Mazzone Hardware To Open A 'Signature' Benjamin Moore Paint Store On Smith Street

Matt Mazzone (r) next to the young lady who is in charge of the Court Street Store's garden department

The location of Mazzone's new Benjamin Moore paint store

Mazzone, everyone's favorite neighborhood hardware store at470 Court Street is opening a 'Signature' Benjamin Moore store in the space formerly occupied by Starting Artists at 211 Smith Street. Matt Mazzone told me a few days ago that he hopes that the opening will coincide with the 61st Anniversary of the Court Street store. Paint will continue to be available at the flagship store as well.

According to Benjamin Moore's web site, 'Signature' stores offer a "newly upgraded and personal environment designed to support your color and paint selection."

I have no doubt that this second store will do extremely well. I joked with Matt that he needs to open a dedicated garden center next.

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Week-Long "Careers In The Creative Sector" Class For Teens At Starting Artists

photo credit: starting artists on flickr

The February Winter Break in New York City schools is next week, as most parents certainly know. If the idea of having your teen home from school for a week doesn't entirely thrill you, may I suggest this great " Careers In The Creative Sector" class at Starting Artists on Smith Street? Below is a description of the program from Starting Artists' Marissa and Lacy:

Looking for something fun & creative for your teen to do
during next week's vacation?

Winter Arts Intensive "Careers in the Creative Sector" is Feb 16-18!


In this 3-day crash course, students ages 12-19 will learn from creative professionals and master hands-on techniques from arts educators to explore careers such as product design, graphic design, photography, & more.

As always, this Intensive includes lunch every day, open studio time, and access & guidance to all SA supplies, including digital cameras!

When: Tuesday, February 16 - Thursday, February 18
11am - 5pm

Cost: $125.00 per student, scholarships available

Apply: In person at 211 Smith St, BKLYN, or online.

Learn more or apply online here!

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In Time For The Holidays: Starting Artist Holiday Pop-Up Shop

Starting Artists, the wonderful non-for-profit organization which benefits under-served teenagers in Brooklyn through hands-on classes in visual arts and entrepreneurship is having a two day show. It looks like fun. Make sure to check it.

Choose unique, hand-made items created by participants, staff, and volunteers to complete your holiday shopping this year.

The Starting Artists Holiday Pop-Up Shop will feature student-created art, decorations, crafts, and gifts all for sale right in time for the holidays! We welcome the neighborhood to stop by, visit, and shop for fun holiday gifts and crafts.

View sample merchandise on Flickr.

Saturday, December 19 from 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Sunday, December 20 from 12:00pm - 4:00pm


at 211 Smith Street, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, NY

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Toxic Gowanus Canal: Local Teens Create " Airborne Contaminants" Masks

Local artist and activist Triada Samaras just sent me the photos above from a project she worked on with local teens at Starting Artists, the non-profit organization that benefits under-served teenagers in Brooklyn through hands on training in the arts and entrepreneurship. Nice to know that the kids are getting involved in "saving the canal" that runs through their neighborhood. Great Job!
I'll let Triada tell you more:

Local teens from Starting Artists started an "Airborne Contaminants Masks" project this week at their local, artspace at 211 Smith Street in response to their feelings about living near the polluted waters and banks of the toxic Gowanus Canal. After a presentation by Brooklyn Utopias? Exhibition Curator, Katherine Gressel, and by participating and visiting artists, Triada Samaras, and Susan Konvit, these teens artists expressed deep concern over their health and safety in the event of a Gowanus Canal clean-up.

The on-going mask project, which may include works in other art/s media, will be a testament to their feelings. The teens expressed a clear desire for the safest and most comprehenive Gowanus Canal clean-up available to the public. Many live close enough to the canal to smell it on a "bad" day and cross it daily on their way to school and back.

The "Airborne Contaminants Masks" project that will be submitted in early November to the Brooklyn Utopias? Teen Art Exhibition at Starting Artists.

All Brooklyn Teens are eligible to submit an art work to this show.
Brooklyn middle and high school students: click here to submit artwork to the Brooklyn Utopias? Submissions DUE NOVEMBER 5!

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Now Open: Cobble Hill Drawing Studio Exhibit At Starting Artists

Steve Negrycz

Jay Brady

Mike Tang

Jacqueline Raque

Ernest Hutton

Pat Dawkins

Vincent Joseph

I had the pleasure of attending the opening of the Cobble Hill Drawing Studio's art opening at Starting Artists last week. This group of local artists has been getting together to draw from live models for years now. It was interesting to see their collective art and their varied interpretation of the human form.

The show will be on display until October 31. So stop by at Starting Artist at 211 Smith Street to see it.

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'Cobble Hill Drawing Studio' Art Opening At Starting Artists

The Cobble Hill Drawing Group
Art Opening
at Starting Artists
211 Smith Street
on Thursday October 8
from 6 to 9

Jacqueline Raque

Vince Joseph

Stephen Negrycz

Jen Hill

Phyllis Schlesinger

Mike Tang

John Koerner

Sally Agee

Kathleen Bliss

Jay Brady

Pat Dawkins

Todd Galitz

Charles Giraudet

Ernest Hutton

The Cobble Hill Drawing Studio's art opening at Starting Artists is going to feature the works of my three friends, Jacqueline Raque, Vince Joseph and Stephen Negrycz. The group has been drawing together for years and I am really looking forward to seeing their collective work.
The opening is open to all.
The show will be on display until October 31st.

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Winter Recess Teen Program At Starting Artists

Before you know it, it will be February and the kids will be off for winter recess.
If you are the parent of a junior or high school student, they may be interested in a great program run by Starting Artists at 211 Smith Street. Below is more information.

Does you child want to be creative and productive during his or her winter holiday break? Does he or she desire to learn about various artists and media? Instead of sitting on the couch and watching movie after movie, your child could be the one making the films. Instead of looking at others' photos on Facebook and Myspace, your child could learn about the photographic process and how to pursue a career in the art world.

Starting Artists, a non-profit organization that benefits under-served youth in Brooklyn through hands-on training in the arts and entrepreneurship, will be holding an arts intensive program during the February holiday break (16-19th). Each day students ages 10-19 will explore graphic design, digital photography, silkscreening and printmaking, and the arts as a career. Feel free to peruse the website at http://www.startingartists.org/Februar

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Starting Artists' Tag Sale This Saturday

photo credit: Starting Artists

Starting Artists, the non-profit organization that benefits under-served teenagers in Brooklyn through hands-on training through training in the arts and in entrepreneurship recently had tag sale. They raised over $800 which will benefit the organization directly. Since it was such a success, Starting Artists has scheduled a second sale. If you would like to donate or to help, contact Eleanor@ startingartists.org. Check out their fantastic programs by clicking here.



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Lots Of Great Stuff Happening At Starting Artists On Smith Street

Photo credit: Starting Artists

Lots of fun stuff is happening at Starting Artists at 211 Smith Street. Marisa Catalina Casey, executive director, has sent along the calendar of upcoming events. The not-for-profit organization benefits under-served teenagers here in Brooklyn through hands-on training in the arts and entrepreneurship.
S.A. offers programs in graphic design, photography, media arts, business classes for teens as well as adult classes in the evening.

Starting Artists' Fall Calendar

After-school Program Mondays-Thursdays 3-6pm
SA's FREE drop-in After-school program started September 15th and will continue to run 3 - 6pm on Mondays through Thursdays. Middle & high school students explore graphic design, digital photography, print-making, and business basics. See details HERE.

Tag Sale @ Starting Artists SATURDAY
Come to the SA storefront at 211 Smith St. this Saturday, September 20th from 10am-4pm for a HUGE Tag Sale with all proceeds benefiting SA. Generous supporters have donated:

* Clothing: vintage dresses, menswear, & outerwear
* Sporting goods: bicycles & skateboards
* Electronics: TVs, scanners, & printers
* Housewares: Lamps, rugs, & linens
* Accessories: jewelry, hats, & bags

***Volunteers interested in helping out are invited to price and organize items on Wednesday Sept. 17th from 10am - 2pm and on Thursday Sept. 18th from 5pm - 8pm or to help out the day of the Tag Sale please contact Marisa.

Writopia Lab Creative Writing Workshop starts SUNDAY
10 Sundays this Fall - First class: Sunday, Sept. 21st
This 10-week creative writing workshop for students 10 - 18 yrs is run by award-winning Writopia Lab and will take place at SA's 211 Smith St. space. Space is limited but still available. Sliding scale fees. Sign up HERE.

New Class: Silkscreen 101 with Saul Mizrahi
INSTRUCTOR: Saul Mizrahi
Ages 13 and over are welcome to sign up for this class covering everything from stencil design to producing a finished print. Participants may also bring t-shirts, tote bags, and additional paper to print on. See all class details HERE.

WHEN: Thursday, September 25, 2008, from 6:30-8:30 PM.
COURSE FEE: $65 Per person, all supplies included.
CONTACT: Saul for more information.

SAVE THE DATE for MICHAEL INGUI PAINTINGS
Thursday October 23rd Silent Auction 6:30 - 9:00pm
SA will be auctioning off the paintings of award-winning artist & architect Michael Ingui. A portion of the proceeds from the Opening Night Silent Auction will benefit SA's programs. Look out for more details coming soon!

Starting Artists
211 Smith Street
Brooklyn NY 11201
718 701 5483
email:info@startingartists.org

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Rent A Quiet Office Space At Starting Artists On Smith

photo credit: Starting Artists

Friends Eleanor Traubman and Marisa Catalina Casey over at Starting Artists sent me the info below. If you are in need of a place away from home to get some work done, this will be of interest to you.

Calling All Brooklyn Artists, Community Organizers, and Entrepreneurs:

(Photographers, Writers, Graphic Designers - you especially!)

Are you looking for a quiet, inspiring space to do your work?
Are you looking for a place to hold workshops or meetings?
Would you like to have free wireless access without having to buy a $5 cup of coffee?
Would you like to have access to the last IMAC desktop computers with the Adobe CS3 Creative Suite?


Starting Artists, a new nonprofit on Smith St. in Cobble Hill, is opening its doors to you!
You can either rent space at an affordable hourly rate OR in exchange for volunteering your time with the organization.

Starting Artists is a community-based nonprofit organization which benefits under-served teenagers in Brooklyn, NY through hands-on training in the arts and entrepreneurship. SA's free after-school classes in the media arts and business prepare and inspired youth to create arts-based enterprises. Evening and weekend classes for adults are available also. For more information, please visit www.startingartists.org.

To talk about space rental or barter, please contact:
Marisa Casey, Director of Starting Artists
718-701-5483 or email her at marisa@startingartists.org

[where: Starting Artists, 211 Smith Street]

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