The Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning (JCAL) is kicking off the new year with a dynamic winter lineup, featuring captivating art exhibits and interactive workshops designed to inspire and engage the Queens community through February.
Key of Life Opening Exhibition
The Key of Life Exhibition will open to the public on Jan 17. It will feature work from 10 artists picked by curators Wendy Arimah Berot and Courtney Ffrench. The opening day exhibition runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at JCAL, 161-4 Jamaica Ave. in Jamaica.
Berot told QNS that the exhibition’s name comes from Stevie Wonder’s “Songs in the Key of Life.” “There were 85 submissions in total. As usual, because of the tremendous talent that we receive, there is a challenge to narrow it down to properly represent the theme. Courtney Ffrench and I went through several iterations of the concept “Key of Life” before selecting the final 10 artists,” she said. “It was our objective to artistically interpret “keys” that we as a society use to help unlock potential, opportunity, and/or other versions of ourselves. The topic itself is vast, so there may be a part two.
Berot added that the range of literal, figurative, and sublime translations of the theme spoke to her. “There is movement in some of the artwork and yet some stand completely still in a contemplative state. Which I think gives the viewer the option to immediately agree or question the image. For me, that is what great art does,” she said.
Participating artists include Alex Lopez, Danielle Charette, Desirae Foston, Faith Bryant, Jocelyn Marie Goode, Justin Jamaal Moultrie, Marissa Lowe, Masha Neverova, Matthias Sebastiun Garry, and Teresito Paez.
Tickets are free and available here.
West African Dance Workshops
Queens residents can find their rhythm at JCAL’s free West African Dance Workshops on Tuesday, Feb 11, and Wednesday, Feb 12. Both events start at 7 p.m. and are located at 161-4 Jamaica Ave. The classes will be led by the acclaimed dance company FANIKE! African Dance Troupe ( Tuesday), and Kofago Dance Ensemble (Wednesday). The workshops are open to dancers of all experience levels and anyone interested in working a sweat.
Kofago Dance Ensemble exists at the intersection of African dance traditions and the Black experience in America. As a dance company, it focuses on healing and ritual through the performing arts. FANIKE! African Dance Troupe is an African dance company that embraces and respects the dance, rhythm, and historic and growing culture tied to the African movement. Tickets start at $10 and are available here
Valentine’s Day Paint and Sip
For those interested in the arts, head to JCAL on Valentine’s Day for a fun, creative evening with a loved one. JCAL’s teaching artist, Erica Purnell, will lead a Valentine’s Day Paint and Sip event on Friday, Feb. 14, at 8:30 p.m. The event is BYOB(bring your own bottle) and open to painters of all levels. JCAL will provide paint supplies. Couple’s discount tickets are available for $15, and individual tickets are $20. Tickets are available here
