Jackie at Rockaway Taco

Sometimes it takes a village, sometimes it takes a fish taco.

Today, I would say the fish taco wins.  The Moveable Feast is in the Rockaways today and I am delighted to have my staff here to experience artful living at the beach.  First stop, Rockaway Taco.  This is the home of the $3 taco, $4 if you want a deluxe with guacamole.  Have one with fresh watermelon juice or hibiscus ice tea and hang in the back with the locals.  Awesome!

Of course, we had to have an ice for dessert.  Today there was mango, lemon and cinnamon chocolate.  Just the thing to cool yourself off with while walking to the beach.

I gave everyone the nickel tour of my house on Beach 124th Street.  We stopped off to see Andrea, our accountant, who sent everyone home with cucumbers from her garden and we continued our trek through Rockaway Park, Belle Harbor and Neponsit until we reached Fort Tilden, the home of the Rockaway Artist Alliance and the site of our High School to Art School summer program.

Daliana, Jackie, Lynn, Katie and Hoong Yee

Today was the student exhibition.  As we wandered through the building, I couldn’t help but notice the artwork was much more thoughtful and conceptual than in previous years.

The students were articulate, bright and spoke confidently about their work.  One exceptionally poised young woman, Ana, who received a large scholarship from School of Visual Arts, gave us her business card.  The parents who came were just as enthusiastic about HS2AS’s impact on their children, some of whom traveled in from places as far as Rockville Centre, Manhasset and New Jersey.

We ended our adventure munching on cupcakes, fruit and cookies at the reception while meandering through the studio space that was filled with some extremely compelling pieces by the students.

“We are going for more than just college acceptances.”  Yeon Ji said with a smile.  After an afternoon of frantic yelling, last minute installation mishaps and challenges, she was finally calm.  The show, hung on simple double strings throughout the space was stunning.  “We are going for big time scholarships.  Ana got $50,000 from SVA and Kevin got the Hadar Foundation award.  These kids can do it.”

High School to Art School at the  Rockaway Artist Alliance Studios

Sometimes all it takes is a day at the beach.

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