How polka dots are bringing Bay Ridge together

Community art project attracts kids, seniors, curious onlookers

August 5, 2016 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

The community art project has inspired children to get involved, according to Leigh Holliday Brannan, co-owner of The Art Room. Photos courtesy of Justin Brannan

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There’s a polka dot party going on in Bay Ridge and everyone is invited to join the fun.

Inspired by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, whose work often features polka dots, the owners of The Art Room, an art school in Bay Ridge, have placed a canvas in the school’s front window at 8710 Third Ave. featuring a giant, 1960s-style peace sign, and are asking people to come in and pin polka dots on the canvas.

It’s all part of a “Community Art Peace” project dreamed up by the creative owners of The Art Room, Leigh Holliday Brannan, her husband Justin Brannan and her mother-in-law Mary Brannan.

The canvas went up in July and has quickly become the talk of Bay Ridge.

So far, scores of people, from small children to senior citizens, have accepted the invitation to put a polka dot in an around the peace symbol.

“The reaction has been great,” Holliday Brannan told the Brooklyn Eagle. “One man was walking by and told us that he couldn’t wait to put a dot on it.”

The art project was a popular draw at the Summer Stroll on 3rd event on July 22, when Third Avenue was closed to vehicular traffic from 80th Street to 90th Street and a pedestrian plaza was created to allow people to stroll the thoroughfare.

To entice visitors, Holliday Brannan has placed a sign on the sidewalk outside The Art Room with information about the project.

Holliday Brannan is an artist herself. Justin Brannan, who is currently a top aide to City Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina, was a professional musician for many years. Mary Brannan has taught art for several years.

“The community art project is great because it gives people the chance to feel like they are a part of something,” Holliday Brannan told the Eagle.

The Art Room, which opened in 2010, offers art classes for children and adults, assistance with preparing art portfolios and hosts kids’ parties.

Holliday Brannan and Mary Brannan have guided their students through projects inspired the works of Picasso, Monet and other greats.

Yayoi Kusama, who was born on March 22, 1929, is a conceptual artist known for her paintings, collages, sculpture and environmental art installations.

Her work often features psychedelic colors and repetition of patterns, as evidenced by her frequent use of polka dots. She is said to have influenced pop art legends like Andy Warhol.

The Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum and the Tate Modern have all presented retrospectives of her work.

The Art Room has sponsored community art projects before, according to Holliday Brannan. One previous project involved a wish wall where people were asked to write wishes on small pieces of paper. The papers were then posted on a wall.

The “Community Art Peace” will be up for the next few weeks. The Art Room is currently hosting a summer art camp for children and is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

For more information, call 347-560-6572.