¡Hacia Afuera! Art for Change in El Barrio, East Harlem, NY

Before taking part in the festivities at the park last weekend, my family and I made our way into El Barrio of East Harlem.  I had heard about the two-day weekend event, ¡Hacia Afuera!, that was being hosted by Art for Change through a facebook announcement. Art for Change is an organization focused on bringing forth social change through the arts.  It is driven by the belief that art can bring together people of all backgrounds and incite discussions, reflection, and provide information, while helping build and strengthen a community and encourage active participation and involvement.

I love it when grassroots organizations start gaining popularity and I especially love it when the attention is given to communities such as El Barrio and the people living there, because often times we are so focused on changing that we forget that sometimes change not only excludes the traditions and custom of an area, but also the very people who established them in the first place.  El Barrio isn’t just a location where you can still find “cheap rent”, it is the home of a people, traditions fostered and bred by a community of immigrants who came to the area and called this place home. It is a piece of New York City that I hold dear in my memories, not because I ever lived there, but because it represents the various sounds and sabor of what New York City is. But little by little this is being pushed out, replaced. Forgotten. This is the case for many traditional neighborhoods in NYC.

In my neighborhood of Washington Heights, there is still a strong sense of the Dominican population that has been established there for many years, but there is a border that expands itself every year, pushing away local businesses, residents who have called this place home for generations, and all the things that many knew to associate with the area.  All change is not bad, and it is a sign of progress and growth.  But organizations, such as Art for Change, aim to involve the people in these communities, give them a voice, let their choices count too.

When we arrived at the art festival it was hot.  Humid.  Uncomfortable.  But it was festive and I was able to meet some really nice people and the talented artists displaying their amazing work. Artists such as Louis Nieves, whose images reflected my New York in ever way;

Alex White-Mazarella, whose paintings had me coming back again and again, because every time I did I saw something new, that I hadn’t seen the time before;

and Daniel Cordani whose work really appealed to me as well and am happy to be able to further promote here.  Daniel was also there helping local kids create their own artwork, something I enjoyed watching and they enjoyed participating in.

I met Aaron Lazansky-Olivas, a man full of life, dedicated to an eclectic list of many things of importance, from eco-awareness, to organ donation, to urban art and commerce.

And all the while, as I walked around and met the different personalities that had dedicated their time and work to this great cause, my husband and kids played, danced to the music being played by the DJ, and even enjoyed some enchiladas from the food vendor on site.

It was a nice way to start our adventures that day.  I wish Art for Change and all those involved much success.  There is a reason NYC is such an incredible place to live.  It is about the diversity of each of our neighborhoods.  I welcome change, but when it involves the members of the community who were there to begin with, not when it pushes them out. Thank you too Art for Change and everyone at ¡Hacia Fuera! for sharing your work and stories with us.

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Tags: nyc
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