6 OCTOBER 3, 2019 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM
New art exhibit
opens in R’wood
BY ANGELICA ACEVEDO
AACEVEDO@SCHNEPSMEDIA.COM
@QNS
“A Burden to Bare,” a group art exhibition
dedicated to benefiting the
fight against sexual violence and
mental health stigma, will open its
doors to the Ridgewood and Bushwick
communities on Oct. 5.
The exhibition will display a
wide range of artwork from 20
artists who are “committed to
encouraging more open and honest
dialogue about the realities
of mental health, trauma, sexual
violence and recovery.”
The exhibition will run from Oct.
5 to Oct. 19 at 1022 Wyckoff Ave. in
Ridgewood.
The show is produced by visual
artist Alissa Milano and co-curator
Kaitlyn Power, as well as the community
real estate company Venn
Bushwick.
Milano told QNS that as a survivor
of sexual violence and abuse,
she knows that “the pain doesn’t
end when the abuse ends.”
“My work often focuses on vulnerability,
human connection and my
own struggles with mental health
and trauma,” she said. “I strongly
believe in the power of using art as
a tool for social change and inspiring
connection and compassion.”
In terms of the name of the exhibition,
“A Burden to Bare,” Milano
revealed that the title is in fact a
play on words that stems from
the common phrase: “A burden to
bear.”
“When we were exploring the
title we were thinking about the
weight that trauma and recovery
hold on us,” Milano said. “It was
meant to be a play on words of the
burden that survivors of violence,
trauma, mental illness are expected
to hold and carry through their
lives mixed with the show being an
outlet for us to expose the truth of
our experiences.”
She added, “The show is meant
to be cathartic and help release
what has been held in to encourage
more compassionate solutions and
growth beyond trauma.”
Milano connected with co-curator
Power over their shared belief
of “making the art world more accessible”
and building community
while doing so.
Power added that because they
both identify as “survivors of
trauma in one way or another,”
they felt it was important to create
an environment where others feel
“A Burden To Bare” group art
exhibition will open on Oct. 5 in
Ridgewood.
Courtesy of Alissa Milano
comfortable sharing their experiences
so that they may begin their
healing process.
“I used to keep my demons in, but
I have been so supported through
art and conversation and I wanted
to share that with other people,”
Power said.
The art exhibit will also raise
funds for the North Brooklyn Coalition
Against Family Violence by
donating all the proceeds from the
show (they’re asking for a $5 donations
at the door) and 10 percent of
their art sales.
On Oct. 5, doors will open at 5 p.m.
with opening statements scheduled
for 6 p.m.
Then, performances by some of
the featured artists will begin at
7 p.m., including Maxxx Pleasure
performing drag, and dance routines
by Ariana Andretta and Jade
Salzano, among others.
“The performances include dance,
spoken word, drag, and an installation/
dance piece that viewers can
actually walk through,” Milano
said. “Each piece addresses different
facets and sexual violence,
harassment, emotional abuse and
mental health.”
Being that Milano and Power are
both residents of Ridgewood and
Bushwick, they felt that having the
exhibition live in their community
came naturally.
“I also feel the energy in these
neighborhoods is unlike any other,”
Power said. “Bushwick and Ridgewood
are filled with creatives who
have purpose and want to make a
change in the world, and I wanted
to foster that energy.”
She added, “Also when you see
the space you will understand why
we absolutely had to hold the show
in it. It’s a creative paradise.”
The Credit Union
For You
CERTIFICATE ACCOUNT
SPECIALS
15-MONTH 2.203
36-MONTH
2.303
APY*
?$-@!!!
B<-' # '!!!! 30-YEAR FIXED RATE
MORTGAGES
RATES AS LOW AS 3.503
45G APR** 3.523
NO POINTS! PURCHASE OR REFI
(718) 795-2479 | TeachersFCU.org
31 Branches throughout Long Island, Queens & Manhattan
*All rates and terms are subject to change without notice. Annual Percentage Yield (APY) accurate as of 9/26/2019. A penalty may be imposed on early withdrawals. Limited
Subject to membership eligibility. Membership conditions may apply. **All rates and terms are subject to change without notice. APR: Annual Percentage Rate.
!!
"#
$ !!!% &' !+# ,' --
34"
5
'7 & 7-7 7#$#
" # '#
57'
8# '&$#7!377;
<#&%%=$ < -- "8
4$$&7 $$ <'7 #% ' '7-7 '
'
7& $ 7 ,$>!3,-
?7 ' <% <%<>!3
APY*
LIMITED TIME OFFER!
(Formerly Melrose & LOMTO Credit Union Branches)
Woodside (Queens) - !+C@<'
Briarwood (Queens) - 139-30 Queens @<'
Riverside (Manhattan) - >!< '@<'
F7B
/TeachersFCU.org
/WWW.QNS.COM
link
link
