Materials for the Arts
Exhibition Opening: “Unraveling Threads” by Borinquen Gallo
Materials for the Arts 33-00 Northern Blvd, 3rd Floor, Long Island City, NY, United States“Extrapolating beauty in unexpected places is a way for me to feel at home, to feel safe as I nomadically inhabit and navigate different spaces and places,” shared MFTA Artist-in-Residence Borinquen Gallo about her creative practice. Born and raised in Italy, Gallo’s world perspective shifted dramatically when she moved to the Bronx at thirteen years… Read More »Exhibition Opening: “Unraveling Threads” by Borinquen Gallo
Unity is Medicine: A Curated Performance by Guadalupe Maravilla
Materials for the Arts 33-00 Northern Blvd, 3rd Floor, Long Island City, NY, United StatesJoin us for "Unity is medicine", an evening curated by Guadalupe Maravilla with performances featuring four artists: Cielo Felix-Hernandez, Tesora Garcia, Francheska Alcántara, and Cassandra Mayela Allen. This evening will arrive at a pivotal moment when people can come together to foster community, when it's more important than ever to show solidarity with our immigrant… Read More »Unity is Medicine: A Curated Performance by Guadalupe Maravilla
Between the Aisles: A Celebration of NYC’s Premier Creative Reuse Center
The Shed - Tisch Skylights 545 W 30th St, New York, United StatesYou are formally invited to “Between the Aisles,” a celebration of Materials for the Arts (MFTA)! Join us on Thursday, March 20th from 6:30 to 8:30pm at The Shed’s Tisch Skylights for drinks, hors d'oeuvres, and roaming artist performances. The evening will conclude with a retrospective short film highlighting our organization’s strides in furthering… Read More »Between the Aisles: A Celebration of NYC’s Premier Creative Reuse Center
The Moth and MFTA Present: “Better Than New” An Open-Mic Storytelling Event
Materials for the Arts 33-00 Northern Blvd, 3rd Floor, Long Island City, NY, United StatesJoin Materials for the Arts and The Moth Community Team in Long Island City for a StorySLAM on Thursday, April 17, 2025, from 6:30 — 8:30pm! Better Than New, an open mic story-telling event, will allow attendees to throw their hat in the ring to be selected at random to share a 5-minute story in accordance with… Read More »The Moth and MFTA Present: “Better Than New” An Open-Mic Storytelling Event
Beltane: Sketch Night (Summer Edition)
Materials for the Arts 33-00 Northern Blvd, 3rd Floor, Long Island City, NY, United StatesYou know what they say, April showers bring May flowers, and that expression couldn't be any more true than at MFTA’s Sketch Night on Thursday, May 1, from 6:30 — 8:30pm! Titled “Beltane,” this iteration of our popular series honors the Gaelic May Day festival and marks the beginning of summer. Curated by Anthony Kieren… Read More »Beltane: Sketch Night (Summer Edition)
Weaving Workshop with Elodie Blanchard
Materials for the Arts 33-00 Northern Blvd, 3rd Floor, Long Island City, NY, United StatesJoin fiber artist Elodie Blanchard on Thursday, May 15, from 6:30 — 8:30pm, for an evening workshop exploring weaving with upcycled textiles at the Materials for the Arts warehouse! Participants will learn applied techniques such as knotting, tying, and braiding to design and craft wall hangings or fiber art jewelry using materials sourced directly from… Read More »Weaving Workshop with Elodie Blanchard
MFTA Gallery: “Soaring High” by Daveed Baptiste
Materials for the Arts 33-00 Northern Blvd, 3rd Floor, Long Island City, NY, United StatesBorn in Port au Prince, Haiti, Baptiste immigrated to Miami, Florida at a young age alongside his two siblings. Immersed in a heavily Haitian community in Miami, Baptiste found a home away from home while navigating his cultural identity, Blackness, and queerness in this new landscape. A self-described interdisciplinary artist, Baptiste’s creative practice has evolved… Read More »MFTA Gallery: “Soaring High” by Daveed Baptiste
Opening Reception: “Soaring High” by Daveed Baptiste
Materials for the Arts 33-00 Northern Blvd, 3rd Floor, Long Island City, NY, United StatesJoin us on Thursday, June 12, 2025, from 6:30 — 8:30pm for Materials for the Arts’ first ever fashion exhibition “Soaring High” designed by MFTA Designer-in-Residence Daveed Baptiste. Baptiste’s solo exhibition explores the metamorphosis of his Haitian immigrant background, chronicling his journey through the stages of life within urban Black American society. Each look represents… Read More »Opening Reception: “Soaring High” by Daveed Baptiste
Sketch Night: PRIDE Edition
Materials for the Arts 33-00 Northern Blvd, 3rd Floor, Long Island City, NY, United StatesJoin us on Thursday, June 26, 2025 at the Materials for the Arts warehouse for our PRIDE edition of Sketch Night! Curated by Anthony Kieren and Machine Dazzle, this sketch night will feature live modeling by Ahmad Maksoud and Velvetina Taylor. As always, our sketch nights provide the necessary art materials for the evening, —sketch… Read More »Sketch Night: PRIDE Edition
Summer Family Night 2025
Materials for the Arts 33-00 Northern Blvd, 3rd Floor, Long Island City, NY, United StatesMFTA's third annual Summer Family night will be Thursday, July 17th! Join us for a lively night of artmaking.
Closing Reception: An Artist Talk with Daveed Baptiste
Materials for the Arts 33-00 Northern Blvd, 3rd Floor, Long Island City, NY, United StatesJoin us on Thursday, August 7, from 7:00 — 8:30pm for an evening with MFTA Designer-in-Residence Daveed Baptiste as he reflects on his solo exhibition, “Soaring High,” during a special artist talk and closing reception. Through a blend of fashion, narrative, and cultural symbolism, “Soaring High” examines Baptiste’s personal and creative evolution—from his Haitian roots… Read More »Closing Reception: An Artist Talk with Daveed Baptiste
August Third Thursday: Black Dye Event Led by Victor Pearlman
Materials for the Arts 33-00 Northern Blvd, 3rd Floor, Long Island City, NY, United StatesJoin us on Thursday, August 21, from 6:30 — 8:30pm at the Materials for the Arts warehouse for a Black Dye Event led by MFTA Designer-in-Residence Victor Pearlman! Attendees are welcome to bring a lightweight garment they’d like to dye that evening (think t-shirts, linens, cotton blends). Though the dyeing process will be completed at… Read More »August Third Thursday: Black Dye Event Led by Victor Pearlman