A man who plays four harmonicas simultaneously, a 7-year-old piano prodigy, and a woman who turns mixed materials into shoe sculptures were just some of the talented constituents who were featured at State Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo’s Artist Showcase on Dec. 15 at the Forest Hills Jewish Center (FHJC).
Addabo represents District 15, which covers central and southern Queens, including most of the neighborhoods of Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Glendale, Maspeth, Middle Village, Rego Park, Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Richmond Hill, Lindenwood, South Ozone Park and South Richmond Hill.
Addabbo said the three-hour event was jam-packed, with musicians and still artists providing a feast for the senses that delighted all attendees.
“Many were surprised that so much talent was located right in their neighborhoods,” he told Caribbean Life. “Artists were able to connect with other artists, and the public was able to discover new talents.”
Addabbo said some 22 artists (seven musicians and 15 artists) participated in the one-of-a-kind event.
Brianna Rizzo, a Girl Scout Senior on a full art scholarship at Christ the King High School, brought her Gold Award project to Addabbo’s Artist Showcase.
As an Ambassador of Creative Visions who funds Students Rebuild, Addabbo said Brianna encouraged participants to be a “piece of peace.”
He said every puzzle piece designated a $5 donation from Creative Visions, for a total of $800 donated to peace-building organizations around the world.
Addabbo said Anakin Josten, 7, wowed everyone with his outstanding piano playing as people watched his fingers fly across the keyboard.
Addabbo said harmonica virtuoso Jiayi stunned audience members by playing four harmonicas at once, what he called the world’s largest and the world’s smallest.
He said passersby gazed with wonder at the shoe sculptures of artist Jennifer Merdjan. For the past 30 years, she has been making sculptures by repurposing every shoe she has worn, and she has no plans to stop.
“One could not walk through the room without stopping at Louise Naples’ table where she showcased her stunning handmade quilts,” Addabbo said. “Over the last 20 years, she has made two hundred quilts of all shapes and sizes from placemats to art quilts to king-sized bed covers.”
“I have had the honor of my quilts being displayed in numerous venues, including the offices of Sen. Joseph Addabbo and Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar, who both fervently support the art and artists of Woodhaven,” Naples said.
“Thank you to everyone who participated in our very first Artist Showcase,” Addabbo said. “It was a truly inspiring event and a wonderful opportunity to showcase the abundant talent in Senate District 15.
“We are looking forward to turning this into an annual event and having our 2nd Artist Showcase next year,” he added.
Addabbo gave special thanks to the Forest Hills Jewish Center and its Executive Director, Deborah Gregor, for their generosity in allowing the space for this event, “providing the perfect setting for a celebration of creativity and community.”
Addabbo also thanked Silk Feather Sun, one of the participants, for providing the sound system for the musicians.
“I’m always glad when Forest Hills Jewish Center has the opportunity to support our community and our local elected officials,” Gregor said. “Sen. Addabbo has been a true and consistent friend to FHJC, and this inaugural Artist Showcase is a worthy event that we are proud to have helped facilitate.”
