Habitat for Artists

A TIME TO DO , A TIME TO REFLECT

2009-11-02T13:58:00.000-08:00

We are in the last stages of taking in the various habitat studios for the winter . We have one still in New Paltz NY , on Huguenot St . We also have one left at Solar One in NYC . Another has gone indoors and is part of an Exhibit ,"Cornerstone" at Work Space Harlem . (until Nov 7th ).

In going through various papers and notes from this last year I found a piece of writing by my then 11 year old , son Aidan on the subject of UNITY . He takes on a big view with a discussion on alliances and countries' tendencies to not trust one another , which invariably leads to war. He then throws in a curve ball and I quote :

" My dad is an artist and has many believes about his art . Because his art could connect , the pieces sink in and stay connected . After a while the art would change. It might have been the colors or it could have been the whole shape. The shape would change by the removing of nails . Later the nails wold hold up a new shape with new pieces. " A reference to the many tiles people have contributed ,... he continues :

" We must use our believes to nail in place . Every new belief can separate us or make us larger.My dad's art has shaped my whole life . Some of his art was making puzzle pieces , but now he is working on a new project called " Habitat for Artists " . He has to keep taking these small sheds apart and changing them . He piles the pieces of wood in the back of his silver truck

From there he decides whether just to move their location or to make a new better habitat . I believe we must connect the pieces , like my dad has done , except in a global way for the sake of unity ."

In accordance with this sentiment I read a recent article in the NY Times by Mary Tripsas in the weekends Business section on the sharing of new innovations by companies that are of an environmentally friendly nature. In an effort to share new product ideas with out charge !!

Such as Eco-Patent Commons started in January 2008 . Following on from this will be others like the Green Xchange in 2010 . Innovations include the use of microorganisms to identify pollutants , water based shoe adhesives and packing inserts which are recyclable and use less

fossil fuels to create and transport them. Perhaps more of us can unite under larger ideas for a better world ?

During the next few weeks I 'll be sharing a short retrospective of the year's activities with an emphasis on the artists who participated in the the project from New York City to up river to New Paltz . After a lot of activity and making its time to bring it all in and give pause for reflection .

We''ll be bringing things inside again but at a new location in Harlem . Stay posted for events and times starting in January 2010.

HARLEM TALK RADIO at WORK SPACE HARLEM EXHIBIT

2009-10-30T04:06:00.000-07:00

This past Wednesday , October 28th , we were lucky enough to be invited to share our thoughts at the Closing Reception of the exhibit at Work Space Harlem with Talk Radio Harlem . Thankyou to Danielle and Nizer for coming out on what was a wet and blustery evening , to see what was going on at 2340 5th Ave . After a brief interview with me about the project , Vincent Smythe who along with Tiwana Jackson had made the habitat studio happen for the Expo last Saturday , took the role as interviewer with the artists who were part of the Corner Stone show at WSH. A wonderful event and one filled with inspired conversations on a variety of topics .

The show runs until NOVEMBER 7th .

The interviews will be available shortly , details to follow .

SCHEDULED PANELS AND SPEAKERS AT URBAN GO GREEN EXPO

2009-10-24T03:22:00.000-07:00

SATURDAY OCTOBER 24TH, As well as being the International Day of Climate Action, see www.350.org . its the 2nd Urban Go Green Expo at the Harlem Armory at 1 W 142nd St /5th Ave..

Shannon Ayala of 350. ORG. will be on the panel "Greening the Culture " at 4 30 pm ,as well as CSA farmer Tim Heuer , from Common Grounds .

Manhattan Borough President , Scott Stringer to address the Expo at 1 pm to 2 pm . Among his green projects are " Go Green East Harlem " . a collaborative community -based initiative aimed at breaking the pattern of harmful environmental conditions that have been part of East Harlem's history for decades. Dealing also with reduction and treatment of Asthma since 2008 , he has led the planting of hundreds of trees in the area . As well as opening green markets to the community with the introduction of healthy ,locally grown food in the East Harlem community . In addition to these actions he has allocated $4,225, 000 to parks and playgrounds in the borough of Manhattan.

Michael Caslin III , CEO & Chairman ( Urgent VC ) The Sustainable City Solution , will be on the Green Entrepreneurship and Careers Opportunities Panel at 3 45 pm .

Sharon Griffith of NYSERDA will be a panelist on the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Panel at 2.00pm .The Community Outreach Manager for New York Energy Smart Communities program and NYC "s Special projects for NYS Energy research and Development Authority .

There is alot more scheduled to happen , so despite the weather make an effort to stop by ,...

further details at www.urbangogreenexpo.com .

NEW HABITAT STUDIO AT THE URBAN GO GREEN EXPO

2009-10-22T04:59:00.000-07:00

Its coming right up so start clearing your schedules ,.... THE 2ND URBAN GO GREEN EXPO at the Harlem Armory this SATURDAY OCTOBER 24TH ,..... 10 to 6 pm . The Habitat for Artists project is happy to be a focal point of this green event with the installation of a NEW habitat studio by artists from Harlem and the surrounding NYC area . Featured artists will be :

DIANNE SMITH , ALEATHIA BROWN , WILLHELMINA GRANT , JEREMIAH KYLE DRAKE,VINCENT SMYTHE , BARBARA RUSSELL aka Ms B the Doodle Queen , CHANDRA TRAVIS , GLORIA ADAMS , JILL AUSTEN and RAY A. LLANOS .

I would like to thank Dionis Ortis from "Work Space Harlem " for allowing the use of work space in which we were able to build and coordinate the new studio prior to the Expo event . The studio will be on display after the Expo at the WORK SPACE HARLEM building at 2340 5th Ave .

There will be presentations by the artists on their work during the day , Tim Heuer from the Common Grounds CSA at Stonykill will be on hand to discuss other green matters as well as being a featured panelist at 4 pm ,.... there will also be a speaker who is concerned with the initiatives to LOWER Carbon emissions from the 350 Group !! Want to know more ,....drop by !

I'll be posting further details as I get confirmation of speakers and scheduled events .

ENTRY is on 142nd St off 5th Ave , 2nd floor . Look for a large brick Deco building next to an AMERICAN Storage facility (yes it is red / blue and white). Thats the 369th Armory building !

Hope to see you there for things of a greener nature ! Best SD

HABITAT STUDIOS COME IN FOR THE WINTER

2009-10-21T03:51:00.000-07:00

We are getting ready for this week end at the Harlem Armory with the Urban Go Green Expo 09 .

And next week we finish taking down the studios in New Paltz . The Studio at SCEE in Philadelphia will stay there as it looks as if it may play forward to a college near by . The Poets Walk Studio is getting refurbished and will be reinstalled next Spring. (Look for details) . We do have an errant studio upstate which will probably return to the fold in the spring and the studio at Solar 1 will be being dismantled some time in November .

People ask what happens to the studios ? Well , after getting taken apart , all the parts get stacked and we sort through them .We check which pieces need attention or replacing and we store them ready for use the next year . The point is to mix the material up as much as possible and to add new reclaimed components the next project . This way a history of material begins and each rendition becomes a part of the next chapter.

We'll be looking to build the studios this coming year more on site . That means we'll be formatting a downloadable set of plans and hopefully a video to aid in the building of a studio. This means that other artists can resource material where they are being built and we are not transporting components long distances . This will be the case with the project in Stowe ,VT.

What about the pile of studios ? We have several individual applications we are working on one looking to go to a local kid's doctor at his practice , another with a group locally in Beacon and we want more to appear at the CSA at Stonykill .

There is a larger plan a foot , but we're still in planning stage so I can't say exactly what that will be ,....YET !

Enjoy the better weather we're currently having and get out side as much as possible Best SD

URBAN GO GREEN EXPO at Harlem Armory OCT 24th

2009-10-20T06:04:00.000-07:00

This week as the leaves are turning I hope you get a chance to stop by at a Green Event ! NOW Saturday only 10 to 6 there is the Urban Go Green expo at the Harlem Armory at 142nd St and 5th Ave . (Just off the FDR heading south actually still the Harlem River Drive at that point !) There will be a number of NEW artists who have contributed to a NEW habitat studio . All materials were specifically repurposed for the habitat studio which will be showing its new art cladding this Saturday . Currently on view by appmnt at the work space Harlem at 141st St ,......

A number of the artists will be talking about their work , I'll be catching people up on things HFA with various new projects on the horizon and trying to find a HOME for this new habitat in the Harlem community . I also hope to have some of the artists who have experienced a short term residency at a habitat studio over the past couple of years to answer questions and give a short presentation .

I'm going into today to see how things are looking and check it all goes together , so it can come apart to come together for this SATURDAY , so more soon Later SD

PS The SUNY Campus Habitat Studio officially came down October 15th despite the snow flurries that accompanied the journey home . The two remaining are up until the 26th so stop by to take a look , that's Main St and Huguenot St (NOW only 6 days left !!) NEW PALTZ NY.

Urban Go Green Expo 09

2009-10-08T07:56:00.001-07:00

WORK SPACE HARLEM studios hosts Habitat Studio

2009-10-07T18:49:00.000-07:00

This weekend and in collaboration with HOAST (Harlem Open Artist Tour) there will be a group exhibition at the WORK SPACE HARLEM studios at 234o 5th Ave (btwn W 141st and 142nd St).

The studios will be open Saturday , October 10th , 12 to 6pm and Sunday 11th Oct 1 to 6 pm .

In room P23 the habitat studio will be part of a group exhibit of work from the studios at 2340 5th Ave. The studio is being worked on for the next 3 weeks by a variety of artists including some from the studios , before it becomes part of the Expo at the 369th Harlem Armory , next door on October 24th (10 to 6 pm ) organized by URBAN GO GREEN .

We hope to have some of the artists from the previous HFA projects at the open studios this week end . WE will keep the habitat studio at this location and erect a new habitat at the Armory to exhibit the panels which are currently being worked on as the NEW Urban GO Green studio. This will allow new artists to have an opportunity to work in and on the habitat at the Work space Harlem studios .

We are seeking a more permanent home for the habitat studio after the EXPO and hope to engage more artists in the project through a series of short term residencies .

HFA is currently seeking sponsorship to facilitate this venture , please contact us at

habitatforartists @gmail.com

NEW PROJECT IN BEACON NY 2010

2009-10-03T07:37:00.000-07:00

I know we haven't finished with 2009 yet and there are projects still going on at various locations, BUT I did want to get the ball rolling with a project that is very close to me for various reasons. This our partnering with the CSA at Stonykill , Beacon NY .

As you may already know we have one studio there NOW and it will provide storage for various items over the winter . With recent conversations and more to come with the farmers Tim and Devin , the idea of putting more studios for artists to use next year came about .

BUT it depends on your input , and this is where I 'd like to have readers participate (in a number of ways) conceptually and if in the region , physically . Added to this I would also like to start a campaign to raise money to pay for the installation of two additional studios and to try and have $ for each artist's residency . This is our model for community sponsored art . It's success depends on YOU !

IF you are an ARTIST in the Hudson Valley Region please contact me if you would like to be considered for a short term residency at the CSA . We hope to have a summer program with courses for kids of all ages . BUT this will depend obviously on interest and funds.

IF you would like to DONATE to this PROJECT at the CSA , ECOARTSPACE is involved with the project and contributions are TAX deductible , any amount will be welcome . Again contact me at habitatforartists@gmail.com for those details .

Once again more details will be forthcoming as we pack things away and use the winter to gather interest and ideas , as well as work on making the project available in a number of ways through the internet and small press , or downloadable book versions . Who knows we may do a HOW TO RAISE YOUR STUDIO ROOF video , available at coffee shops nearer YOU !? Later SD.

RAIN POSTPONES OUTDOOR EVENT

2009-10-03T05:35:00.000-07:00

OCTOBER 3RD the event at Solar 1 is NOW tomorrow SUNDAY OCT.4TH .This is due to the bad weather which seems to be socked in . So JOIN us tomorrow around 10 am to Raise the
Studio Roof !! All hands welcome to rebuild the Habitat Studio at E 23rd St by the East River.

ECOARTSPACE : The project room at 53 Mercer St NYC has an OPENING RECEPTION for the "DOWN TO EARTH " exhibit , PART 2 . TONIGHT at 6pm !! All the artists from the project started in Philadelphia at SCEE and some NEW additions (see listing link below).

Hope to see you at these events and to catch up on what has been developing with the project .We have an opportunity to work with a group in Germany , but we will be providing the plans through the net and hope to have a video HOW TO BUILD component as well !

Scott Gibson is hatching some wild plans with ECOPIONEER partnering with HFA and ecoartspace. BUT more on this later .

URBANGOGREEN HABITAT STUDIO is being played forward from Solar 1 to a site opposite the Harlem Armory where it will be worked on by a new group of artists , led by Vincent Smythe . Press Release with details will be posted shortly .

Stay well , stay dry see you at one of these events SOON . SD

HABITAT STUDIO TO MOVE TO HARLEM

2009-10-02T06:48:00.000-07:00

YES October 3rd at SOLAR 1 ....tomorrow providing we DON'T get rained out !!

We are at E 23rd St re locating and building the habitat studio .

Monday 5th and any one who wants to help , I will be taking apart the 'other' habitat so it can be moved to a new site in Harlem . We have a donated site where we can place the habitat studio so it can be worked on by several artists from the metropolitan area ready for the URBANGO GREEN expo at the Harlem Armory October 24 and 25th !!

More details to follow ,this is fresh off the wire .....so stay posted ! SD

Oct 3rd: ecoartspace, Solar One, & Habitat For Artists event

2009-09-24T05:26:00.000-07:00

Please join ecoartspace and Solar One on Saturday Oct. 3rd for events with the Habitat for Artists Collective.

A performance piece Mothers and Daughters at Solar One by artist Chere Krakovsky from 1 – 4pm.

Solar One - East 23rd Street and the East River, NYC
Map here.

Followed by an opening at ecoartspace NYC, for Down to Earth from 6 – 8pm

ecoartspace - 53 Mercer St. between Broome and Grand, 3rd Fl, NYC
Map here.

Down to Earth Artists:

Joan Bankemper, Knox Cummin, Stacy Levy, Ann Rosenthal/Steffi Domike, Susan Leibovitz Steinman, Simon Draper and the Habitat for Artists Collective, including Todd Sargood, Cathy Lebowitz,E Odin Cathcart and Jeff Bailey.

Additional Contributing Artists:

Jacinto Astiazarán and Fritz Haeg, Lenore Malen & The New Society for Universal Harmony, Eve Mosher, Andrea Polli and Chuck Varga, Andrea Reynosa/Kevin Vertrees-SkyDog Projects and Christy Rupp.

ecoartspace is a nonprofit operating from both the east and west coasts in a growing community of artists, designers, scientists, curators, writers, nonprofits and businesses internationally who are developing creative and innovative strategies to address our global environmental issues. We promote a diverse range of artworks that are participatory, collaborative, interdisciplinary and uniquely educational.

Facebook event page.

More information here.

OCTOBER 3RD @ SOLAR 1 NYC

2009-09-21T18:46:00.000-07:00

We are putting together an event at Solar 1 , on October 3rd . There will be various artists bringing their works and applying them to the new shed studio at 23rd St and East River . BUT before all that can happen WE will be building the NEW studio . So Sue Hope Altkin , if you are reading we will be doing that WORKSHOP ..... or more a SHED RAISING !! Bring tools , and heft .

Chere Kravosky will be doing a performance "Mothers and Daughters " bteween 1 and 4 , and there will be talks by various artists and curators including ecoartspace's Amy Lipton.

We are hoping to get a local CSA from the Hudson Valley with produce and they will also present a short talk on Alternate Farming in the Hudson Valley . Especially pertinent after the weird summer we had this year !!

We're hoping to get going around 11 , so bring tools if possible and note pads as there will be a
short step by step on how to build YOUR habitat studio .

Also presenting material we hope to have URBAN GO GREEN , inner city green initiatives from
start up opportunities to training for green jobs . We are currently working with UGG and will be showing a new habitat studio at their expo , October 24/25th at the Harlem Armory.NYC.

Here's hoping for more of this wonderful FALL weather continuing through October .

Stay posted ...SD

HABITATS IN THE HABITAT STUDIO

2009-09-20T05:25:00.000-07:00

We recently took down the habitat studio at SCENIC HUDSON's Poet's Walk Park , Redhook NY. The paintings had weathered quite well and the color for the most part still vibrant . I want to thank those of you who left their comments either on the studio or in the comments box. There was a diverse range of response to the shed , some positive some very dismissive . What I found interesting were the notions of nature and natural surroundings in which there were many points of reference to an object in the landscape. For the most part we are culturally imbued with notions of beauty or natural beauty with out a point of reference . But I'll get back to that later. Amidst this interesting and somewhat polemical range of comments we found that the creatures in the park had quickly adapted the studio to their own needs .

We found that in the rafters both hornets and yellow jackets had built extensive nests . Above the one window ants had found enough cellulose and moisture to build an extensive home. A small field mouse had established two abodes for herself and her young , one in the floor and one behind some of the artwork on the work bench. Below the habitat floor around the footings was a nest of garter snakes who were glad of the shelter. A boston creeper or similar ivy had started to climb the north side and the studio was surrounded by the various plants now growing in that field . A testament to how "Nature " adapts to changes sometimes better than humans ?

So back to those comments ,.... my musing about this come from our whole relationship to what we perceive as natural . The park at Redhook follows the tradition of classical romantic ideas in respect of landscape. Wholly european in origin with exponents such as Capability Brown in England and Downing at the turn of this century in this region. A walk in the park where we come across an object , a folly placed to intrigue , a vista , a bridge over a stream ,.... a moment to reflect or comment upon in the our course of walking. BUT this groomed landscape was created in europe by the centuries of clear cutting , building fleets of frigates for the Navy and scaling machines to lay siege to some castle ,.... and building houses .

The fields we now walk in, all along the Hudson were for the most part Forested . From this fine exponent of the classic park at Red hook we have a grand view of the untamed mountains of the Catskills a beautiful juxta position to the rolling 'tamed ' fields . The small studio shared this view with many a visitor to the park , yet for some its placement there seemed an afront to the natural beauty surrounding it rather than a compliment , both were shaped by human hand ,.....
save the mountains . Our notions of beauty in the landscape groomed by generations of classical romantic painters who ultimately influenced the Hudson River School . During the height of this Painting school , the views were being pock marked by the rise of the Industrial Revolution ,...the very Railroad that brought these painters and poets up the valley tore through many land masses and mountains in order to be built.

Many of these fine Estates in the Hudson Valley were built from this new wealth and fueled the new age of Industry and Urban dwelling .... a wonderful counter point to the landscape in the growing slums of the Lower East Side of NYC ?

Meanwhile the old residents of the habitat sudio have had to find new dwellings in their 'natural ' Habitat . Some may return to the studio at its new location in the Park next Spring .We'll see ...

In the meantime enjoy the view , and I'll be reading more comments left for thought and contemplation at the old studio at Poets Walk Park , Redhook NY.

PANEL DISCUSSION SEPTEMBER 24TH @SUNY,and MORE

2009-09-19T05:41:00.000-07:00

Wendy Bounds , will moderate a panel discussion on the habiat for artists project this Thursday evening , September 24th at 7pm on the SUNY New Paltz Campus. There will be a number of artists who participated in the project , curators Amy Lipton and Brian Wallace and Board Trustee Shai Osborn . Also joining the panel will be Richard Heyl De Ortiz Director of Public Programs at HHS . Please make a note of this event if you wish to attend , and add your comments.

SEPTEMBER 9th Saw the dismantling of the Ecotones Show at the Dorsky Museum at SUNY
with the "in museum" habitat studio getting de installed . The various parts and materials will be finding their way into other habitat studios over the next few projects to come .

SEPTEMBER 10th We moved the two habitat studios at SOLAR 1 in NYC to make room for their outdoor film series running over the next couple of weeks . OCTOBER 3rd we are planning a joint event with Solar1 and eoartspace . Details to be announced.

SEPTEMBER 12th Despite the grotty weather we had a wonderful turnout for the reception of the 'Down To Earth' exhibit at SCEE in Philadelphia . Thankyou to Cathy Lebowitz , Jeff Bailey and Todd Sargood who were instrumental in this project occurring and who were in attendance that day . Unfortunately Odin Cathcart couldn't be there as he had previous engagements in VT
at the Helen Day Gallery, Stowe. Thankyou to the SCEE staff who were key to the gardens surviving since planting in June ,.... and thanks to Amy Lipton , for her inspired show concept!

SEPTEMBER 14th HFA , partnering with URBAN GO GREEN , gave a presentation to the HARLEM ARTS ALLIANCE , at the theater of Riverside Church NYC to gain interest from visual artists and others in participating in the project which will be part of UGGs 2nd ANNUAL EXPO at the Harlam Armory on OCTOBER 24 /25th .Thanks to HAA Executive Director , Michael Unthink and Tiwana Jackson of UGG for making this possible .

SEPTEMBER 16th The habitat studio at SCENIC HUDSON"s , POET"s WALK Park,Redhook NY was removed from its bucolic setting to get a little 'TLC' over the winter and will return to the park at a NEW site . We will be looking for WRITERS to take up short term residencies at the studio in the Spring of 2010. Further postings about will be announced .

As you can see we have been very active of late and will be posting a variety of pix from these events. Remember we still have THREE (3) habitat studios in New Paltz , more on those Monday . Chris Brandon just finished his writers residency at HHS and will be drafting a story from the many suggested stories he collected whilst at his temporary writers shack there.

Common Grounds Farm at Stonykill had their benefit Picnic Sunday 13th and we'll be hearing how that went from Tim and Devin this week end . We were able to pay fwd some material from other studios and combine with the boards the GREEN TEENS painted during the Summer.

SCEE Philadelphia MORE PICKS

2009-08-23T08:17:00.000-07:00

MORE PIX

2009-08-23T08:09:00.001-07:00

The interior of the Studio cum Shed at SCEE Philadelphia this past week , more pix to show of this project .

The window installed at the Old Main Circle on campus at SUNY New Paltz , last month .

The first install of the habitat studio at Solar 1 , the "Hidden Drive "sign was stolen 2 days later !

A MIX OF PIX AUGUST 2009

2009-08-23T08:03:00.000-07:00

Changing the Habitat Booth at Solar 1 , to a working wall for Todd B to use this week , 8/17/09

An early stage in the Habitat studio/shed at Common Ground CSA at Stony Kill NY

Habitat Studios Update AUGUST 23rd 2009

2009-08-23T07:49:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to get some of the latest pictures up on the blog as I have been promising for some time and have been unable to get time to sort and file. Well now I have and here they are . Just a brief re-cap . I was recently in the City (NYC) and the artist, Todd Betterly has started there at the Solar 1 Habitat studio at E 23rd St and East River. We , Todd S and I were in Philly at the studio at SCEE this past Wednesday and I was in New Paltz to meet with a new resident artist

Chris Brandon , a writer , who will be starting at HHS , August 30th , this past Tuesday . Ustya is going to be extending her time at the invitation of the folks at HHS (Huguenot Historical Street). I hear that Patti Nelson has found her "pipe" and has been reconstructing the habitat studio on campus. Ayesha is back on Main and painting up a storm , she also has HFA T-shirts !! (nudge !).

A MIX OF PIX .......... above is Molly Rausch at her Lost and Found Booth on Main St New Paltz

BACK FROM PHILADELPHIA

2009-08-20T03:48:00.000-07:00

I have to say , and Todd will attest to this , I was a little nervous about what to expect. When you go away for a week on vacation you 're a bit unsure as to how much or how little , rain has fallen or things have grown (especially weeds) . SO here we are gardening from afar with reports from the center as to watering and weeding , but I had no sense of how well the plants were doing . Especially with the recent blight in our region with Tomatoes devastated ....

We had also alloted to grow in the fresh tilled soil and add some composted material , but hadn't established a feeding regime . The other gardens at the center had been built up or grown in raised beds . And used fresh organic soil from else where ,...

So we arrived at The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education on a hot ,sunny day yesterday around 11 30 ish . On first glance there was this over riding sense of things gone hay wire . The growth in that area can be staggering and the heat sometimes has a tropical feel to it.

As we entered the compound , the deer fenced area of allotments the various lots started to show signs of doing well . The tomatoes were bearing fruit , the melon plants although small were in blossom and looking healthy , and we had a few cukes in one garden .The runner beans weren't as tall as wished for but there were flowers coming in . So all in all not an August garden, but has promise to bear fruit soon ....

After a hour of weeding each lot, things were looking a lot better and when each was watered they decidedly sparkled. We then started to apply some of the new tiles to the habitat studio

which had been done by a group of children from the center's summer camp and by an adult education program near the center. We also bought material from the Main Street Habitat in New Paltz which had been painted by Todds SUNY painting class , earlier his year .

We were fortunate in between all this activity to have a visit and interview from Philadelphia columnist , Bruce Schimmel . Bruce writes for the City Paper and covers many aspects of Phillys art and cultural events , especially of a "green" nature ! After a little bit of a rusty start we got the interview going in which Bruce recorded a varied sound interview with me describing the project with all its various connections and relationships .

After getting a new reclaimed window in the one west side we cleaned up , having taken Tim and Devin's cue of painting your sheds brightly !! Tim and Devin are the Common Ground CSA farmers at Stonykill NY . A few more photos and back on the bus ,.... I mean pick up ...tools

loaded and hope nothing spills ( I always have an assortment of paint cans and open boxes of screws after an install , you never know what you might use !!)

Photos to follow. I 'd like to thank all the staff at the center who have organized the various teen volunteers , especially Zoe Cohen and Mary Salvante . In fact we met Kim our next water volunteer before leaving who'll be watering Mondays .... Many thanks .

Huguenot Habitat Studio New Paltz NY

2009-08-18T15:31:00.000-07:00

Here is the habitat studio at Huguenot Street , New Paltz , nestled in the cedar grove which has not only helped in the heat , but provided an extra layer of protection from the many summer rain storms . This has appealed to the artists who wanted a quieter residence for their 3 week working stint. There has been a great rapport with the artists who have been here this season and the various staff who run the HHS . Historical Huguenot Street not society ! Those directly involved PJ , Richard and Shari . Many Thanks !!

The Habitat Studio in Philadelphia

2009-08-18T15:19:00.000-07:00

This is the Habitat Studio in Philadelphia at The Schuykill Center (for Environmental Education)or SCEE. This was earlier in the year before our summer of torrential rains and the North east
Potato / Tomato Blight.

This particular habitat studio was sponsored by the center and curated by Amy Lipton of ecoartspace NY for the show "DOWN TO EARTH" , Artists Create Edible Landscapes. This was the precursor to our getting involved with Tim and Devin at Common Grounds CSA at Stonykill NY (near Beacon) .

Behind it it was what we referred to as the Cabana , which was a covered outdoor area which we could use for classes and prepping plants , seed trays or as a prep area for out door cooking .

One Pick up , One habitat Studio

2009-08-18T15:10:00.000-07:00

The Basic elements fit on to the back of my Tacoma p/u Truck . I've made a couple of bed attachments to "float " larger sections on and can attach by screwing down with Stimson framing hard ware . This allows quite a bit of mobility and cuts down on hand hauling. The pick up truck is the ultimate wheel barrow . I am patiently waiting for the Tacoma to have a turbo diesel model so I can use bio diesel fuel. That or they go hybrid ??

The Basic Structure

2009-08-18T15:02:00.000-07:00

Here you can see the floor attached to frame , with the 4 corner "columns " or posts with the 71 "
Rails attached horizontally ( 1 by 4 s) ...green elements in photo above, running left to right at 32" on center. The ends are framed out to produce an opening 48 by 82 high ,with a header box frame.

Habitat Studios 2009

2009-08-18T14:45:00.000-07:00

I thought it might be good to recap on how the habitat studios work this year.

In New Paltz we gained Village Board approval to put them at various sites in the village.There were limited zoning issues as they are classed as temporary structures. We recommended a 2 by 6 crib frame that was affixed to the ground with rebar or lag bolts , depending on field conditions.

Here Ryan Cronin and I attach the 2 by 4 floor frame to the 2by 6 crib frame which was partially dug in and levelled , then pinned to the ground with re-bar.