More than 125 Artspace enthusiasts attended the Builders Bash event May 21 at El Barrio Artspace PS109. The stunning, neo-Gothic former school in the East Harlem neighborhood of New York City is a landmark that now houses 90 artists and their families, with 10,000 square feet of creative space for local arts organizations. The event’s mise en scène blended historic architectural details, including gargoyle statues throughout the building, with art-filled galleries, elegant floral bouquets, and delicious bites by Gracious Thyme. A studio crawl gave guests intimate views into artists’ homes, where performances included edgy poetry, evocative jazz vocals, spectacular modern dance, and a concert from a budding, international Swedish star hosted by House of Songs. The fête than moved into a spirited program emceed by Artspace resident Osh Ghanimah. Broadway for All’s young performers of diverse backgrounds inspired the audience with musical scores, while Xianix Barrera Flamenco dancers heated things up. The live auction item—a two-night stay at the Artspace residency unit—fetched a hefty sum for the cause. The evening concluded with a Fund-a-Need for El Barrio’s Creative Arts Camp for youth, which found widespread backing. Nearly $20,000 in proceeds was raised overall, supporting Artspace’s mission to create, foster, and preserve affordable and sustainable space for artists and arts organizations.
