Why do all my best ideas come as I’m walking out the door? In the shower? Behind the wheel? In no position to get any tool to make notes, just that damn wish to record my thoughts ‘cause I’m never gonna remember this later.  Or how do I sit down to complete one single task and look up nine hours later trying to remember if I brushed my teeth, ate food, fed parents and kitties or if any of that still needs to happen?

There’s quite a bit of exciting that’s happened since the last newsletter, the one I was so certain would be monthly, but as always, a lot happens every day – so, please allow me to dive right in and get started before I forget what’s currently on mind.

Thank you once again for being a part of my art adventures! I’m always uplifted after artist meetings and show installations, inspired by all the works, and overjoyed by the gifts given and fresh plans for the rest of this year!  I’ll try to keep this short (but seriously doubt it hehehe!).

ONe Rad Latina and Kevin RWK’s show kicked off the year and was surprisingly well attended in spite of it being two tiny degrees here in NYC. Not complaining, I like winters to be freezing, but it was friggin’ cold and am being serious when I express gratitude to the dozen people who came out to Endless Life to hang with the artists, talk beer, talk art, doodle, drink, and dream up so many future possibilities  and exciting new collaborations.

Also in January, RAM Gallery at the Art Café hosted the closing reception for GONE. The theme for all these winter shows is apparently they were all ridiculously freezing and this particular night came complete with a snowstorm that left everything completely covered in white and buses running once every other hour. But the house herbal tea the Art Café brews kept me warm and in good spirits as we said farewell to the beautiful energy that came from the artists Duke Asidere, Tyler Pruyn, and Margaret Stolte during GONE.

February’s exhibit In The Details featuring artists Nelson Host Santiago, DUEL RIS, Jim Richards, Julie Cousens, and Tyler Pruyn almost didn’t happen thanks to another frigid night and covid season, but worked out fabulously. This was an easy exhibit to hang even though everything was so different because they all wound up connecting – one image seemed to lead to the next and it all landed seamlessly. Visitors dropped in throughout the day, but most folks left before six in the evening when it drops to subzero type weather and feel like we suddenly live on the dark side of the moon.

I was also invited back to RAM Gallery to guest curate Phantasm, a group show that featured Michael Cuomo, Diane Miller, and Jim Richards. When I talk about shows landing seamlessly, this was definitely another one of those shows that the art works all spoke to each other and everything naturally gravitated to where it ultimately stayed for the showcase. A wonderful writer named Isaac Fried jumped in and offered to start writing art blurbs for the shows. (I sing Holy Spirit Activate every time a wish comes true! Isaac's volunteer work is so incredibly helpful!)

Emily Garfield, Imaginary Cartography, premiered for the March art exhibit (still on view for a few more weeks, closing reception date coming soon!), a remarkable talent perfect for spring awakenings and creative clearings! Emily is an artistic explorer, taking in the world around her, committed to challenging herself to the limits, and vibrantly expressing what she sees using delicate watercolors and mixed materials. I’ve watched her grow from watercolor maps to incorporating textiles to her worldly visions and am excited to share she’s currently planning an outdoor installation project at Endless Life Brewing set to premiere sometime late spring/early summer.

In addition to all the exhibits, I’ve started to explore hosting participatory workshops and community activities – things like “Meet the Artist”, one-on-one artist studio visits, healing dancing parties (using movement to heal, a small creative piece of my intuitive life coaching program Braveheart Healing Arts), and “how to” type activities. The Drink and Draws at NS Beer in Bushwick has started to grow into this wonderful meetup for personal meditation and decompression, as well as offer folks a chance and choice to make new friends with the people (and puppies) they meet.

Emergence Arts has become way more than a fun community service or passion project, it’s growing into a beautiful resource and creative space that challenges and embraces any artist who has a message they want to share, a great place for artists who haven’t been given many opportunities to finally be empowered, supported, celebrated, showcased, valued, healed, and seen!

I’ve also successfully connected with the anti-violence self-defense non-profit organization CAENY who offers virtual and in-person self-defense and upstander trainings free to any resident of NYC. Do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have questions or interest in this resource, it’s priceless (especially if you do any type of life coaching).

I continue on my own personal healing journey to move out stress and anxiety with RebootNYC, the silent dance party that happens mostly weekly around the city. Three channels of music, tap into the one you vibe with, and you just dance. It’s a sober space, no nonsense, code of conduct is be cool or get booted. Just.Be. Present. And. Dance.

WHEW! I know, I know, I promised to make the effort to keep this short, but I guess I lied. (Is it really a lie, tho, if it was not intended…?)

Upcoming Events & EA News!

• We Do Dope $#!+!! is coming on board as a collaborator to bring you an all-women’s The Art of Dopeness showcase May 1st, featuring works by Dannie Pierce, Hannah Soule Powderly, Darcy Smyth, Kim Rosebud, Rochelle White, vedhead Photography and Sheila Provost.
   
• June 12th will be the return of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade in NYC. We plan on adding to the citywide celebrations and honor everything Boricua that day with an opening reception for ¡Isla Del Encanto!. Some of the artists set to appear are Faceless Female, Nathan Bunce, Frank Andres Gonzalez, Edward R. Coffey, vedhead Photography, ONe Rad Latina, and Rescue Poetix with more to come!
   
• July is for Black Creatives and honoring the beauty, history, and future of Black Lives Matter. If you’d like to get involved, I’m accepting submissions for so many things, including, but not limited to more visual artists, food popup vendor(s) and musicians/djs/performers.  Currently on the roster are Gothcore Photography and Edmond R. Wilson. Hoping this is another WDD$ collaboration!
   
• Starting last week of November: Small Works Art Market. You have small pieces to hang and sell for the holidays? Interested in setting up a small spot a couple of days throughout the holidays? Please don’t hesitate to contact me – it’s never too early to start planning!
   
• Two very enthusiastic and positive artists are about to take over hosting Drink & Draws (one in Brooklyn, one in Queens!) that will end with participants’ showcases at Endless Life’s Art Gallery.
   
• Seeking artists to discuss future Artsy opportunities with Emergence Arts. Also wanna launch Art Swaps. NFT Workshops. Paints & Puffs. More places to exhibit artists and introduce your business to new visitors.
   
• Seeking artists,musicians, djs, culinary artists, and venues all the time. You have an idea? You wanna collab? You have a space you want to do something with? Let’s discuss!