12th Annual Spring Arts Festival Highlights Community Talent

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Sculpture, collage, photography, painting, drawing, dance, drama, voice- the many talents of the Riis Settlement community were on full display on Friday, May 7th at our 12th Annual Spring Arts Festival.

Sponsored by our long time partner and supporter, the Joan Mitchell Foundation, the festival showcases the many ways that the young people, older adults, and English-language learners in Riis Settlement programs express themselves, share their hopes and dreams, and create positive change in the community.  This year, the theme of the event was “Celebrating 60 Years of Growth and Community Involvement,” commemorating the 60th anniversary of our move to Long Island City and consolidation of our activities in Western Queens.  A highlight of this year’s celebration was a photographic history of Riis Settlement and the Queensbridge Houses, which have served as our home base since the move.

The evening began with an outdoor reception featuring hors d’oeuvres and refreshments, followed by remarks by City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer and State Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan and then the following performances:

  • The Debonair Step Team John Jay College
  • STAR (IS 126) Program Drama Club
  • Senior Shakers
  • Tai Mountain Shadow School of Kung Fu (Youth & Adults)
  • Spartans (Ravenswood/Cornerstone Community Center) – Dance performance to “Waiting for the World to Change”
  • Dance Sensation (PS 166) – DESI (South Asian Dance) performance
  • Urban Legendz – Ravenswood and Queensbridge Community Teen dance group
  • Next Edition (Ravenswood/Cornerstone) Chorus, performing “Heal the World,” “Man in the Mirror,” and “Wonderful World”
  • Youth Drill, It Takes a Village to Raise a Child
Throughout the evening, a wide array of visual artworks created by Riis participants were on display, using various media and dealing with such topics as the environment, animal life, the vanity painting, and visualizing memory.  In addition to the Joan Mitchell Foundation, support for the event was provided by TransCanada Corporation, Armando’s Restaurant, Materials for the Arts, Court Square Wine & Spirits, and Mr. Robert Madison.  We thank all of our friends and supporters for helping us bring the arts to LIC!