Artists Involved in AAI's Studio Programs

Office of the Manhattan Borough President
1 Centre Street, 19th Floor
New York, NY, 10007

December 8, 2005 - January 31, 2006
Opening reception:
December 8, 2005 from 6-7:30pm

Performance by: Frank London of the Klezmatics and friends

Organized by Suzanne Varni and Paul Clay

Please Note: You must bring Photo Id to gain entry to the building.

Carlos Ancalmo, Zeina Assaf, Doug Blanchard, Linda Byrne, Joyce Chan, Paul Clay, Pamela Crimmins, Eduardo Difarencio, Nancy Friedeman, Charlie Friedman, Chitra Ganesh, Robert Grant, Linda Griggs, Kylie Heidenheimer, Felicity Hogan, John Hogan, Michael Katchen, Tine Kinderman, Chang Jin Lee, Bill Massey, Shelly McGuinness, Buxton Midyette, Nancy Muller, Selime Okuyan, Rune Olsen, Steve Page, Nicole Parcher, Mark Power, Maya Puchkoff, David Pushkin, Nola Romano, Heidi Russel, Madhukanta Sen, Flavia Souza, Sherman Sussman, Suzanne Varni, Melanie Vote

Contemporary art and culture do not materialize without effort. Just as with all ages and cultures it is the drive of a people, which calls forth the resources both physical and creative to accomplish the work, which enriches the present and is bequeathed as heritage to the generations to come.

Recently there has been a renewed awareness of this need to support the work of artists if we hope to see it continue to come into existence. This new awareness in the arts can be seen in a number of vital initiatives, from the seminal report "Culture Counts: Strategies for a More Vibrant Cultural Life for New York City", 2001, initiated by the New York Foundation for the Arts, to the more recent survey, "The Continuing Economic Impact Upon Visual Artists of all Disciplines in NYC", 2004 by Jonathan Slaff and Delphine Veaudor.

Image of print invite for the exhibit

We have been reminded that we cannot take anything for granted. The status quo does not automatically maintain itself. If we want a great City and a great Nation, we have to make it. We have to build, rebuild and foster. We must provide space and resources where none exists and must work to conserve the materials already at hand. By maintaining a stock of available art studios and increasing the availability of affordable and accessible space for artists in Lower Manhattan, AAI helps the arts to flourish.

Working with proven methods and best practices, AAI implements programs to increase culture and serve New York City. The practice of making art does not occur by itself. It must be nurtured. When artists have the chance to create art in their own studio workspace, AAI's methods for serving arts and culture transform into the art-making practice.

AAI always looks for new opportunities for collaboration and enhancement of the arts, often through joint ventures with other organizations and institutions. Here, the Office of the Manhattan Borough President demonstrates a strong vision by presenting contemporary artwork in their gallery space. AAI is honored to be working with them to serve the needs of artists and the city.

In presenting this set of art works we look to support and strengthen the cultural landscape downtown, and celebrate the artists, the ones who both reflect culture, and help to create it.

-Paul Clay and Suzanne Varni 2005