By Kylie Williams
Kingston has become an epicenter for the arts in the Hudson Valley, expressing a diverse culture of creativity. Representing Kingston’s rich culture is Eureka!, a small press center and art residency. This organization has been a massive influence for local and national artists visiting the Hudson Valley, and has enabled the artists to push boundaries, creating works which advocate for justice, support and kindness for all. Their art residency, called Eureka! House, was located on Chapel Street in Kingston. However, that run of the pilot on the house has ended, leaving Eureka! with an urgency to redesign their organization. They are currently looking for an area to relocate permanently and are temporarily working out of a studio in the Shirt Factory. Despite the struggle of losing Eureka! House, the organization is using this unique situation to curate an exhibition of their artists’ archives in collaboration with D.R.A.W. at MAD, called Eureka! Presents: A Celebration of Collaboration at the D.R.A.W. Gallery in Kingston.
Publication collection at Eureka! Presents: A Celebration of Collaboration.
This exhibition is an eclectic assortment of vibrant colors, graphics and mediums, ranging from informal and outlandish motifs to serious and thought provoking themes. While looking at a few specific works in the Eureka! Collection, you can see elements of racial and political justice, sexual liberation for all genders and sexualities, equal treatment between social classes, along with motifs that inspire laughter and joy. Eureka! has transformed the D.R.A.W. Gallery into a comforting and inviting environment, providing an opportunity for people to share ideas, connect and relate, while looking at a plentiful assortment of artworks.
Monica McKelvey, “CONTROL YOUR CHILD”, 2019, printed book by Wool and Brick Press, Eureka! Collection.
Most notable in the collection is a large selection of publications from previous residential artists at Eureka! House. These works include genres of all types, ranging from written poetry to strictly image based books. For example, “CONTROL YOUR CHILD” by Wool and Brick Press, founded by Monica McKelvey Johnson, comments on the gender roles and expectations of parenthood and how patriarchy seeks to control women's choice. This book showcases medical scanning, children’s artwork and old anatomical drawings from the 17th century, creating a juxtaposed relationship between sterile scientific images and the abstracted simplicity of childhood doodles.
Danica Pantic, “Let me Balkanize You, Baby”, 2021, textile book, Eureka! Collection.
Another interesting book in the collection is “Let me Balkanize You, Baby” by Danica Pantic, which is a textile book of embroidered imagery and text, dealing with the subjects of isolation in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. The book is made from fabric Pantic used to create homemade masks in 2020, embroidered with poetry and correlating images that relate to the sensation of dread and loneliness.
Jazmine Hayes, Crossroads, 2016, pen on paper, 14”x18”, Eureka! Collection.
Along with their publications, Eureka! presents a large assortment of artworks in varying mediums from their art residents. Crossroads by Jazmine Hayes, which is a part of her collection called Bloodline, is an ink drawing which showcases African hair braiding. Hayes presents a unique perspective, displaying the braids from the crown of the head, transforming the recognizable imagery into an interesting abstracted design. The intention of this work is to exhibit the relationship between hair and African American identity, expressing the importance of preserving and representing culture. Hayes' work is just one example of the visual arts throughout this collection. There are dozens of pieces in the exhibition that represent over 50 unique artists from all over the country.
Whoop Dee Doo, Prop from Hudson River Maritime Museum Show, 2022, Eureka! Collection.
In conjunction with Eureka!’s support for visual artists is their residencies for the performing arts. A notable and reoccurring organization that had utilized the Eureka! House is the Whoop Dee Doo project. This organization creates installations and live performances that engage with local youth and non-profit organizations to create quirky free shows for the enjoyment of the community. The D.R.A.W. Gallery showcases props from Whoop Dee Doo’s past shows, along with an informational video that exhibits their creative journey with Eureka! and Kingston.
Eureka! Presents: A Celebration of Collaboration is on view from April 6th to May 18th, at the D.R.A.W. Gallery at 24 Iwo Jima Lane, in Kingston NY. This exhibition is an amalgamation of all the unseen artwork that Eureka! House residents have produced over the last three years. Most of which were up and coming artists who had lacked the opportunity and exposure to experience an art residency previously. Therefore, the exhibition is a curation of rare and exploratory art that provokes thought and inspires creativity. Eureka! Presents: A Celebration of Collaboration is a symbol of community, reflecting unity by bringing together a diverse harmony of artistic styles, mediums and ideas.
Eureka! Collection at Eureka! Presents: A Celebration of Collaboration
This piece is part of an ongoing collaboration between the Midtown Arts District and the Kingston Wire.
