Recess

We are hiring! Recess seeks an experienced, licensed social worker and creative practitioner to support mental health integration, healing and wellness across the organization. Artist Social Worker will serve as a key member of the Recess ecosystem, ensuring mental health integration across the organization through: individual and group counseling; trauma-informed crisis and safety intervention; psychoeducation in mental health topics; and community based referrals. The Artist Social Worker has a specific focus on weaving together art and mental health into Assembly, a trauma-informed, arts-based diversion program for system-impacted young people aged 18-26, nurturing greater self-reliance, empowerment and the long-term success of its participants. $84,000 annually Brooklyn-based. Hybrid work week with up to 2 days remote Application Deadline: July 21, 2024 Position start date: September 2024 Learn more about the role at the link in our bio 🔗 ↑

We’re excited to announce that the Recess team has grown by 2— meet Tomik Dash and Kyle Igram! Tomik Dash @tomik2point0 (he/him) is a multi-disciplinary creative, entrepreneur, activist, and the new Associate Director of Advancement at Recess. Across mediums and methods, his work centers on amplifying and advocating for queer and trans people of color. As part of this mission, Tomik is the CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Fag Rag Magazine, an evocative fine-art LGBTQ+ publication with editions in NYC, Fire Island, and Provincetown. As the Executive Director of the Black and Brown Equity Coalition, Tomik leads efforts to dismantle systemic inequities and fight for QTPOC equity and inclusion in Fire Island Pines and Cherry Grove, America’s first LGBTQ+ communities. Tomik brings his multifaceted background as an artist, activist, and entrepreneur to his new role, advancing Recess’ mission and work at the intersection of art, community, and social justice. Kyle Ingram @_kyle_ingram_ (he/him) is a Brooklyn based art handler, fabricator and spatial designer who translates artists’ ideas into tangible spaces. Starting with collaborative dialogue, Kyle then integrates technical skill with creative ingenuity to produce contemporary art exhibitions. Kyle is founder of NYA Group, a fine arts Installation and transportation provider, and has experience working in the fields of furniture fabrication, fine art installation, and international art shipping and logistics with an emphasis on international art fair logistics. For years, Kyle has worked closely with Recess Session artists to help them realize even the most complicated of exhibition designs and art handling needs. Now as Recess’s Associate Director of Facilities & Production, he brings invaluable expertise and warmth to this new role—created to synergize Recess’s installation, production, and digital operations needs. #RecessArt #RecessVoices

Repost from current #Sessionartist @helina.metaferia - Wed. 6/19, 6-9pm is the Juneteenth closing event for my project at @recessart in Brooklyn. Join us for an ancestral meditation lead by @wideawakes community: @wildcatebonybrown , @nourbatyne , @adellelin , and @ma.nush.ka . An after party will be held at @friendsandloversbk in from 10pm-2am, hosted by @wildcatebonybrown and featuring @djspinna . RSVP for the meditation workshop can be found in the link in my bio. Food will be served, and there is an optional opportunity to be photographed for my collage work. Though some of my workshops are only for BIPOC femmes, this workshop is open to all backgrounds and genders. The first image is a collage I did of @wideawakes artist-activist @wildcatebonybrown . The last several images is the collage as a vinyl mural as part of @mocada_museum sculpture park in Brooklyn for Juneteenth in 2021, in partnership with @artbridge . I can’t believe it’s been three years since helping to organize that epic Black femme block party at Fort Greene park with the @wideawakes for the unveiling of the mural. We are gathering in Brooklyn once again for a @wideawakes Juneteenth celebration, this time at @recessart , with the similar intention of holding space to commune and celebrate each other. Looking forward to two step dancing at the after party. It’s been a great six week run at Recess Art and I am excited to celebrate it with you all. . . . #recessart #wideawakes #friendsandloversbk #brooklyn #juneteenth #artist #collage #socialpractice #activism #collageart

Celebrate Juneteenth with Session artist @helina.metaferia and the @wideawakes ! Join us for a special offering featuring dance, meditation, calligraphy, conversation and more... June 19, 6-9pm, followed by an after party at @friendsandloversbk from 10pm-2am hosted by Wildcat Ebony Brown w/ DJ Spinna + Quinnette. Free with RSVP. Both links in our bio ↑ In conjunction with Helina Metaferia’s current Session project, The Meeting Place—on view through tomorrow, June 15th! Drop in hours are 12-5pm, no appointment necessary. #RecessSession #TheMeetingPlace #HelinaMetaferia #juneteenth #artist #socialpractice #socialpracticeart #collage #collageart #videoart #contemporaryart #visualart

As we enter another season of transition, today we’re highlighting 3 individuals who have been essential to developing and furthering the mission of Recess. Our organization, space, and processes would not be what they are today without the work, care, and imagination of these special people. As they exit the day-to-day Recess fray to take on individual projects, we want to send them off with immense love and appreciation. Kristina "Krissi" Bivona — Recess Printshop Founder & Former Lead Educator Jackie Chang — Former Recess Director of Advancement Helen H. Park, LCSW, MFA — Inaugural Recess Artist Social Worker Thank you Krissi, Jackie, and Helen for all that you've done and do for Recess. Show some love for these 3 in the comments or share your favorite Recess program or memory they were a part of ❤️

Tonight! Join us for Sweet Circuit Vol 4. Thursday 6/6/24 7pm @recessart PRIDE Edition 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ Poets: @tiffany_simone @gisselleyepes @alejandrooo FEATURING @najeeomar Music by @oyanoire DJ set @itsadair_ Hosted by @gosunnygo Flyer Art @kt_kennedy_ This event is a free celebration of poetry and music by POC artists. It is FREE and open to the public! DOORS AT 7pm. Short poetry open mic kicks off the night, sign up on the day at venue. “As we witness the world, multiple genocides, and what seems like endless atrocities against humanity, one of our small contributions is providing space for artists, for the poets, the musicians, space for rage and joy and everything in between. Come be in community.” - @sweetcircuit_

Tomorrow, Sat. 6/1, 2-5pm, Join Yaa Samar Dance Theatre (YSDT) Artistic Director Samar Haddad King and lead performer Samaa Wakim for a workshop and gathering exploring Palestinian culture, history, and resilience through the lens of movement and contemporary performance. Rooted in the narrative, multidisciplinary work of @yaasamardancetheatre –which believes art should be liberating, transformative and accessible to all– this discussion and movement-based workshop will explore tools for collective liberation such as: multigenerational community building, reclaiming public space/spatial justice through creative projects, and imagination as an instrument for freedom. Featuring examples from the artists’ personal work and documentation of original YSDT projects, the workshop will include conversation, a guided warm-up, improvisation, and play, culminating in traditional Palestinian dance and chant (dabke), which celebrates both culture and resistance. This workshop is open to movers of all levels and abilities. The gathering will end with reflections and discussion over Palestinian sweets and tea. Registration is required. Link in bio ↑ Part of artist Helina Metaferia’s current Session project, The Meeting Place, on view now through June 19th. #yaasamardancetheatre #themeetingplace #recessart #dance #somaticpractice #socialpractice

NYC—Don’t miss your chance to experience The Meeting Place—on view now through June 19th! Interdisciplinary artist Helina Metaferia offers this space as a site for transformative gatherings by and for BIPOC women. In addition to Metaferia’s collages, videos, and texts the space features a BIPOC feminist reading library with prompts and tools for both revolution and rest. Drop-in Hours - No RSVP needed Thursdays-Saturdays, 12-5 pm 46 Washington Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11205 #RecessSession #TheMeetingPlace #HelinaMetaferia

This Friday, May 24th, join OlaRonke Akinmowo of The Free Black Women’s Library for a writing workshop that interrogates the possibility of how Afro-Futurism, daydreaming, and worldbuilding offer portals towards safety, community, and liberation. Participants of this workshop will read and discuss the implications of Octavia Butler’s first published short story, Speech Sounds (1983), set in a post-pandemic Los Angeles dystopia. Picking up where Octavia left off, we will write and share our own stories, reading the story before the workshop is highly encouraged but not required. This workshop is for Black and POC women, femmes, and GNC folks no writing experience necessary. Part of interdisciplinary artist @helina.metaferia ’s current #RecessSession project, The Meeting Place—on view now through June 19th. The Future is Present – Building Worlds with The Free Black Women’s Library Friday, May 24, 2024, 6-9pm Free with Registration. 🔗 in our Linktree ↑

Assembly (@recessart_assembly ) is partnering with Bluestockings Corporative (@bluestockingsnyc ) for a Narcan Training session at Recess on Thursday, May 16. 2:00-3:30 PM 💥 We're going to cover narcan, test strips, safer use strategies/resources and minimizing encounters with police. This event open to the public. There will be narcan & testing trips for all participants to take home. Community safety starts here! We keep us safe. Flier by Recess fellow, @artexanateresa

Deadline Extended! We’re accepting submissions to the Recess Board Interest form until May 12th. If you or someone you know feel curious about potential alignment, check out the Board Interest Form in our bio for a full list of open board roles and requirements ↑ Image: Purple graphic that reads, “Are you our newest Board Member? - $3,000 annually for your commitment, with no expectation of financial contribution to the organization” Link to full roles & requirements in our profile.

Next week Interdisciplinary artist Helina Metaferia’s The Meeting Place, a site for transformative gatherings by and for BIPOC women, will open to the public. There will be four workshops taking place over the duration of the Session, known as Meetings. Metaferia will open the first event with her signature By Way of Revolution workshop, a performance-as-protest somatic experience open for BIPOC femmes. Workshop registration is required. Registration deadline for the By Way of Revolution worshop is Thursday, May 9! 🔗 in profile ↑ Drop-in Hours - No RSVP needed Thursdays-Saturdays, 12-5 pm Meeting #1 : By Way of Revolution Facilitated by Helina Metaferia Saturday, May 11, 2024, 2-5pm Access Note: This workshop is only open to those who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) and women (cis and trans), and gender non-conforming folks. Light refreshments will be served. All participants have the option to be photographed for Helina Metaferia’s collages at the conclusion of the workshop. Image: Helina Metaferia, The Willing (Boston), 2022. Performance still. 30 min