Cuchifritos is an art gallery/project space located right inside a local food market - the Essex Street Market.

Essex Street Market exterior.

It is a program of the Artists Alliance Inc. and is open Monday through Saturday 12:00 noon to 6:00pm, and by appointment. Closed Sundays and Holidays.

Essex Street Market interior.

Cuchifritos' mission: to act as a forum for exploring fundamental ideas, issues and concerns in contemporary art, to highlight the work of underrepresented artists, and to make a connection with the local community of the Lower East Side through the medium of contemporary art.

Cuchifritos operates by inviting independent curators to submit proposals. In addition, anyone wishing to submit a proposal may do so by following the submission policy and guidelines linked below. Each Spring a curatorial advisory committee composed of curators and arts professionals from diverse backgrounds choose exhibits from the submissions.

Cuchifritos presents contemporary art exhibits featuring the work of emerging or under represented artists, and exhibits involving a clear conceptual theme structured to put the work of these artists in context.

The gallery's location is designed to underscore the community value of The Essex Street Market by provoking interaction and debate between the multi-cultural local community and the artwork presented.

The exterior of Cuchifritos, seen from inside the market.

It gives much needed opportunities to independent curators, who are looking to put forward what they feel are the key developments happening in contemporary art right now.

Finally, it provides fundamentally needed support for artists. By providing an alternative venue to show existing work that doesn't always get a voice, and also a space in which artists can create entirely new works, the gallery serves as a launching point for these new artists and their ideas.

Cuchifritos interior, Photo by Albert Padilla.

CUCHIFRITOS STAFF:

Executive Director, Artists Alliance Inc.
Dina Weiss

Founder and Chair of Curatorial Advisory Committee: Paul Clay

Gallery Manager and Volunteer Coordinator: Lauren Testa

Cuchifritos gallery volunteers:

Douglas Braswell, Chris Fellows, Camilla Ha, Crystal Heller, Justin Holder, Kimberly Hong, Adair Kleinpeter-Ross, Melanie Lannon, Adriana Lenarczyk, Dominique Martin, Catherine Nelson, Rachel Poccia, Heidi Russell, Jessica Scherlag, Joey Vadapalas, Sarah Williams, Lance Yang and Nicci Yin

Opening reception, Photo by Albert Padilla.

Past Volunteers include - Angelo Angeles, Lynette Avatt, Karen Benezra, Joyce Chan, Emily Colucci, Madison Cruz, Phillip D. Elliott, James Goodridge, CJ Johnson, Julie Quon, Sally (Maya) Vallejo, Joseph Borzotta, Tony Gawron, Meredith Horn, Nicole Mabry, Edie Nadelhaft, Penelope Ojeda, Julienne Pascoe, Robin Proll

Continue here to see more images of the CUCHIFRITOS space.

Go here for Submission Policy and Guidelines.

Go here to get a Ground Plan.