If you want to see all this art, bring your walking shoes.
Bushwick’s artists and performers are throwing open their studio doors this weekend for the neighborhood’s fifth annual arts festival, Bushwick Open Studios.
Featuring more than 369 art spaces between Grand Street and Gates Avenue, the festival can be overwhelming at times. It’s obviously impossible to see everything — but with a few helpful tips, you can sculpt an amazing weekend.
First, head to the launch party Friday night at Pine Box Rock Shop for a taste of what’s to come.
Then, come back Saturday morning and grab a map!
You can find programs at the neighborhood’s fledgling galleries and art spaces, such as English Kills on 114 Forrest St., Factory Fresh at 1053 Flushing Ave., or Storefront at 16 Wilson Ave., each of which has action-packed group exhibitions mounted just for the festival.
Next, head up Bogart Street, where several converted lofts — including 52 Grattan St., 49 Bogart St., and 119 Ingraham St.— house a veritable beehive of artistic activity.
Then walk to the Moore Street Market, where Bushwick sage Austin Thomas has assembled an all-star team of artists for an installation inside the market’s stalls.
Grab some lunch from Michelle Lopez’s Farm Cart or one of the fried delicacies from Ramona’s stall while looking at the sculptures and hobnobbing with artists Brece Honeycutt, Audra Woloweic, the Push Pops, and Bushwick’s most notorious graffiti artist, Julie Torres.
Cross Flushing Avenue into Bushwick and make the steady climb toward Wyckoff Avenue where you must pay homage to art scene’s mirthful Puck-like figure, Jason Andrew, at his apartment-gallery Norte Maar, on 83 Wyckoff Ave., before visiting globular foam sculptor Ben Godward’s studio at 49 Wyckoff Ave., and Kevin Curran’s newly relocated Laundromat at 70 Wyckoff Ave.
Take a jaunt to 1717 Troutman St. to visit another converted factory with scores of studios including art space Regina Rex, and double back down St. Nicholas Avenue, where you will encounter a tiny buzz-worthy Famous Accountants gallery in the basement of 1673 Gates Ave. featuring poignant, Reformation-themed portraits from artist Matthew Miller.
But art can only feed your mind.
If you want to grab a bite, head back toward Starr Street and stop by brand-new Café Chia on 24 Irving Ave.; the always excellent Northeast Kindgdom on 18 Wyckoff Ave., or Guacuco at 44 Irving St.
Bushwick Open Studios launch party at Pine Box Rock Shop 12 Grattan St. between Bogart Street and Morgan Avenue, (718) 366-6311], June 3. Festival continues through June 5. For info, visit www.artsinbushwick.org.
