Washington Square artists warm hearts
on a chilly Saturday in November
BY TEQUILA MINSKY
Surprisingly few students
were hanging
out and absent
were the usual hordes in
Washington Square Park
on a gray Saturday, Nov.
23. But, hardy New Yorkers,
not kept away by the
autumn chill, and tourists
that just had to see the
park, continued to stroll
the Wwalkways. hile lingering,
park goers enjoyed
the master
artists creating that day.
Classical music warmed
the hearts of all in earshot
with piano maestro
Colin Huggins, a weekend
regular on his baby
grand. Meanwhile, Joe
Mangrum, knee pads in
place, designed an intricate—
and they’re always
different— vibrant sand
painting, its dimension expanding
on the plaza near the arch.
Long after the sun was down, these
two continued to delight the public
practicing their art.
Huggins stood on the piano bench
inviting any listeners to lay under his
piano and experience the vibrations
and hear music in a new way. There are
always takers.
Even after the chartreuse and bright
orange sand painting looked finished,
Mangrum got back on his knees to add
swirling golden sand, curvaceous tails
attached to the design.
Listeners are invited to lay under
the piano to hear music in an
entirely different way.
PHOTOS BY TEQUILA MINSKY
Daytime or early evening, phone and
cameras came out for mementos of
these iconic Village artists as they created.
Why were they there so late? Mangrum
was asked. “It’s gonna rain tomorrow,”
he explained. Both are weekend
regulars, and visitors won’t be
seeing either the next day.
A detail of Joe
Mangrum’s sand
painting created
on a chilly gray
Saturday.
The sun set hours before as Joe Mangrum continues to add to his
sand painting.
Colin Huggins about to begin the last song of the evening, “Clair de
Lune,” invites listeners to lay under the piano.
Continuing to create past sunset, Joe Mangrum add to his intricate
vibrant sand painting.
16 December 5, 2019 Schneps Media