Last evening, when Vernissage 21 opened at Gallery RIVAA, a community eager for art after two years of restrictions packed the space. Roosevelt Island shook off the pandemic and embraced visual art. But the blessings mixed with loss.
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
At Vernissage 21
For many, it was a chance to renew friendships blunted by the pandemic and its many, overlapping restrictions. For others, it was art appreciation, fresh and local. Fitting for the changing times, some were masked, but some were not.
And it felt like a reopening at last after two years, relishing communal life in the unique community of Roosevelt Island.
The art set a warm theme.
Popular veteran artist, like Laura Hussey and Ioan Popoiu, again occupied wall space with original paintings while newcomers and guest artists joined in. But in tone, it was bittersweet because recent losses reminded everyone that art is forever, artists are not.
Around 7:00 p.m., RIVAA president Tad Sudol called time out for welcoming visitors and for Esther Piaskowski’s tribute to founder Arline Jacoby.
But there was joy in that too as Jacoby’s lively, creative spirit settled over the gathering.
We will have more, including photographs of the art, but do yourself a favor. Stop by 527 Main Street. Enjoy it in person.
More from the Roosevelt Island Daily News
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- A new RIOC appeals officer denied records on how its general counsel was hiredA different RIOC appeals officer denied records on how RIOC hired general counsel Lance Polivy. RIOC’s internal deliberations on the hire stay withheld.
- Monday’s PSD blotter: two hospital transports, two disputesRIOC’s Nov. 9 PSD blotter lists 14 incidents, including four aided calls with two hospital transports and a verbal dispute at 750 Main Street that drew FDNY.
- Flushing Spa Murder: Man Charged After Woman Found Stabbed to DeathFlushing spa murder investigation leads to a murder charge against a 54-year-old man after a woman was found fatally stabbed in a Queens storefront.
- Sunday’s blotter: four medical calls, three non-criminal investigationsRIOC’s Nov. 8 PSD blotter lists 19 incidents, including four aided calls (two hospital transports) and three Investigation Non-Criminal entries at 465, 580 and 546 Main Street.
Introduce Yourself Again
On June 18, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation’s Real Estate Development Advisory Committee gathered to discuss ground leases, retail agreements and pieces of the west-side waterfront that had been waiting patiently for the government to remember them.
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