BUSHWICK — If you doubted artists were transforming this neighborhood, just take one look around you next weekend and prepare to be convinced otherwise.
Bushwick Open Studios' biggest year yet — with about 800 registered spaces in the free festival, organizers said — is about to showcase the talents of professionals and amateurs, young and old, through every form of creation you might imagine.
"I think there are more artists in the neighborhood, and that more people know about Bushwick Open Studios," said organizer Lucia Rollow of the festival's growth, and noted that more spaces could still register until May 30.
Not only are more studios opening their doors, but the weekend also has added a Saturday night electronic music showcase at the bar Bossa Nova Civic Club, a Sunday film festival at Bathaus coworking space, and an official "community day" with local kids' work at Maria Hernandez Park, Rollow said.
"We’ve always tried to reach out to general community organizations but we’ve never had the manpower to coordinate something on this scale," said Rollow of the new community outreach branch of her non-profit Arts in Bushwick. "They’ve been working really hard all year in workshops with local kids and this is the culmination of that."
The festival kicks off next Friday with its ritual "launch party," this year a rock show at the venue Shea Stadium with a one-hour Brooklyn Brewery open bar at 8 p.m. and with a playful photo booth by Bushwick's successful venture The Bosco.
Other events include the unveiling of a community mural at the Moore Street Market, a performance art evening at the venue Brooklyn Fireproof, and a group show for artists without studios at 3rd Ward collective.
A full list of events can be found on Arts in Bushwick's website.
