it’s all about the outdoors this year. I have a feeling we’ll be painting quite a lot. Street art has been flourishing all over the world, and I think folks are finally ready to support the positive effects it has on community building. Not only does it beautify the neighborhood, it brings people together “FREE OF CHARGE”.  It’s for you, its for your kids, its for the simple fact that we gotta get back what we lost when we became consumers and stopped living. Get outside this year, enjoy the sun, ride your bike, visit a garden, grow a plant, make some art, take your kids to the park, gather your friends for picnics, & BBQ’s. The recession was a blessing. The real value  these days lies in how you spend your time in a more positive authentic way. Get Free…

Shout out to ADHOC.ORG for organizing this event, and bringing everyone together to paint, cook, and have some good ol fun in the sun!

I still very much like green…

Artist hands…

Finito! There’s nothing a little community love can’t handle;)

Shana Loves All. Ask her anything she’ll know…

CERN YMI – Beautiful!!!

Planning the next set of walls for the summer…

AM catching blackbook tagz and drawings with the kids…

Haze and Cycle chillin’ enjoying the community vibe…

Got beer? Let’s stroll and check out the walls of Wellingcourt…

DEFOE…

Royce, Matt Siren…

Probotz…

VENG

Swoon…

Lady Pink, Cycle, Free5

Tristan Eaton in process. Saw the flicks last night on twitter look sick! Waiting for a final flick to drop…

Ron English

Sofia Maldonado…

Damn right I’m SOMEBODY!

Let’s go!!! Show me the way…

ahhh yes. Community gardens ROCK!!! One day, one day…I’ll have my own…

Yummy. This little plant right here in some tea puts me right to sleep;)

So pretty. I love this stuff. Agriculture class here I come!!!

Peek a Boo! I love seeing kids playing outside. Video games – no bueno. Getting dirty, running, jumping, hiding, yes! Enjoy the world kiddies. We hope you’ll improve on the seeds we’re planting these days…

My mami linda in town for Pam’s graduation next week. The fea twinz…

Ready for the new roads ahead…

That was refreshing, and peaceful. Shout out to the garden lady who hooked us up with some fresh mint for us to chew on our way back…

Back to the block party and a quick group flick with Cey Adams. TRUE SCHOOL!

Just in time for the 5 grills BBQ, arroz con pollo, guacamole dip, mole, and some very spicey jalapeno stuff…Thank you mi gente!

Keep the spirit alive, because this is what it’s all about. THANK YOU WELLING COURT COMMUNITY!!!

Everyone brought some grub. Where’s that green rice? Shana’s not playing where’s it hiding…must find the green rice…

There’s something about watching people paint. It’s very relaxing…

Frankie Velez stopped by to support. Good peoples right here;)

Kids luv!

Shout out and much love to the ADHOC team who put this whole thing together. Alison and Garrison are two amazing people! Check out and support ADHOC.ORG. Next stop Summer stage live screenpriting. See ya’ll there!!! THANK YOUUUUUUUUUUU for everything;)

You too BOGART! Your so cuuuuute…fluffy muffy…

Byeeeee Cycle hahahahha alwasy making us laugh….

Have a safe trip to Munich AM! Good times summer 2010 here we come…

Yesterday was A-MA-ZING!!! The Younity Spring Markit keeps getting better and better. Mother nature blessed us with a beautiful day full on sunshine and breeze. Shout outs, and much love to Father Tom, and the Lady of Sorrows family. Thank you for allowing us to shine and do our thang. DJ Ski-Hi, DJ Laylo, all the beautiful artists and designers, Rockafella, Full Circle Crew, 5 Crew Dynasty, Circa95, Younity gals, family, and everyone who came through and showed their support. It means so much to us, and we are so happy to share days like this with YOU!!!

Love all you guys!!!

It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood…

spring color and smiles…

DJ Ski-Hi on the 1&2’s spinning the best of Hip Hop, House, and more!

Let’s get this party started!

Time to shop! Handmade goodies, designer limited edition flyness…

Cutie pies!

Wasup Christine! Thank youuuuuuuuu

Shout out to Tina G aka PAPERSOUL for holding down the Toofly booth;) Photo by AM

What what…Chanel don’t play I want one! $$$

Ok I think it’s time we all did a fun fun colorful photoshoot! Just cuz…lol

UR NEW YORK CITY baby! Everyone need’s one of these in their crib – I got mine:)

MASAHIROOOOOOOOO….Wow your stuff is so sick! I need more feathers in my hair….love my suade purse too! thank youuuuuuu handmade goods are the BEST! Photo by: Ivette Garcia ©2010

Ill…

Antonio KEL5MH taking it back! Yes…Big Daddy Cane, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, and many more dope dope…

Hey! What you got there Mr? I’m not letting you miss the next one I want that shirt…haha ha!

FRESTHETIC got the goods! I want, I want, I want…

My sister Inks looking cute w/ her big sister’s new T! Photo by: AM

Marthalicia soaking in the sun, and getting busy on this beautiful painting. We got a Live Arts Corner planned for the nest one stay tuned…

Beautiful! Photo by: Ivette Garcia ©2010

Kelly! And all her cute little plush, and illustration works.

Loved these, I want, I want, I want…

Kids Corner time!

with lot’s and lot’s of bubbles…

SOHNUP did a awesome job of setting up an area for kids to make art. Thank you Aaron!!!

Shout out to Martha Cooper who came through to support before she hit up her NAME TAGGING Book release opening at Reed Space. Photo by: AM

Shout out to all the artists, and designers for creating such beautiful works! More flicks coming soon. TOOFLY, AM, INKS, JUNKPRINTS, FRESTHETIC, KELLY DENATO, URNEWYORK, DAVE CORTES, MARTHALICIA, SEE ONE, ANTONIO KEL5MH, MASAHIRO, EROTICA, ARIANNE ZAGER, KOOKIE KIMMIE TREATS, SOHNUP, BOWN SOAP FAMILY, and FREE5!.

DJ LAYLO ready to spin the breaks and get that linoelum blesssssssssssssed….

Kids love Linoleum! I gotcha on the next one kiddies…

Classic…

Youth team was focused! Rokafella is such an amzing teacher. Check out her classes on Tues 7-8:30 and Sun 6-7:30 $15 – Hybrid Studios 1828 Amsterdam Ave 3fl.

Thanks guys!!! Photo by: Ivette Garcia ©2010

CUZ Inc…got my back. BIG HUGGGGGGGZZZZ

THANK YOU EVERYBODY!!! Enjoy your summer, the great outdoors, family, friends, and your community.
with Love,Younity Arts Team : Toofly, Alice, Yvette, Shana, Diana, and our new gal Melissa!

Whew! Tired, but wired to chillax, and kick back for some margaritas, and shrimp fajitas….

Mmmmm’ sizzle sizzle, and the fire hazzard group tweets hah ahha!

GOOD TIMES!!! Next up: Philly Roots BBQ, Summer Stage with DJ Laylo, and Shana B-Day Crab dinner jam see ya’ll there wooohooooooo fun fun…

Back home from a relaxing weekend at Mount Tremper Arts in the Catskills, Upstate NY. Every now and then it’s good to take a break from city life and reconnect with nature…

- We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves. – Buddha

The night we arrived we made a quick and delicious home cooked meal then hit the firepit outside. Nothing like a little warmth by the fire, some sake and much needed giggles. The next morning we got a chance to soak up some sunshine as the cloudy sky cleared up, and Alice got busy with the charcol to draw. The art of  relaxation was in full effect. It had been a minute since we touched base with nature again, there’s ((( Mind.Body.Soul ))) freedom in all this green!

The Temper Arts community home. Nothing like having a grill and a kitchen with everything you can possibly need to make healthy and home cooked meals. I love chopping up that cilantro in the morning, noon, and night. Mmm’m my favorite herb:)

It’s too early to see the full blown garden and it’s flowers but you can check them out here…took some flicks last year when we discovered this place…

Speaking of discovering, you gotta take the road less traveled and seek new trails! Yes, and we heard the river and we followed the stream down the pebble pond…

determined to find the river…

We made it! The journey is the destination. Our mind really opened up at this spot. We found a beaver damn with some fallen tree trunks by the water, and chillaxed with some dry fruit and nuts. We were talking about all kinds of crazy beautiful things about life. I love moments like that where your thoughts just flow like the water…

About Mount Tremper Arts

Nestled in the Catskill Mountains, just over two hours from New York City, Mount Tremper Arts supports contemporary artists in the creation and presentation of new works of art. Founded by photographer Mathew Pokoik and choreographer Aynsley Vandenbroucke, MTA fosters an environment of creative risk taking and intellectual curiosity. It does this through an integration of performances, exhibitions, artist residencies, educational programming, and informal gatherings.

We love it here!!!

We’re coming back so get ready peeps. 8ppl max crew, all facilities included!:) >>> FALL 2010 – Younity Pow Wow Retreat!

We got yo’ pop-up shop!

Come join Younity and friends for some hip-hop style community building.

Fostering local economies for urban artrepreneurs with a conscious mindset,

it’s time for Younity’s 2nd annual Urban Arts Markit!

One-of-a-Kind -Limited Editions – Hand Crafted – Flavor

Curated by the infamous Toofly, and homegirl Yvey Hidalgo this open air markit pays homage to market life around the globe as a staple of community life and celebration where makers, fans, and collectors come to shop and mingle – 2010 style. Featuring live DJ sets, live painting, break dancers, vendors, Hondurian Valiadas, Empanadas, & American hot dogs, in the heart of New York City’s Lower East Side…

www.theyounity.com

Saturday March 6th, 2010

TOOFLY / YOUNITY ARTS booth & slide show presentation at:
Momma’s Hip Hop Kitchen
Saturday March 6th. 2-5PM
Hostos Center for Arts and Culture.
450 Grand Concourse (at 149th St.) Bronx.
FREE! and open to all ages.

www.mhhk.org

THE DREAM TEAM IS BACK!

amazing!

Slides looking DOPE!

Great backdrop images for the B-Girlz…

Yesterday was a pretty dope day. It was like 60+ degrees out. Perfect weather for the Juxtapoz interview Ricky’s working on for my illy funkster steez;) More details after the jump. If you’ve hanged with Ricky you know it’s a flashback trip down memory lane in his east village neighborhood. I lost track of time after a few blocks, flicks, and a first hand history of what used to be before “development” started carving out the heart of this city. It’s wack what’s happening to NY, but change is inevitable;( Went into the ying’s and yangs of our city hustles and kicked it at PS41 where he used to play ball, and snap on people walking by…lol! That’s the Rickster for ya. Good times, thanks Ricky!!! Looking fwd to the final piece, we’re gonna rock it;)

OH SNAP! time flies when your having fun, the LES troop wasn’t too bad. Luckily we were heading to the same spot to support our hommie Bobbito.  A Pro-Keds release party was in full swing at CSV Cultural Center. Same location where Younity’s FRESHER exhibit was up. I was amped! it was time to party, and catch up with the crew…

Here’s some flicks of the event from our boy MEL from Village Slum. The fellas; Stretch Armstrong, Rich Medina, Bobbito, Crazy Legz, Clark Kent.

Stretch & Bobbito takes me back to the early 90’s when my cousins and I gathered around a little radio dumb late! We would giggle away at Clef’s concutions as they were passed around, and tune in to 89.9FM which he recorded on cassettes! Yeah, it’s been a while now. After we got our cheese doodle munchies on, and the phone lines opened up, Kathy would call in and sweet talk Bobbito like no other! LOL, she just had that voice;) ohhhhh the memories. Happy to see these fellas STAYING TRUE after all these years. Blessed to have met the DJ’s we grew up with who layed out the illest Hip Hop/Rap tracks of our day…Congrats fellas!

Ricky had just received his burgundy Bobbito Pro-Keds that day, he was a happy camper.

I think these are Bobbitos feet? Not sure, but yeo do they make these in size 6?

There was maaaaaad love in the building, especially when we realized Yerba Buena, and Flaco Navaja were performing whooooooo! we went where the wild thing go…the dance floor baby!
( not bad for an i-phone TF pic )

Ran into our hommie Oscar, and MALUKA currently rock’n shows on some merengue acid house shit. Gonna def look out for that, she’s latina, and she’s 2FLY!

Don’t mind me I crop. LOL:)

Official GOOD TIMES!!! We turned that night into the “unofficial closing Younity Fresher party”. If you haven’t heard the Fresher closing jam has officially been cancelled. Yeah, I know…booooo!!! Folks at that CSV Cultural Center straight up hated, and f’d up our master plan. Blame it on Mercury, planet of communication and politricks. You know how it is…some people don’t get what “community” is all about. They sit behind a computer all day, carry a chip on their shoulder, and forget to “do the right thing” Whatever, I forget where people come from sometimes. At the end of the day we know who to build with, and who not to and so we keep it moving. Don’t have time to waste LIFE IS GOOD TO THOSE WHO WANT IT. Lesson of the day; don’t forget where your from or you’ll quickly lose sight of where your going…

Bob Marley; “Don’t gain the world and lose your soul, wisdom is better than silver or gold…”

DEAR COMMUNITY,

THANK YOU!!!
for your support and contributions to Younity’s third annual FRESHER exhibition. We had an amazing turn out, the event was an eco-success! We hope to continue to build with each of you, and spread our love for urban art, culture, and community.

THE YOUNITY ARTS FRESHER CREW
Photo by Martha Cooper © 2009
Toofly, Alice Mizrachi, Shana Louallen, Diana Mc Clure, Yvette Devito, Samia Grand Pierre, Inks, Little Alex, Jessica, Emilie, Tina, Alison, and our Younity Youth Team; Talia Maridueña, and Jerely Perez

GALLERY HOURS

Wednesday, October 14th
( Shana Louallen at gallery come visit! )
4:30-7:30PM

Friday, October 16th
( Toofly at Gallery Come visit! )
6-10PM

Saturday, October 17th
( Toofly, Yvette Devito, and Stephanie Land at gallery come visit! )
4:30-7:30PM

Wednesday, October 21st
( Shana Louallen at gallery Come visit! )
4:30-7:30PM

Friday, October 23rd
(  AM at gallery last chance to view! 4:30-6pm )
( CLOSING PARTY – CANCELLED )

Clemente Soto Velez
Cultural & Educational Center
October 3, 2009 – October 24, 2009
http://csvcenter.com/2005/
107 Suffolk Street
New York, NY 10002
between Rivington Street and Delancey Street
F train to Delancey

PRESSED!

PHOTOS BY TONE
http://www.photobytone.com/2009/10/374-fresher/

MARTHA COOPER BLOG
http://www.12ozprophet.com/index.php/martha_cooper/entry/younity_strikes_again/

TRENDCETERA MAGAZINE
http://www.trendceteramag.com/2009/10/the-realization-of-green-art/

KRONIKLE
http://kronikle.kidrobot.com/younity-presents-fresher-gallery-show-in-nyc/

wow guys, words can not describe how DOPE last night was. YOU HAD TO BE THERE!!! Turnout was amazing, the energy, the people, the art, the space OMG, I don’t know where to begin + I’m up way to early posting these pics, I’ve only had a few hours of sleep;( I’m gonna let the flicks do the talking. Sending a special special THANK YOU to all my peoples, friends, supporters, team, family, and everyone who came thru to share this  experience with all of us. STAY FRESH, and SPREAD LOVE…

WOMEN ROCK.

Ken! Thanks for coming, I was so happy to see you w/ the fam;)

2nd fl GALLERY…

Photo by Martha Cooper www.12oprophet.com

Jen One, and Abeni in front of my latest joint! Abeni thanks you for all your hard work on helping document YOUNITY!!!

FROZEN. I needed to re-name it…

ACB, always with us…

Amazing turn out both floors were packed!

peeps! Yvey & Jess thanks for all your help with the art sales!

Rokafella and Marthalicia beautiful souls…

Love it when kids stare at art…wonder what they wonder?

GOODWOODNYC always a hit!

PIECE BY NIZ. B-GIRLZ ASIA1, LADY CHAMP, AND AIKO. Sold to Martha Cooper;)

My sisters piece. INKS >>> handcarved mad work!

Laura Meyers, Sofia Maldonado, Lichiban…

Handmande book + Photos by Stephanie Land

Nani Chacon wood purses…Sold to Marlon;)

Martha Cooper

More flicks of art coming soon…

JAMES TOP, thanks for the interview:)

Shout out to FRESTHETIC who helped sponsor us on the sticker vinyl!;) Thanks Mikey, and Randy!

Oh shit…TONE! OMG can’t wait to see your flicks, your skillz are amazing!!!

I LOVE FLICKS!

Photo by TONE
The lovely DJ ELLE, blessed us with her selection! Got the breakers to boogie…Shout out to DJ Laylo who we missed so much! but helped us lock down the turntables. Thanks kid!

This had to be the icing on the cake. Ya’ll had to be there to experience the energy in the room, it was so gooooooood!

I love breakers…

ROKAFELLA came thru w/ the breakers crew thank yoooooouuuuuuu sweets!!!

What! Jen One doesn’t play…Love her style.

I get so happy to see all of ya!!!

Dopeness…

GOOD TIMES!!!

Shana and Diana, luv you guys!!! Thanks for all your help;)

My mighty suspect brothas…

Shout out to Emilie from Caprise Magazine, and Samia Grand Pierre from Highsnobette for all your help:)

AFTER PARTY TIME!!!  LET’S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO…

Jenevieve, Cece, Erin, Lichiban, and Marthalicia wall installation downstairs. THANK YOU! Photo by Martha Cooper

After party at SUTRA NYC who always has our back. See ya at the FRESHER closing party!!! Details coming soon…
BEHIND THE SCENES FLICKS

FRESHER 2009 installation process flicks…

Jenevieve setting it off…

I love this space…

Going w/ cardboard as our main design element. You can find it in almost every street corner, time to RECYCLE!

FRESH!

Cece Carpio, and ErinYoshi conceptualizing…

Cece getting busy on her piece…

Now for floor #2…

Yvey, Kel, and Pen helping us unpack the artwork…

Big space to fill…

My Amanda Lopez tribute flick:)

Shout out to our Younity Youth Talia, and Jerely for helping us out!

and our crew Yvey, Samia, Shana, and D…

Thanks KEL!!!

Having fun yet! LOL…

Shout out to Tristan and his team at THUNDERDOG for sponsoring us with some Fresher logo signage;)

Pammies aka INKS thank you for the lovely birds and carbon footprints!

NEXT SATURDAY!!!

YOUNITY Presents FRESHER!
An Urban Eco-Art Exhibition Featuring 42 Female Artists

PRESS HOUR: 7pm-8pm
Opening Reception: 8pm – 11pm
October 3, 2009 – October 24, 2009
Clemente Soto Velez Cultural & Educational Center
107 Suffolk Street
New York, NY 10002
between Rivington Street and Stanton Street
F train to Delancey

PRESS RELEASE BELOW>>>

PRESS CONTACT:
Shana Louallen: 
shanalovespr@gmail.com
P: 646.359.8448
www.theyounity.com
BLOG: www.theyounity.wordpress.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/younityarts
MySpace: www.myspace.com/younityspace

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

YOUNITY PRESENTS: FRESHER! AN ECO-ART EXHIBITION
- Third Annual Exhibit Features 42 Female Avant-Garde Artists Who Recycle & Create Art for the Earth -

Queens, NY (September 3, 2009)— Back for its third annual show, YOUNITY presents an eco-art exhibition entitled 
FRESHER!, opening October 3, 2009 at the Clemente Soto Velez Cultural & Educational Center in the Lower East Side section of New York City. Running until October 23, 2009, the exhibit is not the average “white-wall” art show; the all-female collective will transform the art space into an eco-funhouse of raw materials and street art. Elements such as graffiti, photography, design and construction are used to connect ideas about consumerism, environmentalism, health, and renewable energy. The private press hour from 6pm-7pm will grant access to notable, oft-unseen artists right before the public unveiling of work at 8pm. FRESHER! features main-stay YOUNITY artists such as Lady Pink, Martha Cooper, and AIKO while introducing emerging artists such as China Morbosa and Amanda Lopez. YOUNITY Co-Founders and artists, Alice Mizrachi and TOOFLY, continue to push the collective to new levels of creativity.

Exhibiting works will mask the bi-level art space with a range of colorful hand-styles, creative graphics on natural textures such as wood and abstract riffs. Some of the artworks will focus on messages about greening and preserving the earth, including recycling, pollution and even ideas about social issues. A video montage will display the collective’s latest effort to Refresh the Streets –a collaborative effort to beautify a 60ft outdoor mural in Williamsburg Brooklyn with colorful, green-themed street art by selected members of the YOUNITY.  Exhibiting artists at FRESHER! include SHIRO, Diana McClure, Kerri O’Connell, LICHIBAN, Krista Franklin, Kelly Denato, Niz, Paulina Quintana Jornet, and Cece Carpio, to name a few. Only 40 out of 300 female artists were selected to participate in this special exhibit.

“We wanted to provide a working network of opportunity for female artists,” says YOUNITY Co-founder Alice Mizrachi, “and we, as women, need a space to create art exhibitions, murals, books and a much needed archive of women’s urban contemporary art.” YOUNITY Co-founder TOOFLY adds, “Look at recent events that are affecting us and the next generation: the economy, global warming and healthcare, this is the perfect time to put on a show like FRESHER! and express our creative desire to promote green living and the improvement of our community.”

With the success of their premiere exhibit, The C R O S S O V E R, and the second annual Heart and Soul show, YOUNITY has become one of the most sought after all-female collectives to date. With that, they are devoted to passing the torch on to younger female artists through the YOUNITY Youth team. As of now, YOUNITY is in need of continued support to foster its self-publishing endeavors and independent growth. Limited edition YOUNITY t-shirts will be available for sale on opening night and online at www.theyounity.com. We will also have a very limited amount of Heart and Soul books available as well. The limited edition shirts and books will both retail for $20. Any other donations to the collective can be directed to: contribute@theyounity.com via PayPal.

About YOUNITY: YOUNITY was founded in New York City in 2007 by artists Alice Mizrachi and TOOFLY.  After spending many years involved in the art world, it became evident that urban contemporary women artists did not have a properly organized forum through which to disseminate ideas and showcase work to their contemporaries and the public at large.  The confines of galleries were too rigid and staid and the ‘white cube’ did not lend much room for personal expression and individual style.  So, Alice and TOOFLY decided to: 1) create a place where females could tell their stories in more universal, down-to-earth voices; 2) build a stable community in which they could teach the next generation of women the process of curating exhibitions and successfully spreading artistic ideas; and, 3) allow members to explore their own flavor while retaining their identity within the context of a collective body. YOUNITY is also committed to the documentation and archiving of itself as a community of unique, autonomous participants through exhibitions, new media and publishing.

YOUNITY Presents FRESHER!
PRESS HOUR: 7pm-8pm
Opening Reception: 8pm – 11pm
October 3, 2009 – October 24, 2009
Clemente Soto Velez Cultural & Educational Center
107 Suffolk Street
New York, NY 10002
between Rivington Street and Delancey Street
F train to Delancey