NAVY YARD — The artist's studio became the gallery at a series of open houses designed to show how Brooklyn creators work.
SONYA Art Walk gave people a chance to meet some of Brooklyn's most talented artists while showing them a glimpse into how they work.
More than 36 artists participated in the 15th annual art walk Saturday and Sunday. They displayed their work in cafes, restaurants, wine shops and studios throughout Fort Greene, Bed-Stuy and the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
"It's great," said Cynthia Alberto of studio Weaving Hands. "It gets people out to the Navy Yard."
The event was an opportunity for people to visit parts of Brooklyn that they otherwise would simply pass by, like an old warehouse on 47 Hall Street. Eight of the artists that work in the seven-story warehouse shared their studios with the public.
"It's cool to have people come in and take a look at my stuff," said Jonathan Nissenbaum who works on the sixth floor. "It's the one time a year all these different energies are hanging out in my space."
Upstairs on the seventh floor, three artists shared wine with art enthusiasts and showed off their work. All three of them have a unique approach to their art.
Seamus Liam Obrien, for instance, grew up in the circus and much of his art contains circus imagery. Suzy Taekyung Kim uses fabrics from the Garment District to add texture to her multi-layered pieces.
"We all know how to work together," said Cybele, who uses skeletons of animals she paints and researches each piece as if it were a thesis paper.
Down on the second floor is another studio used by multiple artists. Alberto founded Weaving Hands to teach artists how to use large weaving looms. She also works with multiple organizations to teach art to people with developmental disabilities.
"It definitely inspires me," said Amanda Heidel, who uses some of her grandfather's old tools to create pieces of art. "It's really interesting to see people's different reactions."
