One of Carri’s #DrawingADay portraits, as seen on her Instagram
Carri Skoczek has enjoyed a decades-spanning career, in which time she has shown from everywhere from the Coney Island Mermaid Parade to Clem’s Bar. Now, she’s enjoying the dedication and regiment of #DrawingADay, using social media as a vehicle to exhibit (and often sell) her works. She also has a show now at Figureworks (168 North 6th Street) where her interest in dolls of all shapes and sizes is on full display. Get to know this local artist and her versatile craft in today’s Thursday Spotlight!
Greenpointers: You’ve had a number of shows in Brooklyn and have lived here for a bit. Can you briefly describe your trajectory and how you came to live in the borough?
Carri Skoczek: I moved to Brooklyn when i was 40 in 1997, a year after meeting my New York-born and bred partner in crime, David Hurd, in New Orleans at Jazz Fest. It was magical. We discovered we had the same friends.
Kerry Smith from the Right Bank Cafe insisted I run his gallery, which I did from 1997 to 2001. It was the perfect way to meet local artists and gallerists in the heyday of the Williamsburg art scene.
My first solo show in Brooklyn was at the Williamsburg Art and Historical Society in 1997. I curated an annual mermaid show celebrating the Coney Island Mermaid Parade for 10 years. I was also an award-winning participant in the parade. (I was a costume designer in Milwaukee for 12 years and that satisfied my urge to play dress up and design costumes for my friends.) I’ve shown at Holland Tunnel Gallery since the beginning. Participated in every annual epic group show Ritchie Timperio put on at sideshow gallery. I also had a solo show there in 2016. I was represented by Causey Contemporary from 1999 until she closed the gallery doors in 2015.
I’ve been in funky group shows in the local bars. I did a drunk girl show at Clem’s Bar in the late 90s. Two drunk girl chalkboard drawings are still in the window.
Punk power clothing brand Molly Monroe is hosting a gothy, rocky, punky makers market at Brooklyn Bazaar (150 Greenpoint Ave) on June 10th from 12pm-6pm. Fascination Street Market is a punk rock flea market happening four times a year and featuring more than 25 NYC based artists, vendors and live music. Each artist will be selling one of a kind handcrafted clothing, jewelry, cosmetics, artwork and odds and ends. Check it out!
Now that the hellscape known as winter is officially over, it’s time to freshen up your spring looks. If you’re thinking of shopping local and investing in some key pieces, browse some of these killer selections from our beloved neighborhood boutique, In God We Trust. We heard that mechanic-style jumpsuits are all the rage. You can thank us later.
Did you know about the ultra-sleek and stylish sneaker shop, Circle3.nyc on West Street? Well, we’re letting you in on a little secret. This boutique (67 West Street) is a must-shop for all sneakerheads. With metropolitan-ready styles, these sneakers are ready to pound the pavement or take a leisurely, city stroll. Plus, some of the line is made-to-order right in New York. The rest of the line is manufactured in Spain.
Style lovers, we just found a hidden gem for you to shop in. Either And (67 West Street) is a retail store meets media agency. With these two elements colliding, it creates an aesthetic wonderland. Think cool lines, structured silhouettes, pops of color, some vintage, and pieces that make you look like the tough protagonist in a modern art film. Sign us up.
Want some new-but-once loved pieces? Browse our picks from Either And for some seriously editorial-worthy looks. Continue reading →
Hey babes, one of our fave and totally chill vintage brick and mortar shops is now open for business on the world wide web. In addition to their Manhattan Avenue shop, Mirth Vintage (606 Manhattan Ave) now has a shoppable website. Hell yes. We’re thinking this is a great shopping alternative when you just can’t bear to go outside. (Snow storm, anyone?)
While nothing beats the thrill of the hunting for an oh-so-perfect item in a physical store, we’re jazzed to see local businesses expanding their brands online. Online shopping connoisseurs will find a full range of vintage apparel, shoes, accessories, and earrings. Browse some of our favorite picks – before they sell out! Continue reading →
After almost four years in business our favorite shop with endless summer vibes, M Carter (141 Engert Ave), is closing up shop.
They say: “Pulling out tons of merch from the archive and running a HUGE sale starting this Saturday, January 6. Discounts from 25-80% off.”
So while the weather may be in the teens outside, bundle up NOW to stock up on fun beachtowels and chic swimsuits. Stash them away for summer! Continue reading →
The first-annual Greenpoint Fall Shopping Crawl is happening this Saturday, November 25th, all day.
Going all day and through the evening, shoppers will enjoy a full day of holiday shopping discounts— 10% to 20% off in each participating shop—free drinks, music, and light bites. The event coincides with Small Business Saturdayand will showcase 20+ Greenpoint businesses, including: Continue reading →
New York living would be way too lonely without our furry friends by our side, who provide us cuddles and kisses not only when we refuse to leave our apartments in the dead of winter, but also increasingly commonly at work. Dog friendly offices are totally on trend right now, but with crowded subways and a recent backlash on “fake” service dogs, bringing your pup to and fro around the city is becoming more of a challenge. Especially if you want your dog bag to match your personal sense of style.
Longtime North Brooklyn resident Tennille Teague was frustrated at the lack of stylish options to tote her lovable daschund Mo to and from work every day. Dogs need to be in a carrier of some type if you take them on the subway, ferry or in a cab—and most of the available doggie travel bags at big box retailers or online come in rather obnoxious colors or patterns, and don’t really fall in line with the fashion forward sensibility of hip New Yorkers. And aside from looks, there were other features Tennille wasn’t able to find in a doggie travel bag—a well-designed pocket for accessible poop bags, detachable straps, a leather bottom with metal feet, or one end open for the dog’s head to peek out, for example. And even if a bag had one of those traits, it didn’t have them all.
So after more than a year of design and production exploration, Tennille is ready to unleash Jaxx Hound onto the NYC dog scene. Jaxx Hound’s cleverly designed bags, collars and leashes will be produced nearby in Jersey, in production by the end of the year and ready to ship out in early 2018, if she meets her Kickstarter goal of $39,000. To support Jaxx Hound with a $25 pledge, you can rock the McGolrick dog run with a cute “Pup Culture” tee which features illustrations of dogs reimagined as celebs: Billdog Murray, Meryl Sheepdog and Bernese Sanders. And if you’re dying to get your hands on one of the bags, a pledge of $225 will get you one in classic black, grey, navy or olive green. And while that might seem like a lot to some, in the realm of locally-made and ultra-stylish dog fashion (with 5% of proceeds going to NYC shelter Animal Haven) the price makes sense. Your best friend and daily companion is worth whatever it costs. The Jaxx Hound Kickstarter ends in a few weeks; hook up your pup with the chic-est way to travel, before everybody else is doing it.
