The Homefront Gallery really came alive during the opening reception of Jennifer Williams’ show on August 7.  Friends, family and neighbors came by to celebrate and the kitchen was put to use right away.  This project has been a long time in coming and much has been left out of the blog.  I thank everyone for their efforts, especially the artists who, in one way or another, will shape the identity of The Homefront Gallery—not only through their art, but their everyday lived experiences of this city.  The next step is to define to the gallery's public what it means to be “at home” in this time and place.  How can the art engage in a dialogue with the domestic and political spheres?  I look forward to the innovative approaches that artists and visitors will bring to the discussion. 

On Saturday, my friend Rona and I went to the Alice Austen House in Staten Island to see “Housed,” a contemporary photography show curated by Joseph Maida and Katie Murray.  It was wonderful to see the artworks in the middle parlor intruding in on our viewing of the orientation video, all while sitting in a chair, admiring the view outside and taking in the soft wind.  The Alice Austen House accomplishes what many house museums fail to do: embrace the idea that our reading of the past is constantly confronted by our understanding in the present.  What I remember most about our visit is seeing long tables and decorations on the lawn of this Victorian cottage.  We drove by again later and saw people walking up for a special event.