About the Exhibition:
This group exhibition was organized by Women in the Arts (WIA) and features the work of twenty of its members. Entitled Urban/Suburban NYC, it highlights and contrasts the two sides of New York City. The fascination found in the urban setting of buildings and streets, one we know so well, with the incredible abundant nature, peace and tranquility found within the same city, which so often goes unnoticed.
New York City is usually thought of as a constantly moving metropolis that never sleeps. The buildings can be quite beautiful, with the sun offering golden hues of light on steel and glass at various parts of the day. Artists love to capture the beauty of shapes, the light glistening on the streets and people bustling about their business.
But within this densely packed environment there lies another side of this city. Nestled in the five boroughs peaceful sites of nature can be found, quietly breathing and offering sanctuary from the non-stop pulse of activity associated with a thriving hubbub of human activity and consumption. These sites are most often found in the boroughs outside of Manhattan–in Staten Island, Queens, Brooklyn and Bronx, but not exclusively. The parks have trees, all sorts of vegetation, hills, lakes, and ponds, which offer a haven for birds, squirrels, foxes, rabbits, deer and all kinds of living creatures. One can find peace and connection to nature within these ‘secret’ places.
About the Venue:
The Interchurch Center is a 19-story building located at 475 Riverside Drive and West 120th Street in Morningside Heights, New York City. Nicknamed “The God Box” it is the headquarters for the international humanitarian ministry Church World Service, and also houses a wide variety of church agencies and ecumenical and interfaith organizations as well as some nonprofit foundations and faith-related organizations, including the Religion Communicators Council. Samuel G. Freedman has described the building as “the closest thing to a Vatican for America’s mainline Protestant denominations.”
Ecoscape Wind, shown at left, is one of Heather Stivison's paintings featured in this exhibition. It was inspired by a visit to New York City’s High Line.
This elevated rail line had been unused for decades. Some sections had been torn down, and the rest of it had been threatened with demolition. But nature had other plans. Largely abandoned by humans, seeds were scattered by the wind and birds. These sprouted, grew, and created a hidden landscape of native plants and wildflowers. Then the humans stepped into the scene — in the right way for a change.
A non-profit conservatory was formed. The wildflowers were tended. Many more native, drought-tolerant species were planted. An ecosystem that supports wildlife and encourages pollinators flourished. Everything about this now public park has been done in a sustainable and environmentally thoughtful way. It has become one of the most magical public places in the city — and it offers hope.