Riverdale Art Walk 2023

Time slows down around heavy objects and accelerates around Art. Arrived at Riverdale Art Walk around noon and next thing; my watch shows 5:45 pm. Having managed to visit less than half of it so far, I started to run across the lengths of those rows, as if looking for someone who could help. Most artists had started to wrap up and all I could see were their bent over arses while they packed their bags. My friend Ismayil, who had pretty much given up by this time, giggled at me while texting his Airbnb guests about some broken faucet or a bird that had entered the living room via chimney. I looked at the printed map of the booth locations and artists I had marked. Honestly at this point , it didn't matter that I have been holding this finely curated color-coded map upside down...this whole time. I saw Andrew Stelmack coming out of the recreation center. He gave me a hurried smile to which I waved and uttered some four or five lettered gibberish which I am sure had a "R", a "K" and a "D" in it. Maybe an abbreviation from my subconscious (because that sounds cool). Mina Vancardo is almost done packing and I could also see Lori Mirabelli still sitting on the bench as if she has figured the universe and knows how to save on spiritual and emotional gasoline by keeping calm and slow. Chris Albert is still standing tall like his tall citiscapes (Congratulations Chris for a well deserved “Best in Photography” award).

We J-walked across the Queen street, while Ismayil didn't look up, so he didn't miss any piece of the Airbnb puzzle. Aydin, Ismayil's son, was visibly elated to get away from all the crazies in the park except for the two whom he was about to get in the car with…while I appropriated my response to Andrew's nod in my head.

I know I couldn’t visit even half of the booths and must have buzzed past so many friends I promised to see. For a galaxy of such bright stars packed in a park, my apologies that I could only get a glimmer of it while I spun through the lanes like an itchy goofball. Here’s a shout out to these wonderful people and amazing artists who not only showed their work with such love but also let me steal a few minutes of their precious time. Andrew Stelmack, Mina Vancardo, Anjali Patel, Chris Albert, Eric Allen (memoryboxer), Danielle Vishnever, Susan friedman, Cat Marchese (Citybonez), Cecilia Troy, Anna Matthews, Susan Jones, Jose` Unda, Christie Baker, Armelle Leblanc, Deepi Saxena, David Adshare and Taruna Singh; thank you for creating amazing art and being such beautiful people. Now that it’s done and most of the artists are walking their way to the bank or an Art supply store for the next show, may them all get a well deserved rest before they flutter their wings again for a beautiful summer season we all are looking forward to. 

Amen.

(Photo Courtesy: Artist Network | Leslie Grove Gallery)