On a chilly autumn day, the art and artists animated Fall for Arts 2022, dancing through and painting over RIOC’s miscues. Powered by the Roosevelt Island Visual Art Association (RIVAA) and Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance (MSTDA), the show went on. It was as if their energy would prevail, no matter what.
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
A dozen double-faced murals ringed the Rivercross Lawn, much like in other years. The art and artists were inspired, but the similarities stopped there. Because RIOC originally planned on canceling the event, it wound up late, cooler, poorly promoted and shrunk by half.
Those obstacles did not stand in anyone’s way.
The results were outstanding, and with fair weather ahead, the rows of murals will remain on view as long as conditions allow. They deserve a greater audience.
The Art and Artists of Fall for Arts 2022
The arts weren’t all visual. An MSTDA feature got things off to an energetic start.
At midday, rays of sunlight accented the murals.
But the art and artists deserved better. Once RIVAA rescued the show days before it was too late, RIOC barely promoted it, sending out the call for artists after submissions were closed. The dance program? They made a note on their undistributed posters but never mentioned the time.
Visitors arrived too late to appreciate a thrilling performance.
A Win for the Artists
Enthusiasm for their work meant that creativity powered through the day. And a lasting effect will run through until winter.
Maybe you can’t beat the art, at least not here on Roosevelt Island.
“I Can Ask”
Chair Fay Christian opened the Operations Advisory Committee on February 12th, reading out member names from a prepared sheet that omitted Melissa Wade. It didn’t feel intentional, but it struck me as odd precisely because it came from something prepared. Lydia Tang gently corrected her, noting that Wade was, in fact, a member of the committee. Wade met the moment with grace, or perhaps she simply wasn’t bothered by it.
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