City Life Org - Art on the Ave NYC and The Inwood Merchant Association Partner with the support of NoMAA to Highlight Inwood’s Creative Culture and Vibrant Community

Exhibit titled “Connections” comprises artwork and stories from local artists to be displayed in vacant storefronts and existing small businesses in the Inwood area

Art on the Ave NYC, a community-based, not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting local artists while revitalizing neighborhoods, released its latest information regarding the exhibition, “Connections.” The exhibition, which has just launched, will continue until the end of January. The exhibition, curated by Ruthy Valdez and including 7 street-facing galleries, will bring creative energy to a neighborhood that is proud of its residents, merchants, and artists. Together with the Inwood Merchant Association, we wish to spotlight the Inwood Community as a place to live, work, and engage in the arts.

The exhibition, “Connections,” has been made possible through the generous support of the Inwood Merchant Association. “The Inwood Merchant Association is proud to partner with Art on the Ave NYC on an amazing project to beautify storefronts in Northern Manhattan and support local small businesses with great artwork from our skilled local artists,” said Gwen Martinez, Executive Director of the Inwood Merchant Association. “We’re very proud to support this exhibition, which will make our commercial corridor more attractive and will increase awareness of the cultural importance of Uptown Manhattan.”

Art on the Ave NYC transforms vacant storefronts in high- visibility locations to create street facing interactive art exhibitions for all to enjoy. “Using the work of local New York artists, we wish to spark a conversation about the concept of connecting,” explained Barbara Anderson, co-founder of Art on the Ave NYC. “From human connection, to connection between like or different ideas, to professional or commercial connection, or anywhere in between, we are excited to see how the artists will interpret this concept.”

NoMAA, a supporter of artists and arts organizations in Northern Manhattan is proud to support this upcoming exhibition and help spread the word to the creative community in the area. “The Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance is thrilled to partner with Art on the Ave and the Inwood Merchant Association to showcase the works of local artists and amplify the economic vibrancy of the neighborhood’s busy commercial corridor,” said Dr. Niria E. Leyva-Gutiérrez, Executive Director of the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance.

Connections is both a self-guided gallery walk and programmed exhibition with opportunities to join group art walks, live painting events, and other activities. Downloadable maps can be found on the website of Art on the Ave NYC , and all pieces of art are available for purchase with 100 percent of proceeds going directly to the artist.

The exhibition includes 28 artists all local to NYC with the majority being from Upper Manhattan.

Art on the Ave NYC also relies on the support of local property owners who have contributed their spaces.