By Carla Zanoni
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
INWOOD — Artist Edward Ubiera says he's doing his part to promote the virtues of locally grown produce and the farmers who grow it with T-shirts he designed in honor of the weekly Inwood Greenmarket.
“The shirts are a celebration of the market,” Ubiera, 36, said, adding that he was inspired to capture the spirit of the Greenmarket after living across the street for years.
The $35 shirt features a parade of two vegetables, an onion and cob of corn, waving a banner that reads “Eat me” and a banner below that implores people to “Support Local NY Farmers and Artists."
“It just makes art more accessible if people can put it on and wear it,” Ubiera said. "Given the context of supporting local farmers at the Inwood farmers market...I thought it would lend itself well to supporting local artists too.”
The marriage between local artists and farmers is a welcome development, said Jeanne Hodesh, publicity coordinator for Greenmarket, which is a program of GrowNYC.
“It’s one of our most community-wise supported markets and that really comes across in the market, so it’s really thrilling when we get a response from the community like this,” Hodesh said. “We are always really excited to see our market expressed in a piece of art work from one of our customers.”
Ubiera said his idea first took form as a sketch and limited edition linoleum block print before he decided to silkscreen the print in collaboration with Jason Devereaux, the owner of Nostylgia, a clothing store and tea shop on Dyckman Street that sells locally designed and produced items.
“Everybody is always talking about environment and sustainable living,” Ubiera said, “But to really put those ideas into practice you need to be part of that movement.”
