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Community Arts Socials – Featuring Artist: Brian Fernandez
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Join us on Friday, March 1, 2024, at The Children’s Art Carnival from 6:00 – 8:00 pm for our third Community Arts Social Event featuring artist Bryan Fernandez. Bryan began creating art in high school as a form of self-expression, and the biggest influence on his life and current art practice is Washington Heights, with its ties to his identity and family history. Community Arts Socials are weekly gatherings for artists, creative individuals to connect with each other and members of the Northern Manhattan community. These social events provide a platform for the guest artist to introduce themselves and showcase their artistic endeavors to all attendees. Artist presentations can last up to an hour, with the remaining time dedicated to fostering connections among artists and creatives. The events feature food, beverages, music, and interactive creative activities, aiming to establish The Children’s Art Carnival as uptown’s hub for artists and creatives. Moreover, the CAC Socials serve as opportunities to fundraise for the Children’s Arts Carnival. |
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This event is open to the public. We appreciate your donation of $5 or pay-what-you-can. (Register with donation)
About the featured artist: Brian Fernandez
Domingo Cruz was born in Harlem, raised in Washington Heights, and currently resides in the South Bronx. Although he is a true New Yorker at heart, his sentiments also extend to the Dominican Republic and its rich culture, the land from which his parents immigrated. Under his artistic moniker, CruDo, Domingo creates art that pays homage to both NYC and the DR, highlighting their organic yet colorful intersections. Specifically, Domingo is well-versed in the traditions of the Dominican Carnival, its history, and the intricate craft of elaborating carnival masks. He conducts numerous workshops on this subject across various institutions in the tri-state area.
Domingo takes pride in utilizing sustainable materials in his art. In fact, his artistic name “Crudo” means “raw” in Spanish, reflecting his penchant for reimagining raw or existing items. His primary materials include reclaimed wood (primarily plywood, given its often-overlooked nature), cloth, papier-mâché, acrylic paint, and acrylic plastic. He blends these materials together, drawing from his expertise in laser cutting, carpentry, and papier-mâché, to create pieces that not only showcase his artistic prowess but also serve to uplift and educate those who appreciate his work. Additionally, he actively engages with the community as a cultural and self-love ambassador.
Domingo fosters connections within the community through an Art Bus that he transformed from a retired mini NYC DOE school bus. This mobile studio and store also serve as a cultural sanctuary on wheels, which he shares with inner-city youth throughout New York City.
With a career spanning several decades, Domingo has collaborated with esteemed institutions such as the Department of Education, ExpandED Schools, Rutgers University, The Juan Pablo Duarte Foundation, The BELL Foundation, and the Alianza Dominicana Cultural Center in Washington Heights. Presently, Domingo serves as a proud teaching artist for City Lore, where he imparts his knowledge and experience as an artist to continue making a meaningful impact on the lives of inner-city youth in NYC.
Community Workshops @ The Children’s Art Carnival are made possible with funding from West Harlem Development Corporation.
This event is open to the public. We appreciate your donation of $5 or pay-what-you-can. (Register with donation)