The Bayside Historical Society (BHS) will open a new exhibit, showcasing the grand structures of Queens that are (or ought to be, they say) city landmarks that will be on display through November 1.
Entitled “Perspectives of Queens,” the 16 drawings by artist Joe LoGuirato spotlight the borough’s architectural heritage.
“Some of the sites are up for review by the Landmarks Preservation Commission, like the Ahles House [39th Avenue and 213th Street in Bayside] and the Ridgewood Theater [on Myrtle Avenue],” said Alison McKay, BHS Archivist and Exhibit Coordinator. “Others are featured simply to call attention to the many historically significant structures there are in Queens, and to the landmark designation process.”
Other works depict Hell Gate Bridge in Astoria, Poppenhusen Institute in College Point, the Elks Lodge building in Elmhurst, Flushing Town Hall, the Jamaica Savings Bank building and lesser known masterpieces of the builder’s art, such as the stone house on 35th Avenue and Bell Boulevard in Bayside.
LoGuirato, a native New Yorker who derives inspiration from its architectural panoply, is the Art Director for the Office of Communications at Brooklyn College and an Adjunct Professor in the Art and Design Department of New York City College of Technology.
His distinctive technique of pencil on gessoed wood panel not only captures the defining elements of these important structures, but lends a unique artistic perspective to the subject matter, according to McKay.
An opening reception will be held at BHS headquarters, the Castle in Fort Totten Park, on Thursday, September 24, at 7 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. A $5 donation is requested, and advance reservations are necessary.
The entrance to Fort Totten is at the end of 212th Street, north of the Cross Island Parkway. It is easily accessible by public transportation (Q13 or Q16 bus to Fort Totten) or by car (the Cross Island Parkway has Bell Boulevard exits in both directions, and both lead immediately to 212th Street).
The “Castle” is the former Officers’ Club, originally built in the 19th century to house the first school for Army Engineers outside of West Point. A New York City landmark on the National Register of Historic Places, it is considered a worthy destination as well as a venue.
For more information, call 718-352-1548, or visit BHS online at www.baysidehistorical.org.
