JR at the Park Slope Farmer's Market

I have been keeping a tab on JR's Inside Out Project for a while now, after seeing an installation of photos a few years ago in DUMBO. It is such a beautiful project created to share stories and connect communities, despite different backgrounds, races, religions, way of dress, or whatever else can become reason to divide us. I was delighted to see the project come to Park Slope's Middle School 51, overlooking my favorite neighborhood Sunday Farmer's Market. The walls of the school are now covered by 74 portraits of kids, creating a powerful reflection and celebration of the diversity and personality of the school itself. You can learn more about the project and discover how to participate here.

Beacon Day Trip

Last Saturday we took a day trip to Beacon, New York in the Hudson Valley. I had been wanting to get up to the Dia:Beacon Art Museum for a while now and was so excited to have a beautiful free day to do it. The  85 minute train ride from Grand Central is an event in itself--the trip runs along the Hudson River providing amazing views of Englewood Cliffs, West Point, and Bear Mountain. Beacon lies right past the Breakneck Ridge Trail, which is also a fun day trip outside of the city.

Mike and I walked from the train to Main Street, a quaint strip of artisinal cheese shops, creameries, art galleries, and restaurants. We had lunch at Max's on Main before walking back towards the river to get to the museum. The Dia:Beacon is definitely a must see for contemporary art fans. The museum itself was so spacious and bright and it was a relief not to be in a museum where you are bumping into people like in so many great museums in the NYC. There is a wonderful exhibit of Minimalist Sculptor Carl Andre on display and amazing large steel sculptures by Richard Serra that I was blown away by as I walked through them.

For a refreshing and fascinating day out of the city, I definitely recommend making the trip up to Beacon!