Intrepid New Yorker

I did my duty. I hustled downtown, crossed the Hudson River, over the Beautiful Brooklyn Bridge, found a place to park, walked (hoping my car would not get a ticket) around the corner and to the waters edge. And what did I see? Nothing! Well, I did see the bridge, the skyline, a couple of lovers sitting a park bench, bus loads - more bus loads - more bus loads - I had to dodge a bus myself, and stuff. But I did not see any waterfalls! What is the big deal? I know it is public art and I should love it. but "it" was turned off. How can a waterfall be just turned off. There is not a drout.

iPhone camera in Philadelphia

I love my iPhone camera. It is always at the ready, unlike my clunky Canon EOS Mark II. I thought I would share a couple of photos taken on a recent trip I made to the city of the freedom bell, Philidelphia. The Lens seems to have a few finger marks on it no matter how much I try to keep it clean. Nevertheless, the images are great


I went to Philly for an Americans for the Arts conference on. It was totally up lifting. The world of Public Art seems to be emerging out of the dark ages and creating a place of its own. The conference was filled with Art Commission directors hungry to learn more about public art and how they might use it in their cities or states to support local art programs and economies, and to build tourism. All of a sudden people seem to be interested in art in public spaces that engages the public. It helped me feel that the long hours in unfamiliar surrounding had a greater meaning and was part of a greater good.

The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

I also ran into two people I am getting to know. John Cusano of the Connecticut Commission of Culture and Tourism and Rie Poirier-Campbell, deputy director of the Greater Hartford Arts Council.

Reaching Out

What makes a city tick? Many folks I have talked to have suggested that Hartford stopped ticking some time ago. - Take a second look!

At the suggestion of my POA associate ,Martin Studzinski, I went to City Hall, a magnificent building at 550 Main Street, to meet with Lillian Ruiz, Director of Human Relations. On the lower floor through some classic oak doors I discovered a part of the heart that was ticking away in an extremely efficient manner. Lillian, (whose daughter, Erika, is Miss Connecticut of Tourism) understood my portrait project to the core. She understood that the Portrait Project had the power to build stronger communities, break down barriers and help broaden understanding and cooperation between people of all backgrounds. She understood that bringing out the dignity of individuals through elegant portraits is a very effective way to change the perceptions of those individuals and of the community in general. Yes, my approach to portraiture is classic in the pure sense of the word but the presentation and intent of the work is radical in its design to activate social engagement.

Yes, the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism gave the project a substantial grant to get started, but to realize its potential, to really have an impact, to reach out to and involve a substantial number of the 130 different nationalities in Hartford, we have to build community support and raise more money to create a world class artistic and social exhibition and event.

To that end, Lillian offered to introduce the project to many community leaders. From memory, names and phone numbers flowed forth. Within a few minutes she had set up meetings with a couple of key people, suggested names for an ad hock steering committee and set the ball rolling. I realized that I was witnessing a new Hartford. A Hartford whose residents were taking charge.

Hartford Studio Opens - 89 Pratt St, Hartford, Ct

Wow - Well, it feels good. We have a studio !!!! And we have moved in. And I have taken our first round of portraits. And we have rolled the first tape in the creation of the project documentary.



My first subject was Luis Cotto- I had invited Luis, councilman of the Working Families Party, to our first POA organizational meeting with the Greater Hartford Arts Council. He came with Angel. Not your typical councilman - on the job with baby leading the parade. Yet there he was with Angel in a stomach pouch, Kangaroo style. I have since come to find that Angel is extremely well know around town - and well loved. Luis is a proud and practical dad and has an amazing story, which I look forward to sharing with you as time goes on. Luis accepted my second invitation to be our first subject. Thank you Luis....

Albemarle Equities, the real estate development company, has essentially donated a space for Portrait of America to work in for the initial phase of its Hartford project. I am very grateful. Thank you.

Opening - Real Art Ways

I have been exploring Hartford's offerings and was excited to visit:
The Emerging Artists Opening @ Real Art Ways - High Energy - A service to the arts and community.
I loved the opening in the refurbished typewriter factory in the Parkville part of Hartford. It was buzzing even at the early hour of my arrival 5:00. The crowd was friendly, mixed and engaged. Will Wilkins and his staff put together a diverse group of young artists whose intellectual rigor and fine craft were exciting. Corinne Beardsley's "Lovely" explored a seductivity and sensuality of women's bodies in relations to other women, themselves and men. Their sensitive vulnerability displayed in public was disarming and invited the viewer into a relation with the object, a ceramic sculpture. In a strange way, I found myself being embarrassed and intrigued and wanting somehow to enter the fantasy. Her craft was strong, textural and inviting.

The other artists of equal strength were Sam McKinniss and David Politzer.
http://www.realartways.org/

The Wadsworth's New Director - passion for community

Congressman Luis Cotto invited me to a fun gathering of Hartford's Latino arts gliterati. The place was outrageous and fun - wild vibrant colors on the walls and great food. When he introduced the honored guest I was delighted to find out it was Susan Lubowsky Talbott, the recently appointed director of the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art. She was full of energy and stated she was dedicated to bring the museum to the community and vise versa, Bravo!

Lets Talk About the BIG Picture

I guess I was ranting about the LAND and all the stuff that gets people all riled up – like not having respect for our backyard or, “that is his problem, I think I will put another mall on this nice field, make a pile of dough, and go back to my nice remote house on the mountain top.”

Well, the issues surrounding our use and stewardship of the land are important, but CITIES are full of challenges as well. Hartford, where I will create my next project is wonderfully complex. There used to be fields and farms and forests where Hartford now stands. In fact the whole valley the city now rises out of used to be a lake – Great Lake Hitchcock - But that was before the glaciers advanced south and busted up the containing hills to the south creating the Connecticut River and , draining the lake. Anyway, it is too late to think about land preservation on Asylum Street. So lets talk about the people that make the city tick, the Jazz, the Salsa, the Rhythm and Blues and some tougher issues too.

Charlie Sepulveda performing at Hartford's
Latin Jazz and Salsa Festival















Well of course I am going to do it with pictures. And of course I will share them with you as I go along.


I think they should be big because the folks who live in the cities have to be strong to maintain their dignity and pride. I think we need to celebrate that.

How about a Farm?

There is all this talk about the environment. Don't pollute, Don’t cut the forest. Don’t spill toxic waist. Don’t tred on the wetlands. But really, what is happening out there – on the land – on the rivers and streams? Will there be open space or are we doomed to one endless strip mall? What is happening to the farm, the farmer, Fresh food, the ho-down, and the satisfaction of looking over a field you have just tilled.

Well, I thought I’d find out and share it with you; because it will affect all of us.

I am going to wander out into the hills of Litchfield County, Connecticut and tell the story through portraits - - - and words.

Then I will share those portraits in a way that will bring people together so they can see the land and the people, think about the stone walls and how they got there (hard work), and ask themselves, what next.

I thought I would put the photos on a farm, in a field – places where cows hang out and the corn grows. What do you think?





There is something quite natural and yet a little unsetteling about seeing people and the land.