Art on the Streets

A biannual outdoor art show, the Washington Square Art Exhibit, has been around for more than 80 years. It all started in 1931, during the Great Depression, when a few local artists decided to showcase and hopefully sell some of their work. The founder, Jackson Pollock, desperately in need of funds to pay the rent for a studio in Greenwich Village, took a few of his paintings and set them up on the sidewalks near Washington Square Park. He was soon joined by fellow village artists in the same financial situation.

After a while, the crowd of artists grew, attracting more and more passersby to stop and look. Many of their works were purchased, and the event was even noted by luminaries of the art world such as Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, founder of the Whitney Museum of Art, and Alfred H. Barr, Jr., Director of the Museum of Modern Art.

As the years went by, what began as a small fair evolved into a massive exhibit featuring artists from all over the world. Artists from New York, New Jersey, Washington D.C, and even China gathered to put together an impressive show. As of today, the exhibit takes place every Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend, on the sidewalks of University Place from East 13th Street south to Waverly Place. It is now a showcase of art from diverse backgrounds, where people can be exposed to the diversity of art forms and where artists can be rewarded for their outstanding pieces. The exhibit didn’t lose its original purpose either, since artists whose works have been selected by judges can still receive cash prizes, donated by individuals, in support of their work.

The most recent exhibit this past Memorial day started at around noon. The sidewalks around Washington Square Park were encompassed in a casual, lighthearted atmosphere. The seven to eight blocks were filled with small, white booths displaying works of the exhibitor, some of which even played music.

Being open to the public, the exhibit attracted a wide range of audiences, varying from students to parents and children to the elderly. As the viewers walked down the neatly decorated blocks, they could admire the artworks, purchase souvenirs, and even chat with the artists about their work. Regardless of whether the viewers have been exposed to much art, many of them appreciated this opportunity to see and experience such a diverse range of pieces.

The artworks showcased came from a variety of cultures and backgrounds, as the artists themselves come from around the world. There were realist, impressionist, and cubist paintings, depicting scenes from nature and scenery to skyscrapers and city life. One piece showed the Brooklyn Bridge with the rough strokes on the water resembling Claude Monet’s “Sunrise.” And while paintings of New York City were the most common, each represented a different style, a different way of viewing the city. Some portrayed the place as a busy commercial center while others emphasized its beauty and harmony.

Other paintings expressed abstract ideas, which the artists further developed as they explained their work to the viewers. Unlike traditional museums, the artists stayed by their artworks to discuss their inspirations, life experiences, and what pushed them to create their art pieces. Many viewers found it was interesting how what could have seemed like patches of color could mean something so much more after considering the artist’s perspective.

Aside from paintings, the exhibit also incorporated photography and handcrafts into the already diverse art forms, adding variety to the event. Photographs featured landscape and environment as well as people and urban settings, while handcrafts included sculptures, jewelry, clocks, and handkerchiefs.

With its unique charm, the Washington Square Art Exhibit stands out even in a busy city like New York. The diversity of the art it incorporates helps it appeal to a wide range of people. The event promotes art as a facet of the city’s culture and allows city dwellers to become more aware of the art around them. It wins the applause of many citizens, which continues to drive the event as it progresses with each passing year.

[a]i put the 'so what'/'why does it matter' part in the conclusion i hope thats okay :)