Family Affair at the Bronx Museum of the Arts

By Lorraine Acosta

Inner and Outer spaces explores the idea of space in the Bronx.

“Family Affair” was an event presented by the Bronx Museum of the Arts. It was an event to engage families in the exhibition displayed at the museum.

“(It) is an event in art making and for families to be able to see the exhibitions and buildings,” said Museum Educator Katherine Howie-Garcia.

There were a series of seven activities for the children and parents. They consisted of building your dream house, theatrical images, people and apple smiles amongst many others.

These activities were inspired by the work of Cuban artist Emilio Sanchez. His work is currently displayed at the museum. Sanchez’s collection focuses on the Hunts Point area of the South Bronx. He uses paintings of buildings, bodegas, and auto shops to express his perceptions of that community.

“Bronxtopia” is the name of one of the activities the museum had for the kids that allowed them to create their fantasy house inspired by the Sanchez exhibition.

“His paintings are colorful and vibrant and we are playing after that,” said 24-year-old Laurie Lee-Georgescus, another museum educator.  “Kids are making what their ideal house would be using shapes and things you normally wouldn’t see.”

Phylicia Francis, 30, who has a Master in Education, from Lehman College who attended with her two daughters. “I like this event because it gives me something to do, something creative, hands on, and an opportunity to come to the museum and learn new things,” she said.

The Bronx Museum of the Arts focuses on 20th-century and contemporary art, while serving the culturally diverse populations of the Bronx and New York metropolitan area.

If you enjoy the sense of contemporary art and diversity, visit The Bronx Museum of the Arts, 1040 Grand Concourse, at 165th Street, Morrisania, (718) 681-6000, www.bronxmuseum.org.