SUNNYSIDE — A new photography exhibit will showcase the work of Staten Island women artists.
Elaine Mendez will open her new exhibit, UPCLOSE, next month at Wagner College of portraits of nearly 25 local artists working or next to their work. The exhibit also leads up to Mendez's second annual celebration of local women artists.
"I think we needed this," Mendez said. "I just think we need to do more of these things and just enhance the presence of these artists who basically all year long are just trying to get their work seen."
Mendez started a Kickstarter campaign last month to raise $425 to buy mattes and frames for the photos to hang in the exhibit, where people can get a book of the portraits from. She also plans to sell the book online.
The exhibit culminates on March 29 with the Swan Day celebration for women artists Mendez's hosting in Stapleton. The event will include music, dancing, spoken word and give the opportunity for any artists to display their work during, Mendez said.
"Every person the comes is more than welcome to hang a piece of art," Mendez said. "They can showcase the work so that people can come and see it and they can talk about their pieces."
Last year, Mendez noticed Staten Island had no events for Swan Day — an international event that celebrates women artists — and decided to start one up herself.
After the success of last year, Mendez got a bigger space for it and was offered an exhibition at Wagner College to lead up to the event and celebrate Women's History Month.
She decided to showcase local artists with the exhibit and spent several months photographing over 25 and getting "words of wisdom" from them to add under the shots, Mendez said.
Mendez said she wants the photos to not just highlight women who work in the borough, but inspire the younger generation to do the same.
"I think its something that will really inspire the younger generation that go to the school," Mendez said. "It would be great to inspire younger woman who are looking to the arts and seeing whats going on and what they can achieve and what's possible."
The "UPCLOSE" exhibition will have an opening reception on March 6, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., at the Hormann Library in Wagner College and run until March 29. The Swan Day celebration will be on March 28 at the Staten Island Artist Building, 73 Wave St., from 4 to 7 p.m.
