Carlos Perez

Last Friday afternoon, after we went down to city hall and became official domestic partners,  Jon asked, “What do you want to do?” Given the wealth of options in North Brooklyn, this isn’t always easy to answer, but that day I knew after a celebratory brunch, we were going to check out art and meet some cool folks at the Northside Senior Center Art Show.

Artwork by Camilla Agosto

I was excited to see that the Northside Senior Center (179 N 6th St) is run by Catholic Charities, an old photography client of my Dad’s, whom I’d helped to shoot countless events around Brooklyn and Queens as a younger person. During those jobs, Rocco showed me his love for photographing people and I immediately felt connected to the place as we walked into the door.

Top Left Counter Clockwise: Laura Pupecki, Sophie Novack, Ada Kaftan, Carlos Perez, Eleanor Currin, Tina Eisenbeis, Camila Agosto, Elizabeth Donohoe

I didn’t attend the art show as a critic or collector, although I admit I begged Jon to buy me two lovely pieces. Instead I wanted to meet artists, whom I normally wouldn’t see out at a Williamsburg Second Fridays, who are doing something that makes them happy for the sake of doing it, an important things to see in a town with a competitive art scene.

When we walked into the recreation area, we got a warm welcome from the artists and met the art teacher Tina Eisenbeis, who works with the seniors a few times per month. The artwork sold at the show goes toward funding continued art programming at the Senior Center.

Artist Eleanor Currin

The landscape paintings by Eleanor Currin, who is represented by an out of state gallery, gorgeously depicted familiar scenes from Greenpoint.

Artwork by Carlos Perez

We bought a piece from Carlos Perez, who explained that when he paints he doesn’t think, the paintings just comes to him. His teacher said that he will “paint on anything,” and we received a bonus owl painting on the back of the abstract painting we took home.

Artist Camilla Agosto

The second piece we bought, a miniature from Camila Agosto, was a very simple and serene still life, that showed a tiny piece of cheese I wanted to pluck off the canvas and set into a dollhouse.

We couldn’t have been more excited and happy as we left the art show. Connecting with artists, especially those not on our usual circuit, was really inspiring. They were doing what they love and gave me the opportunity to do what I love, which is to photograph beautiful people.

Join the Conversation

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  1. Congrats,both on becoming domestic partners and also on adding such charming pieces to your art collection. Refreshing story. I love the people connection: Dad, Jon, the seniors.

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