Since officially kicking off its hotel art program with artist and curator Kimia Kline at the helm, Wythe Hotel has cultivated an impressive permanent collection featuring artists such as Katherine Bradford, Chris Martin, EJ Hauser, Steve DiBenedetto, and Yevgeniya Baras. Along with Rachael Petach, Kimia heads the hotel Residency Program, offering independent artists further opportunities to develop new pieces and share their work with broader audiences.
The hotel’s permanent collection consists of unique works in each guest room, a tribute to the Brooklyn local creative community and the diversity of talent to be found in the storied neighborhood. The collection primarily focuses on sketchbooks and in-process pieces, emphasizing the alive and fluid creative process. Wythe Hotel’s hope is to foster a connection between its guests and the wider creative community of Brooklyn, and Kimia continues to help foster that. We caught up with the local artist and curator to learn more about her unique work and process.
Greenpointers: Do you live in Brooklyn, and if so where and for how long?
Kimia Kline: I’ve lived in Fort Greene, Brooklyn for the past six years.
How did you first get connected to this Artist Residency Program, and why did the Wythe feel like a good fit as a venue?
After building the visual art collection in the hotel over the past four years, I was excited to expand our programming to include performance art and new media as well. After lots of conversations regarding how to better serve our creative community and activate the beautiful and unique spaces in the hotel, we came up with the parameters of the residency and put out an open call. We’ve been thrilled with the interest from both artists and audiences and realize what a need there is for this kind of exhibition opportunity in Brooklyn.
If you don’t know, now you know, Greenpoint! Every season, the gorgeous Greenpoint Loft comes alive with FREE fun activities, food & refreshments, music, and epic local shopping. And on Sunday, February 7th (1-7PM) we’re spreading the love the Greenpoint way at ourannual Valentine’s Market!
Holly’s HeART by Hand (172 Greenpoint Ave) is a new art & maker learning center and handmade shop. After several years of working the market circuit, owner and long-time Greenpoint resident Holly Fairall is putting down brick and mortar roots here.
Holly’s HeART by Hand (172 Greenpoint Ave)
The shop carries work from many local artists and fair-trade goods from global craftspeople including a beautiful collection of eco-friendly cards, jewelry, home goods, specialty foods, incense, and paper goods. In addition to all the products being ethically produced and eco-friendly, the prices are unbeatable, with an average cost of $25. If you ever need a unique gift, this is the place to go. Continue reading →
Tucked away in the Garden Spot of Greenpoint (144 Driggs Ave ), L.A.B. Brooklyn will be opening their doors this weekend (4/11) with a wide variety of local artisan goods and fine art. Expect an eclectic mix of goods, everything from housewares to handmade luxury bags made by veteran craftsmen as well as new comers launching their lines this spring. Continue reading →
I chatted with photographer, Johnny Panessa, in the week leading up to his first ever solo show at Picture Farm, Along the Forge, which opens tomorrow 4/4. Panessa spent nearly 3 years documenting the highly polluted Forge River and despite the looming environmental damage in the area, or maybe becuase of it, his landscapes are imbued with a haunting beauty, while the honest portraits tell the story of the people who interact with the water on a daily basis.
Johnny, who comes from skateboarding background, is a laid back guy and it’s obvious from his portraits. The people looking into the camera just trust him, it’s as simple as that, like they would any local. And Johnny is somewhat of a local himself. He grew up just down the street from the river in the town of Mastic, and it was an emblamatic part of his childhood. “The river was the place where we’d go crabbing, waterskiing, and fishing–anything kids do in water,” he reminisced. “It was completely polluted, but at that point, we never thought of it.” Continue reading →
Our pals at Brooklyn Brewery just turned 25. And to celebrate, they decided to reflect on the creative power that makes this borough so unique by releasing a fancy Silver Anniversary Lager, with limited edition labels from 4 local artists that brewery co-founder, Scott Hindy, met as he grew Brooklyn Brewery from a start up to a serious craft beer producer. Continue reading →
