Opening Reception: Thursday March 19, 2020, 6PM – 9PM
Show dates: March 19 – April 19, 2020

Westbeth Gallery
55 Bethune St
b/w Washington and West Sts.
NY NY 100214

Gallery hours: Wednesday – Sunday 1PM – 6PM

A group of eight artists, with disparate skills and visions, who distill and interpret the world we are living in.

With painting, sculpture, installation, photography and hybrids of such mediums, our group present a varied take on documenting our times.

Each artist has presented work with their interpretation of what “Sign Of The Times” means to them.

Illtyd Barrett – Sculpture
For Sign of The Times Barrett will explore the phenomena of the rise of populism and
consumerism which has led to a climate of anti-intellectualism and religious fundamentalism. Using hand-made pigments and substrates, Barrett proposes to exhibit both sculpture and 2D elements reflecting the above concerns.

Christina Duarte – Painter
Now is the time to recognize that society requires women to behave in a particular way that often hides their true selves. My pieces are a diptych dialogue about women showing two sides of their personalities as a narration of rising against prejudice, sexism and the stigma of personal struggle.

Elizabeth Gregory-Gruen – Visual Artist
I search to understand the chaotic jolts of real life experiences that break our humanity. Using random 12-gauge shotgun blasts to lacerate the perceived “perfection” of my work produces a disruptive visceral reaction to the current environment allowing emotions to resonate.

Steve Joester – Photographer
‘The number of wild animals living on earth is set to fall by two thirds by 2020, according to a new report. The analysis, the most comprehensive to date, indicates that animal populations plummeted by 58% between 1970 and 2012, with losses on track to reach 67% by 2020. Researchers from the WWF and the Zoological Society of London compiled the report.’

Stephen Hall – Painter
I feel as an artist living right now, the compulsion to document the precarious place our planet is in, is paramount. While calling out the erosion of our ecosystems and perhaps political actions, I also try to create beauty to remind us of what we are at risk of losing.

Martin Mahoney – Photographer
Always had a keen interest in photography which has intensified recently due to the alarming acceleration in the gentrification of his beloved East Village , attempting to capture what’s left of the old neighborhood and its denizens, which are being replaced by glass boxes, banks and bubble tea joints.

Rob Plater – Painter
As an American, I’ve struggled to both understand and cope with the various stigmas and stereotypes used as tools for social engineering. My paintings function as a satire and a direct statement about that struggle to blend in as opposed to being perceived as the “OTHER”, through the use of masks. Do the masks properly serve to hide our deeply imbedded insecurities? Or do they further push the narratives about us that we so desperately want to bury away from modern society?

Robert Ross – Sculpture
STOP, DANGER, HAZARDOUS MATERIAL, KEEP TO THE RIGHT, TRESPASSERS WILL BE PROSECUTED, CAUTION, DEAD END AHEAD

Curated by Karen Wilkin

Westbeth Gallery, 55 Bethune St, New York, NY 10014
April 25 – May 10, 2020
Opening Reception: April, 25, 3 – 6 pm

Light of Day: The Language of Landscape is an exhibition of twelve contemporary artists exploring the possibilities of landscape painting today.

The show includes Lois Dodd, Albert Kresch, Stanley Lewis, Temma Bell, William Christine, Diane Drescher, Howard Gladstone, John Goodrich, Elizabeth Higgins, Elizabeth O’Reilly, Tony Serio and Kamilla Talbot.

Ms. Wilkin will present a talk, “What Meets the Eye,” at the gallery at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, April 29.

Curated by the distinguished writer and curator Karen Wilkin, Light of Day originated in brainstorming sessions amongst several NYC-based painters in 2017. The group soon expanded to include such renowned artists as Lois Dodd, Albert Kresch and Stanley Lewis. Light of Day artists include Temma Bell, William Christine, Diane Drescher, Howard Gladstone, John Goodrich, Elizabeth Higgins, Elizabeth O’Reilly, Tony Serio and Kamilla Talbot.

The long, rich history of western landscape painting is graced by the extraordinary works by such artists as Claude Lorrain, Camille Corot, Paul Cézanne and Edward Hopper. These masters reveled in the light and spaces of the natural world.

We inhabit a different era today, in which the aspiring painter may question not simply representational painting but the very value of earnest expression itself.

While cognizant of postmodernist thinking, the artists in Light of Day seek to re-engage our visual environment. They hope to embrace the contradictory forces that have historically animated painting up through the modernist era: the vital gestures of the observed world, and the innate energies of lines on a surface and colors on a palette.

The twelve artists have divergent backgrounds and pursue various styles, from brushy expressionism to resolute, geometric realism. But they share the goal of confirming how, even in the twenty-first century, landscape painting remains vital, just as long as land can be made to press against sky—and trees to rise, and clouds to loom—with a power and eloquence unique to painting. The challenges daunt, but the love of nature compels and traditions of painting inspire.

The opening reception will be 3-6 pm on Saturday, April 25.
The show will be open for preview on April 24.
There will be a closing reception 3-6 pm, on Saturday May 9.

A full-color catalog with essay by Karen Wilkin accompanies the exhibition.

Gallery hours are 1-6pm, Wednesday through Sunday.

For more information, please visit light-of-day.com or contact Diane Drescher at (917) 660-0684 or dresch900@gmail.com

New York-based independent curator and art critic Karen Wilkin is the Contributing Editor for Art for The Hudson Review and a regular contributor to The New Criterion, Art in America and The Wall Street Journal.

Sheila Schwid has been a painter and printmaker for over 50 years. She has had numerous group and solo exhibits of her work, is currently at Carter Burden Gallery, and is represented in many private collections. She was a pioneer in many Women select Women artist shows in the 1970’s, was part of the 10th Street artist enclave, and has devoted her life to her work.

Westbeth Icons is a project that celebrates the life and work of senior Westbeth artists who continue to work passionately in their artistic field. It is produced by the Westbeth Artists Residents Council.

The Icon evening features a filmed interview produced and directed by Ted Timreck with Terry Stoller, interviewer, as well as tributes by colleagues of the artist and words by the honoree. A special Icon gift is presented to the artist at the close of the evening.

The evening is free, open to the public, and refreshments are served.

When: Thursday Feb 20, 2020, at 7PM

Where: Westbeth Community Room
155 Bank St
in the West Village
enter through courtyard

When: Thursday Feb 27, 2020 at 7PM
Where: Westbeth Community Room. 155 Bank St b/w West and Washington Sts, enter through courtyard

Westbeth Movie Night is a free open-to-the public monthly series of screenings of curated films

Finding Vivian Maier is a 2013 American documentary film about the photographer Vivian Maier, who working most of her life as a nanny and housekeeper, took over 100,000 photographs secretly and hid them in lockers until they were discovered decades later. She is now considered one of the greatest 20th century American photographers.

The film documents how Maloof, the film’s co- director, discovered her work in a box of photo negatives at a 2007 Chicago auction, then scanned the images and put them on the Internet, which inspired a Kickstarter campaign to produce a film of her work,

Upon release, the film received critical acclaim and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature at the 87th Academy Awards.

When: Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at 7PM
Where: Westbeth Community Room 155 Bank St b/w West and Washington Its, enter through courtyard

Join us for an incredible literary evening with established Westbeth authors reading from their works in progress. Hear where their thoughts are leading!

Anna Shapiro is reading from her novel Family Stories—a child’s abandonment in Hungary at the turn of the century leads to three generations of daughters struggling with their mothers and motherhood in America.

Anna Shapiro is the author of three novels and a collection of essays.

Jack Dowling is reading from his novel The Holly Blue.

Jack Dowling is a painter, printmaker, curator, and writer.

Terence Burk is reading from his novel Cast Iron Kate—a woman born in 1885 decides to tell her story in 1955. A story of young love, countless tragedies, then years of silence. As I say in the novel: “When stories are resurrected from the deep, rich soil, the land grows silent, and trees bend waiting for their return.”

Terence Burk—Actor, Playwright, Novelist. From Broadway to Universal Contract Player, TV and film. Studied with the great Uta Hagen. Early Judson Poets Theatre member. Westbeth resident since 1979.

Kate Walter is reading from her novel in progress, The Guest Checked Out Early,
a queer murder mystery that takes place in the 1980s at a funky LGBTQ resort in the
Sullivan County, Catskills.

Kate Walter is a freelance writer whose articles, essays, opinion pieces have appeared in
many places. She is the author of the memoir Looking for a Kiss: a Chronicle of Downtown Heartbreak and Healing, published by Heliotrope Books. She teaches Personal Essay Writing at NYU/SPS.

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When: March 13, 2020 at 7PM Free

Where: Westbeth Community Space
155 Bank St. NY NY

From a very early age, women are made to believe that our relevance has an expiration date. Showing us the power of resilience, defiance and the wisdom of experience, The Beyond Sixty Project will challenge the way we think and the value of our own stories.

Among the inspirational stories revealed in this award-winning documentary by Melissa Davey. voice of Siri, the Madame CJ Walker biogrqpher, and the sculptor of Lada Gaga’s famed perfume carriage.

Q and A with the director and selected cast immediately after the screening.

This is a free event with limited seating.

When: Sundays, February 16 & 23,
at 11 AM & 2 PM

Where:Westbeth Community Room. 155 Bank St b/w West and Washington Sts. enter through courtyard

The BREMENTOWN MUSICIANS
Classic Tales and Fables. Lots of fun for the very young. With Little Red Riding Hood, and more. This is a simple and intimate introduction to the theatre for children. With lots of participation, fun, and games, and Mother Goose Rhymes. A hit for generations. With Jack, the Pied Piper and that silly little dog Toby. After the show, everyone makes a puppet to take home. Celebrating over 40 years in the Village.

Tickets on sale at pennypuppets.org and Eventbrite
or CASH ONLY at the door starting 20 minutes before the show
Tickets are $10 for all ages
Show Times: 11 AM & 2 PM
All Ages – Great for 2 to 8
Stroller Parking
Shows Run about 45 Minutes, workshop follows
Information: (212) 924-0525

http://www.pennypuppets.org

BUS AND SUBWAY: M14A, M11, M20, (2 blocks)
A, C, E, L, 1, 2, 3 (5 or 6 blocks)

Dates: January 11 – January 23, 2020
Opening: January 16, 6 PM, 2020 RSVP
Critical Theory Retrospective: January 12th, 2-5 PM, 2020 RSVP

Location: Westbeth Gallery, 55 Bethune St, between West and Washington Its. Enter at silver ramp.

Free and open to the public during select days and hours

The exhibition, created with volunteer efforts, will feature projects by our teachers and alums. Public programs to be announced. Mark your calendar!

The School for Poetic Computation is an artist-run school in New York that was founded in 2013. A small group of students and faculty work closely to explore the intersections of code, design, hardware and theory — focusing especially on artistic intervention. It’s a hybrid of a school, residency and research group.

Our motto is: more poetry, less demo.

Public programs, open hours and artist line up will be announced in early January 2020.

Co-organizers: Lauren Gardner, Tega Brain, Taeyoon Choi, Brian Solon and more
Co-curators: Nabil Hassein, Tiri Kananuruk, Sebastian Morales, Zach Lieberman, Zainab Aliyu, Dan Gorelick and more
Contributors: Nitcha Tothong, Kate Chanban, Roy Macdonlad, Alex Miller and more
Artists: To be announced

Location:
The School for Poetic Computation is located at 155 Bank Street, in the courtyard of the Westbeth Artists’ Community in Manhattan’s West Village, New York City.

Contact Us
Feel free to contact for any questions info@sfpc.io

Image credits: Lynne Yun, Photo by Minu Han

A heartwarming, hilarious and consistently surprising reinvention of the New York romantic comedy, which opens the door to a world of vibrant characters not commonly seen on film.

Tribeca Award winner for Best US Narrative Feature (2018 94 minutes)

Westbeth Movie Night is a monthly series of curated films on unusual or forgotten masterpieces of cinema which is open to the public and free.

Date: Friday January 24 at 7pm

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

ALL CLASSES ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND WESTBETH RESIDENTS

WORK IT
Westbeth Community Room
Mondays 10AM – 11AM
FREE

Basic exercise training including low impact warm up, muscle building with or without weights, and stretch class.

Janet Panetta Roth, a Westbeth resident since 1988, has owned three dance, yoga, massage and bodywork studios from 1973-2010. She is experienced in classical and contemporary dance forms, aerobics and body work disciplines. She was awarded the prestigious Martha Hill Dance Fund Mid -Career Achievement Award. She has been in the NYT several times including a feature article by Claudia La Rocco, and was the first teacher to have an interview as part of the Oral History Project at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Jerome Robbins Dance Collection. She has taught internationally at Pina Bausch Tanztheater, and Anne Teresa DeKeermaeker’s school and company, as well as at local universities such as SUNY Purchase The New School, and Kingsboro Community College. It was at Kingboro in the 1980’s that she first offered adult exercise and stretch classes. She has a profound understanding of the aging physicality, its limits and its possibilities.

PILATES
Westbeth Community Room
Wednesdays 10AM – 11AM
$10 per class

Pilates is a series of controlled exercises that focus on the body’s core muscles: the abdominals, hips, and back muscles…those muscles that hold us upright, and keep us moving.

Marci Occhino, our Pilates instructor, studied Adult Fitness & Exercise Science at Montclair State University. She is certified in Pilates Mat, Yoga, and Barefoot Balance Classes. She has several years experience teaching at Crunch, New York Health and Racquet Club, and David Barton Gym. Marci believes that the strength, flexibility and muscle tone gained through her class is an excellent exercise choice for older adults to stay healthy.

You will need to bring a mat and optionally, a pilates ring.

YOGA
Westbeth Community Room
Fridays 10AM – 11AM
$10 per class

Series of yoga positions focusing on mind and body expansion.

Alicia Cruz, has been practicing yoga for 20 years, she was recently certified to teach by preeminent studio Laughing Lotus, an internationally renowned yoga studio regularly featured as one of NYC’s best. While specializing in Vinyasa Flow at NYSC and her private client sessions, Alicia is known to tailor her class to match the experience level of her students. She always infuses fun, heart, and balance into each of her classes.

You will need to bring a mat to class.

For more info on ALL classes:

Contact Janet Roth at
janettaone@gmail.com