idea was first mooted that we would create a festival built around the Open Studios event someone said something like, “Yes, even though it might be small this first year it will be great.” I actually thought, “Hmm this thing could become a monster!” My prediction was correct, but what a beautiful monster; this beast was at times unruly, willful and always dramatic but gradually the constituent parts of the community coalesced into a Festival full of heart, talent and brimming with a great sense of community. Once more the roar from LIC will soon be echoing around our shiny new glass towers, our tree lined landmark streets and up and down the corridors of warehouse buildings now minted as art studios. Something amazing is happening in LIC and it’s obviously only the beginning changes of a profound sense of identity fostered by the massive influx of artists into the area. LIC Arts Open’s Patron Sculptor, Joel Shapiro, was one of these pioneers who decades ago, along with the esteemed Mark Di Suvero, built a studio where he is still making incredible art today. As manufacturing and industrial land fell into disuse through the changing nature of commerce, artists like Shapiro and Di Suvero colonized these former factories and warehouse. They were followed by countless others including Murakami who placed his Kaikai Kiki animation studio in LIC. After these early pioneers came a quiet artist ‘gold rush’. As the hordes of artists arrived and surveyed the once bleak LIC landscape, the cries of ‘Its perfect’ were heard by the old timers; residents, families and businesses that had continued to show love to this genuinely unique corner of Western Queens. Besides the artists and original residents, there were other smaller unique migrations; there seems to be a significant French and Italian flavor to some businesses and micro-neighborhoods. Since then people, businesses and artists have continued to flood the neighborhood in order to be part of an zeitgeist that fills us with hope, inspiration and a creative longing that will not be contained. The reward? Love LIC and it loves you back. I have had so much support in the creation of this year’s festival that it’s hard to know where to begin and I pray that ‘you’ are not left out but… here it goes!
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Thanks firstly to the artists, studios and makers that gave rise to the festival and the open studios event in the first place. I also need to recognize the huge contribution, succor and support from the residents, businesses, restaurants and civic leaders who never waiver when asked to dig deep. In particular I want to thank the amazing Steve and Nick at The Court Square Diner who are our platinum sponsors. This year I have been so moved and amazed at a small army of volunteers, interns and people who never asked, “What can you do for me?” but to paraphrase JFK, “What can we do for you?” Thanks all. Particular individuals whose contributions cannot be overstated include my fellow executive team members, Jeffrey Leder and Juvenal Reis. Besides contributing to this festival they are also pioneering through building galleries and artists studios. My co-founder, mosaicist and sculptor, Karen Dimit has worked tirelessly as our Arts Coordinator and has no off button when it comes to giving. A huge thank you to Senior Production Coordinator, Anna Grace Carter who helped me build a fantastic team. The amazing work for the second year of graphic designers Carlos Triminio and Matt Stefani on the brochure that currently rests your hands; thanks guys! Back for more punishment is the selfless Gail Samuelson and Brickhouse founder and Open Studios coordinator, Ellen Day. I have also had sterling support from Jean-Marie Guyaux, Ana Milosovic, Ralph Trionfo, Alexander Gray, Alex Carmine, Rob Bettaga, Peter Rosenthal, Orestes Gonzalez, Junenoire Mitchell, Larry Spahn, Rob Bettaga, Gianna Cerbone, Ana Milosovic, Bailey McCool, Patricia Dunphy and many more. The entire team and all of our supporters will never really know how much I value them but my sincere thanks to you all. We really couldn’t do it without you. Enjoy this year’s festival and help us spread the word about NYC’s fastest growing festival by checking in on Foursquare, by using hash tags like #licartsopen or #lic, tweet til you can’t tweet any more and keep hitting that like button on everyone’s work on Facebook. Lastly, thanks to you dear reader, enjoy some of the most inspiring, truthful art that NYC has to offer, look and listen to the incredible music, theatre and dance we offer to you and join us in loving LIC. We promise to love you back.
Richard Mazda