Shake Your Soul with RonniTuesdays (10 to 11 a.m.) through October 29, 2024Hear the music, feel the vibrations, relax your mind, move your body, and energize your soul with SPNA events committee member Ronni Aronow as she guides you through a “Shake Your Soul” session on Tuesday mornings from 9 to 10 a.m. (through October 29, with an additional pop-up evening session on Thursday, August 15 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.). Click here to watch a brief video of a past SYS session.Connect to yourself, each other, and Mother Earth through movement, breathing exercises, and Qigong techniques—a powerful and fluid dance repertoire set to inspiring music from across the globe. All ages and levels are welcome. Bring water and wear sneakers and comfortable clothing. RSVP here.

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id="31" gal_title="Historic Walking Tour (June 12, 2024)"]Historic Walking TourSPNA’s historic walking tour on June 12 had a great turnout. It was organized by SPNA board member and events committee chair David Turk and led by SPNA board member and arts committee chair Todd Drake and artist and local historian Jesse Richards.One of the tour’s highlights was learning about the fascinating story of H.T. Burleigh, the first African American baritone soloist at the church (and for whom 16th Street is co-named). According to the Library of Congress, Burleigh was the “first African American composer acclaimed for his concert songs as well as for his adaptations of African American spirituals.”Attendees also found out that financier J.P. Morgan worked at St. George’s Episcopal Church, where he served as senior warden and (no surprise) treasurer. “Throughout his working life, he set aside three weeks every third year to meet with Episcopalian bishops and discuss theology,” according to Philanthropy Roundtable.The tour included exploring fascinating architecture in our neighborhood, such as the unique Quaker fence with its anti-war statement, the notorious Sahara Hotel, New York’s first “block beautiful” on East 19th Street, and how different immigrant communities have shaped our neighborhood.SPNA wishes to thank Ryan Victor Pierce again for his insights into the Native American experience. Ryan, a member of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape tribal nation in New Jersey, is the founder and artistic director of Eagle Project, a multidisciplinary theater company dedicated to exploring the American identity through the performing arts and our Native American heritage. If you have additional questions or thoughts to share with Ryan, please contact him here. 

In a nod to the rich history of Stuyvesant Square Park, which once housed a farm owned by Dutch Governor Peter Stuyvesant, the Stuyvesant Park Neighborhood Association, in collaboration with the New York Parks Department, proudly announces a unique initiative: the reintroduction of indigenous plants. To mark this endeavor, renowned artist Lee Tal has been commissioned to create five sculptures showcasing these native plants.Tal, a New York City-based multi-disciplinary artist, brings a unique perspective to his work, blending elements of sculpture and painting. His pieces, which include representations of Iris Versicolor, Purple Clematis, Smooth White Beardtongue, Swamp Rose, and Yellow Trout Lily, will be on display from June 2024 to June 2025.Tal's sculptures were picked from an open call competition put out by the Stuyvesant Park Neighborhood Association's Art Committee. Tal's work impressed the judges with its reflective beauty and connection to the past, and future of the park.Tal's art has been showcased in prestigious institutions such as the CICA Museum (South Korea); Tel Aviv Museum of the Arts, MASIN; Sinaloa Museum of Art (Mexico); Sejong National Contemporary Art Museum (South Korea); Susquehanna Art Museum (PA, USA); NDMOA Museum (ND, USA); Whitney Museum (NYC); The Hole Gallery (NYC); and the NARS Foundation (Brooklyn, NY), among others.Reflecting on the project, Tal states, "I believe that art and community go hand in hand. Through innovative concepts, we can reshape how art is experienced and shared."These sculptures, crafted from polished aluminum, not only capture the beauty of indigenous flora but also serve as educational tools, with accompanying signage explaining their significance. Their reflective surfaces serve as a reminder of our interconnectedness with nature.The unveiling of these sculptures will be celebrated on Saturday, June 1st, from 2-4 pm, with an opening event featuring refreshments, live music, and the opportunity to meet Lee Tal. In the event of rain, the celebration will be held on Sunday, June 2, from 2-4 pm.This initiative underscores the significance of public parks as both artistic sanctuaries and vital components of the urban landscape. Join us in celebrating this union of art, nature, and community.Contact Information:For more information about Lee Tal and his artwork, visit:Website: www.leetalart.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/tal.ar/