The collective works of BronxWorks artists were featured in the Culture of Belonging exhibit at the Boricua College Art Gallery. The exhibit was curated by BronxWorks Artist-in-Residence Francis Palazzolo. The artwork at Culture of Belonging are personal displays of the artists’ interests, motivations and creative activities for connecting to family heritage, community, and nourishing narratives. “This exhibit means a lot to the artists, to see their work up on the walls,” Francis said. “Sharing their art with others in the Bronx allows them to build their own community, which is so important for marginalized people.”
Artwork by artist JotJolDetail of a cardinal from an art piece by artist JotJol.
The participating artists are currently living in supportive housing residences throughout New York City. Through their creative pursuits, the artists process and share their experiences as they progressed towards obtaining permanent housing.
Artwork by Artist Ronald GloverArtwork by artist Sodin Muhsin
The artists also hosted a participatory event for the public where anyone could create a collage on a bag and engage in their own Culture of Belonging. The inspiration behind the event was the work of artist Sodin Muhsin. “It’s part of my life,” Muhsin stated about his artwork. “I’ve been living here in the Bronx since 1968, so I’ve got a lot of history here.” Muhsin lived on the streets of New York for over 20 years before moving into a BronxWorks shelter. He now lives in a supportive housing residence.
The participatory event at “Culture of Belonging” art exhibit.
BronxWorks staff and program participants, along with Boricua College students and other people from the surrounding community, attended the participatory event led by Muhsin and another artist, L.A.I.M. The finished art pieces were later displayed all around the room so they could contribute to the collective “Culture of Belonging”.
The participatory event at “Culture of Belonging” art exhibit.
L.A.I.M., one of the featured artists added, “I’m so happy to have a place to do my art now, but I wouldn’t have been able to do that without having a place to do it while I was living in the shelter. I thank BronxWorks for that.”
Artwork by exhibit artist L.A.I.M.
About Francis
Exhibit Artist L.A.I.M. (left) and BronxWorks Artist-in-Residence Francis Palazzolo (right) share a moment with L.A.I.M’s dog Chinook at the Boricua College Art Gallery
Francis Palazzolo is an Activity Coordinator and the Artist-in-Residence at BronxWorks. As the Artist-in-Residence at BronxWorks since 2016, Francis Palazzolo develops and facilitates activities with adults living in BronxWorks shelters and supportive housing locations. In addition, he curates exhibitions, leads community projects, and mentors emerging artists in the South Bronx.
Francis grew up in New Jersey and received his Master of Arts degree at NYU’s Gallatin School of Independent Study in 2000, double majoring in Fine Art and Philosophy. In his time as a working artist, Francis founded several New York City-based art studios and galleries for adults confronting social marginalization. He connected with BronxWorks in the mid-2000s as part of a small art workshop grant at our Living Room Drop-In Center, and he kept coming back every year. “At BronxWorks, my aim was, and still is, to extend the ways in which I build solidarity and community.” Through his work with New York’s unhoused population, he has seen his and his mentees’ artwork shown at the Biennale de Paris, the New York Historical Society Museum, the New Museum, Deitch Projects, and the Boricua College Art Gallery in the Bronx.
During #ItalianAmericanHeritageMonth, Francis reflects on his family’s journey to the U.S. in the late 1800s and early 1900s, with his grandfather boarding a ship bound for NYC as a stowaway. “Both sets of great grandparents are a great source of inspiration,” he says. “Their hard work and dedication provided a great foundation and model for success.”
Outside of art, Francis is a former “adrenaline junkie”, but he now enjoys going to the beach and doing nothing with his best friend and partner.
Watch CBS New York’s Coverage of the Gallery
The collective works of BronxWorks artists were featured in the Culture of Belonging exhibit at the Boricua College Art Gallery. The exhibit was curated by BronxWorks Artist-in-Residence Francis Palazzolo. The artwork at Culture of Belonging are personal displays of the artists’ interests, motivations and creative activities for connecting to family heritage, community, and nourishing narratives. “This exhibit means a lot to the artists, to see their work up on the walls,” Francis said. “Sharing their art with others in the Bronx allows them to build their own community, which is so important for marginalized people.”
Artwork by artist JotJolDetail of a cardinal from an art piece by artist JotJol.
The participating artists are currently living in supportive housing residences throughout New York City. Through their creative pursuits, the artists process and share their experiences as they progressed towards obtaining permanent housing.
Artwork by Artist Ronald GloverArtwork by artist Sodin Muhsin
The artists also hosted a participatory event for the public where anyone could create a collage on a bag and engage in their own Culture of Belonging. The inspiration behind the event was the work of artist Sodin Muhsin. “It’s part of my life,” Muhsin stated about his artwork. “I’ve been living here in the Bronx since 1968, so I’ve got a lot of history here.” Muhsin lived on the streets of New York for over 20 years before moving into a BronxWorks shelter. He now lives in a supportive housing residence.
The participatory event at “Culture of Belonging” art exhibit.
BronxWorks staff and program participants, along with Boricua College students and other people from the surrounding community, attended the participatory event led by Muhsin and another artist, L.A.I.M. The finished art pieces were later displayed all around the room so they could contribute to the collective “Culture of Belonging”.
The participatory event at “Culture of Belonging” art exhibit.
L.A.I.M., one of the featured artists added, “I’m so happy to have a place to do my art now, but I wouldn’t have been able to do that without having a place to do it while I was living in the shelter. I thank BronxWorks for that.”
Artwork by exhibit artist L.A.I.M.
About Francis
Exhibit Artist L.A.I.M. (left) and BronxWorks Artist-in-Residence Francis Palazzolo (right) share a moment with L.A.I.M’s dog Chinook at the Boricua College Art Gallery
Francis Palazzolo is an Activity Coordinator and the Artist-in-Residence at BronxWorks. As the Artist-in-Residence at BronxWorks since 2016, Francis Palazzolo develops and facilitates activities with adults living in BronxWorks shelters and supportive housing locations. In addition, he curates exhibitions, leads community projects, and mentors emerging artists in the South Bronx.
Francis grew up in New Jersey and received his Master of Arts degree at NYU’s Gallatin School of Independent Study in 2000, double majoring in Fine Art and Philosophy. In his time as a working artist, Francis founded several New York City-based art studios and galleries for adults confronting social marginalization. He connected with BronxWorks in the mid-2000s as part of a small art workshop grant at our Living Room Drop-In Center, and he kept coming back every year. “At BronxWorks, my aim was, and still is, to extend the ways in which I build solidarity and community.” Through his work with New York’s unhoused population, he has seen his and his mentees’ artwork shown at the Biennale de Paris, the New York Historical Society Museum, the New Museum, Deitch Projects, and the Boricua College Art Gallery in the Bronx.
During #ItalianAmericanHeritageMonth, Francis reflects on his family’s journey to the U.S. in the late 1800s and early 1900s, with his grandfather boarding a ship bound for NYC as a stowaway. “Both sets of great grandparents are a great source of inspiration,” he says. “Their hard work and dedication provided a great foundation and model for success.”
Outside of art, Francis is a former “adrenaline junkie”, but he now enjoys going to the beach and doing nothing with his best friend and partner.
