Back for its sixth year and stronger than ever, Greenpoint Open Studios will bring the neighborhood an art-filled weekend this Saturday and Sunday (June 8th & 9th) with more than 350 local artists opening up their studios to the public — plus parties, special events, and some stellar artist-organized workshops. We will also, hopefully, be bringing the sunshine.
Free and open to the public all weekend, Greenpoint Open Studios will kick off with a Launch Party on Friday, June 7th from 7:30PM-12AM at Brooklyn Bazaar (150 Greenpoint Ave). Stop by for music, dancing, frozen cocktail specials, live painting, art installations, and video projections. Fun will be had, and the first 100 visitors will get a free swag bag of art supplies courtesy of Blick Art Materials.
On Saturday, June 8th and Sunday, June 9th (12-6PM), local artists will open their studios to the public, inviting all of us to engage with them, view their works, and ask questions. Below is a handy list of some very cool artist-organized workshops and happenings — don’t be shy, go visit!
Are you hosting an event or workshop for visitors this weekend? DM us details on IG (@GreenpointOpenStudios) and we’ll add you to the list!
-SATURDAY EVENTS-
Envisioning Ability with Dr. Catherine Ireland
Time: 10–11:30am, 12–1:30pm
Location: Near Nassau G Station (address provided once enrolled)
Class Size: 5 participants
Age: ~16+
Experience: no experience with art or meditation required
This 90-minute workshop encourages people to explore their abilities. A simple meditation technique is taught. Participants then paint the concept of “ability” with four different modifications, such as using dominant and non-dominant hands. Exercises like these have been shown to increase creativity.
The workshop ends with a meditation on the inspiration sparked by expressing “ability” in different ways. Participants take home four canvases, an acrylic paint set, a paintbrush, and a pair of vision simulator glasses. For more information, contact artist and facilitator Dr. Catherine Ireland at info (at) cirelandart.com.
Color Theory Through Screenprinting Workshop with Artist Kate McQuillen
Time: 2–3pm
Location: 71 Sutton St Garage
Tickets: $50
In this workshop, participants will learn about color theory through printing spectral gradients. After a brief demo, everyone will be able to create their own individual spectrums through choices of pre-mixed gradients. Each participant will leave with a few works on paper, each approximately 8” x 8.” Learn more about the artist Kate McQuillen by visiting her website or Instagram (@katemcquillen).
How to: Make an Abstract Painting with Artist Matthew Mahler
Time: 12pm-6pm
Location: 236 Greenpoint Ave, 4th floor
Artist Matthew Mahler’s personal work investigates abstraction as it relates to the painting process, and his most recent body of work is no different. “How to: Make an Abstract Painting” explores the accessibility of making an “abstract painting” in the age of smart-phones and user-compiled “Wiki” websites by loosely interpreting instructions sourced from the web.
This year, Mahler will host “How to: Make an Abstract Painting” in his studio. Visitors will be invited to contribute to and ultimately create an installation of abstract paintings by interpreting the same prompts/instructions as the artist.
Each visitor turned participant is invited to create one painting using materials provided using https://www.wikihow.com/Create-an-Abstract-Painting instructions as the jumping off point. Paintings must remain as part of the installation for the duration of the event and may be retrieved at a later date. This will be a first come, first served experience and willing participants should plan on committing approximately 45 minutes to the experience. For more information please contact the artist at MatthewJMahler (at) gmail.com.
Ceramic Tea Pot Workshop with Artist Min Choi
Time: 2pm-3:30pm
Location: Clay Space 1205 Brooklyn (1205 Manhattan Ave, Ste 2-4-1)
Tickets: FREE
Looking to up your tea pot game or stumped on how to make drip-free spouts? Seasoned functional potter and ceramic instructor Min Choi will be showcasing how she creates her tea pots from throwing to trimming to assembly.
Mollie’s Mysterious Monotype Machine
Time: 12pm-6pm
Location: 649 Metropolitan Ave, Apt 3
Tickets: Free!
It is a NEW portable, spinning, art making machine! No two creations can ever be the same! Debuting at Greenpoint Open Studios from Ad Tumulum Arts this weekend! Come by and make your own mystery monotype cigar box print! Think Willy Wonka but with inks and pigments and an 8 foot tall easel…homemade focaccia is a definite maybe…sadly, no chocolate river. For more information, DM @ad.tumulum on Instagram.
-SUNDAY EVENTS-
Color Theory Through Screenprinting Workshop with Artist Kate McQuillen
Time: 2–3pm
Location: 71 Sutton St Garage
Tickets: $50
In this workshop, participants will learn about color theory through printing spectral gradients. After a brief demo, everyone will be able to create their own individual spectrums through choices of pre-mixed gradients. Each participant will leave with a few works on paper, each approximately 8” x 8.” Learn more about the artist Kate McQuillen by visiting her website or Instagram (@katemcquillen).
Explore Greenpoint’s Wilderness with ESS Community Projects at Eckford Street Studio & Artist Martynka Wawrzyniak
Time: 2pm-5pm
Location: McGolrick Park (“Ziemia” meadow, Russell St b/w Nassau & Driggs)
Tickets: FREE
Join us for an afternoon of making art and celebrating nature! Artist Martynka Wawrzyniak is a Greenpoint-based, Polish-American mixed-media artist who works in photography, video, performance, sculpture, and installation. ESS Community Projects is a non-profit organization committed to bringing high quality art education to all members of the North Brooklyn community, regardless of income or experience.
Mollie’s Mysterious Monotype Machine
Time: 12pm-6pm
Location: 649 Metropolitan Ave, Apt 3
Tickets: Free!
It is a NEW portable, spinning, art making machine! No two creations can ever be the same! Debuting at Greenpoint Open Studios from Ad Tumulum Arts this weekend! Come by and make your own mystery monotype cigar box print! Think Willy Wonka but with inks and pigments and an 8 foot tall easel…homemade focaccia is a definite maybe…sadly, no chocolate river. For more information, DM @ad.tumulum on Instagram.
Daytime Art Party!
Time: 12pm-8pm
Location: 117 Dobbin St
Tickets: FREE
Join us all day at Cut Loose to celebrate Greenpoint Open Studios! Cocktails by Citroen Brooklyn and High West Whiskey, Clothing and Accessories by Funkanova and Farradas Knits, jewelry by We Who Prey, and hand-drawn portraits by Ohni Lisle. T-shirts and artwork by Elvis Barlow-Smith. Funky good tunes and killer vibes all day!
How to: Make an Abstract Painting with Artist Matthew Mahler
Time: 12pm-6pm
Location: 236 Greenpoint Ave, 4th floor
Artist Matthew Mahler’s personal work investigates abstraction as it relates to the painting process, and his most recent body of work is no different. “How to: Make an Abstract Painting” explores the accessibility of making an “abstract painting” in the age of smart-phones and user-compiled “Wiki” websites by loosely interpreting instructions sourced from the web.
This year, Mahler will host “How to: Make an Abstract Painting” in his studio. Visitors will be invited to contribute to and ultimately create an installation of abstract paintings by interpreting the same prompts/instructions as the artist.
Each visitor turned participant is invited to create one painting using materials provided using instructions as the jumping off point. Paintings must remain as part of the installation for the duration of the event and may be retrieved at a later date. This will be a first come, first served experience and willing participants should plan on committing approximately 45 minutes to the experience.