Celebrating 15!

Uptown Treasures: Past & Present (Part I)

This exhibition highlights historical sites and stories that have contributed to the diverse makeup of Washington Heights.

Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance

By: Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance

Washington Heights Then & Now (2018) by Elizabeth StarcevicNorthern Manhattan Arts Alliance

Washington Heights Now and Then

"This piece represents some of the significant neighborhood changes: the height of the buildings like the modern Bridge Apartments, the Cross Bronx Expressway, pollution, and gentrification."
Elizabeth Starcevic

Palace Dome (2009) by J Gregory CoutinhoNorthern Manhattan Arts Alliance

Palace Dome

"All the elements- the wind, the scents, the temperature, the sounds- all of this is felt and, I believe, filters through me onto the canvas, even if on the most subtle level." 
J Gregory Coutinho

Audubon Ballroom I, Tony Serio, 2008, From the collection of: Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance
,
Arches, Tony Serio, 2022, From the collection of: Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance
Show lessRead more

"Using palette knife and brushes, he explores the terrain and architecture with a richly built-up paint surface full of light and atmospheric color observed at the moment,(Audubon Ballroom). All the elements- the wind, the scents, the temperature, the sounds- all of this is felt and, I believe, filters through me onto the canvas, even if on the most subtle level (Fort Tryon Park Arches)." Tony Serio

The Gateway (2022) by Sam PoppNorthern Manhattan Arts Alliance

The Gateway

My work invites the viewer to pause, reflect, and marvel at the sheer magnificence of our surroundings, where beauty often thrives in the most unlikely places."
Sam Popp

Elevated Station, Jan Posvar, 2023, From the collection of: Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance
,
181, Jan Posvar, 2019, From the collection of: Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance
Show lessRead more

These paintings were meticulously crafted outdoors, amidst the vibrant energy of the neighborhood, where the artist immersed themselves in the sights, sounds, and atmosphere of the surrounding environment. With each brushstroke applied en plein air, these artworks capture not just the visual beauty, but also the essence and spirit of the locale, infusing it with a sense of immediacy and authenticity that can only be achieved through direct observation and interaction with the surroundings. Jan Posvar

Maduro y domino (2023) by Kim CabánNorthern Manhattan Arts Alliance

Maduro y Domino

"Through multicultural still-life objects used in my art, I capture the essence of my culture: love, music, food, and everyday life. Viewers connect to familiar objects celebrating Afro-Caribbean traditions while inviting participants to also learn about or rediscover ancestral ties." 

Kim Cabán

El Mercadito, Rene Clairin, 2023, From the collection of: Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance
Show lessRead more

I am a visual artist who runs YumaYork.NYC, an illustration and design studio. I aim to bring joy and warmth to every project taken on. Much of my  work is inspired by the culture and surroundings of my  home, Washington Heights, NYC."  Rene Clairin

A Natural Topography of Manhattan (2023) by Jacinta Bujanda-SuárezNorthern Manhattan Arts Alliance

A Natural Topography of Manhattan

"There's this interest in exploring my own cultural identity in terms of its intersections and complexities regarding race, gender, and marginalization. I am interested in continuously expanding the physical materializations that contemplating these concepts can obtain." 
Jacinta Bujanda-Suárez

Washington Crossing The Hudson, Felipe Galindo, 2019, From the collection of: Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance
,
Battle of Harlem Heights, Felipe Galindo, 2019, From the collection of: Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance
Show lessRead more

"These works are part of my project of whimsical drawings George Washington: Back In New York City‚ in which I depict our Founding Father in an imaginary return to present-day Upper Manhattan and NYC, rediscovering what he knew from his Revolutionary War days, a metropolis transformed by varied and vibrant immigrants and attempting to rationalize 21st century New York experiences. Surreal scenes unfold as cultures gently clash and George W comes to appreciate how much his country has grown. Felipe Galindo 

Nuevayorqueño (2024) by Yomira MeregildoNorthern Manhattan Arts Alliance

Nuevayorqueño

Yomira Meregildo

El Tina, Andrea Kornbluth, 2023, From the collection of: Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance
,
Different Drummer, Andrea Kornbluth, 2022, From the collection of: Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance
,
Moon Over Manhattan 8, Andrea Kornbluth, 2021, From the collection of: Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance
Show lessRead more

"The urban landscape communicates a quiet beauty. We tend to walk through our city surroundings, focused only on getting from one place to another as quickly as possible. I slow down to let details jump out and demand my attention: streaming sunlight, a dramatically cracked facade, a drummer playing for no one on a busy corner." Andrea Kornbluth  

Vintage Trinity, Martin Berman (1971) by Julie BermanNorthern Manhattan Arts Alliance

Vintage Trinity

"My father, Martin Berman (1920-1982), a CUNY mathematics professor and an anti-war and union activist, was also a serious (and prolific) amateur photographer. I first began using his vintage Nikons at Barnard College as a photographer for the Columbia Daily Spectator." 
Julie Berman

Eye See You, Jhomalys Moran, 2023, From the collection of: Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance
,
Litte Red, Big Reflection, Jhomalys Moran, 2023, From the collection of: Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance
Show lessRead more

In "Little Red, Big Reflection," I capture the timeless charm of urban landmarks, like the little red lighthouse, mirrored in rain-kissed puddle. "Eye See You!" whimsically merges vintage with modern by adorning an old Volkswagen's headlights with faux eyelashes. These photos invite viewers to rediscover the city's layers of history and quirky charm. Through playful imagery, I aim to evoke wonder and nostalgia, encouraging viewers to see familiar sights in a new light. Jhomalys Mora

J Hood Bubbles (2023) by Darcy RogersNorthern Manhattan Arts Alliance

J Hood Bubbles

"I have lived in Inwood, Manhattan for nine years and my favorite time of year to explore the neighborhood is summertime. I enjoy capturing the moments that make summer truly special- hanging out with friends, outdoors. 
Darcy Rogers

Essential Spring (Path to Cloisters) (2020) by J Gregory CoutinhoNorthern Manhattan Arts Alliance

Essential Spring (Path to Cloisters)

The intersecting cultures and energies of the Heights, flowing through "treasures" such as Fort Tryon Park and the GW Bridge, only enhance that experience."
J Gregory Coutinho

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
Explore more
Related theme
United States of Culture
From Yosemite to Broadway, take a trip around the States with more than 637 American institutions
View theme

Interested in Visual arts?

Get updates with your personalized Culture Weekly

You are all set!

Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.

Home
Discover
Play
Nearby
Favorites