For the sixth year in a row, Long Island City artists will open their doors to the community and give residents a sneak peek into their worlds.
LIC Arts Open, Queens’ largest art festival, was started by Richard Mazda, who is also the founder of The Secret Theatre, an arts center located in the neighborhood. Though the festival only showcased the work of visual artists when it first started, Mazda has opened it to musicians, dancers and more.
This year, the five-day festival will take place from May 18 through May 22. It began as a two-day, open-studio event but has expanded beyond art studios.
Works will also be showcased in less traditional spaces like the Falchi Building and The Factory, two large commercial buildings that are home to food shops and fashion retailers. Hundreds of artists will occupy space around Long Island City to celebrate the neighborhood’s inviting history toward artists.
“It seems impossible to think that our fifth festival a year ago and that another LIC Arts Open is upon us,” Mazda said in a statement. “Every year presents fresh challenges and this year’s preparations have been very tough, but what always sustains the team is the palpable excitement and passionate commitment of the artists, sponsors and community.”
Exhibitions and performances will take place at more than 60 venues across the neighborhood and attendees will see works by painters, sculptors, pottery makers and more. They range from experienced artists to those who are showcasing their work in a professional setting for the first time.
Each event will be free to the public and art studios will be open on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Diego Salazar Studios, located at 21-25 44th Dr., will also be open and will feature free jazz, comedy, rock and acoustic concerts.
The exhibitions will be open from May 18 through May 22 at a number of venues including Resobox Gallery, BrickHouse Ceramic Art Center and SculptureCenter. These exhibitions will be open from 5 or 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Schneps Communications, the publisher of QNS, is a media sponsor of the event. For a full list of participating venues and to learn more about the festival, click here.
