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Local real estate agency Stein-Perry and The Sound of Art, an arts collective, joined forces at 350 Wadsworth Terrace for an open house that doubled as a non-traditional gallery night. Photo: Briana Heard
Story by Alexandra Rosario
What do an open house for a new residential building and an art collective have in common? Seemingly nothing, until this past Thursday night when Stein-Perry Real Estate and The Sound of Art came together to present a unique viewing occasion for art-lovers and residence-seekers.
An open house for new luxury apartments at 350 Wadsworth Avenue doubled as an art exhibit for five artists of Sound of Art on Thurs., Nov. 3rd.
A live jazz band headed by local musician Timothy Mule set up shop in one studio apartment, and the works of art were displayed on the bare walls throughout the various open rooms. Heineken, the beer company, stocked the refrigerators with beer, and snacks were readily available for all.
The apartments at 350 Wadsworth feature all new appliances, hardwood floors, granite counter tops, large windows, private terraces, and private and communal backyard and roof space. The nearby George Washington Bridge is visible from the roof, and there are sweeping views of the rest of Manhattan, with the Empire State Building twinkling in the distance. With only about half the units rented, Stein-Perry is hoping to have the rest of it filled up by the end of the month.
“It's open; we have a certificate of occupancy,” said Gus Perry, owner of Stein-Perry. “These were originally built as condos, but because of the market, we decided to rent them instead.” As he explains it, there is an even mix of native Washington Heights residents and people from other parts of the city moving into the building.
Perry endeavored to create a unique event to get more residents to see the spaces. He spoke with friend Leopold Vasquez, head of the Sound of Art collective. Sound of Art specializes in acting as a liaison between emerging artists and the public, specifically by introducing these artists in “everyday spaces” instead of traditional galleries.
“I said, ‘Why don't we do something together?’” explained Perry.
Vasquez, born and raised in Washington Heights, liked the idea of using the local “open house” as a gallery for some of his artists.
“The Sound of Art was founded on the principle of bringing art to the people in a non-traditional way,” he said. “In an open house, it makes people feel like they're at home.”
This was Vasquez's first “open house” gallery. He brought in artists from all over the city to display their artwork in the open, airy spaces that are from representative of a traditional gallery sensibility. Vasquez added that he sometimes feels like many people think viewing art is only for a certain elite set, and that a formal gallery can exaggerate that even more.
“It’s about bridging communities,” said Vasquez, of his work with Sound of Art.
Toofly, an artist raised in Queens and born in Ecuador, had her art installed in one of the rare duplex apartments in the building, which featured a studio space with a terrace and a loft space with access to a private rooftop garden. Toofly has been involved with the Sound of Art for about 10 years.
“I specialize in female imagery,” she said, as she pointed out some of her work.
Many of Toofly's paintings were done on cardboard and ripped in some places for a more gritty visual effect. Some were framed in glass to protect them, but others were frame-less to allow the full force of the image to shine through.
Toofly said she enjoyed exhibiting her work at 350 Wadsworth.
“We're all young professionals,” she said. “I love the nice loft spaces.”
For more information on the rental units available at 350 Wadworth Avenue, please contact Stein-Perry Real Estate at 212.928.3805 or at www.steinperry.com.
For more information on The Sound of Art, please see www.soundofart.net.
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