ARTS Photo by Tatiana Kiselva 38 | BOROMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2013 (continued from page 36) interactive art piece that anyone can be a part of. Mar’s will have a cocktail hour with a DJ, and we will follow that up with an art opening and live music at Queens Kickshaw. That’s just the first weekend. BORO: How would you describe the arts scene in Astoria? LN: The arts scene is Astoria is small and growing. I was pleasantly surprised by what was submitted last year and this years submissions top that. BORO: How has that changed over your 13 years living here? LN: If there was an art scene here 13 years ago, I wasn’t aware of it. I’m sure there have always been creative people living here but I never saw them come together as a community. This is what we are trying to create with the yearly festival. Artists can meet each other and have a place to show their art. BORO: When the festival isn’t running, what is your favorite local spot to enjoy art? LN: Vesta—Guiseppe, Leo and David have always taken a proactive role in introducing new artists. Hell Gate Social—George Rallis is one of the biggest supporters of the neighborhood and building community, and Hell Gate Social has always gone above and beyond with giving people a chance, whether it be art or music. He is an integral part of the Astoria Art Festival. BORO: As an artist yourself, what about the neighborhood inspires your work? LN: I was inspired to start my website Glitter and Doom (www. Photo by Jacob Genen glitteranddoom.com) by all of the wonderful creative people I have met in my neighborhood. It’s the everyday creative—trying to create something while working three jobs or sitting in an awful office job. Every person that has shared their story or has done their part to build community in Astoria has inspired me. I wouldn’t be able to do the festival without help from local artists. LN: Our website (www.astoriaartfestival.com) will be up to date with all the details about the artists, and you will be able to download a map so that you can do your own art crawl during that week.
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