Featuring artworks by over 30 artists and collectives from across all nine countries of the Amazon: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela, Amazonia Açu continues at the Americas Society through April 18, 2025. Under the leadership of curatorial advisor Keyna Eleison and co-curated by a committee of representatives from all nine countries, the exhibition provides a richly insightful and visually seductive glimpse into this region, particularly its ecological and social concerns.

The entrancing image pictured above, “El Baile de los Puca-bufeos,” was painted with oil on canvas in 2009 by the late self-taught Peruvian artist Pablo Amaringo. What follows are several more images of artworks captured on my recent visit to the Americas Society on Manhattan’s Upper East Side:

Peruvian self-taught artist and indigenous activist Santiago Yahuarcani, “Amazonia II,” 2022, Natural dyes and acrylic on llanchama cortex — this particular image focuses on the rubber extraction industry‘s exploitation of the local population.

Brazilian mixed-media artist PV Dias, “Interior de uma Casa (Interior of a House)” from the series “Rasura (Erasure),” 2021, Digital painting on photograph printed on cotton paper

Guyanese artist Bernadette Indira Persaud, “Rainforest 6: ‘the edge of seasons’ (taken from the poetry of Lucille Clifton) from the series “Rainforest,” 2013, Acrylic on canvas

Ecuadorian multidisciplinary artist Angélica Alomoto, “Cuatro Caminos (Four Paths),” 2024, Acrylic and rubber sap on canvas, colored ceramic and water

Bolivian textile artist Claudia Opimí Vaca, “Bajo el Toborochi (Under the Toborochi),” 2025, Cotton fabric embroidered using an appliqué technique from the Tajibo community of the Bolivian Amazon, Close-up

Located at 680 Park Avenue on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, the galleries at the Americas Society can be viewed Wednesday to Saturday, 11 am to 6 pm.

Photos of artworks: Lois Stavsky

Diagnosed with AIDS in 1997, Brooklyn-based self-taught artist Reverend Joyce McDonald had for decades battled drug addiction, sexual and domestic violence and suicidal depression. Following her AIDS diagnosis, an art therapy program at the Jewish Board of Family Services introduced her to clay-making. Soon after, she was connected to Visual AIDS, a community of artists living with HIV. Since, she has created a multitude of largely autobiographical poignant and heartfelt sculptures of figures reflecting survival, love and healing.

Curated by Kyle Croft, Executive Director of Visual AIDS, in collaboration with the Bronx Museum, Ministry: Reverend Joyce McDonald, the artist’s first museum exhibition, is a testament to Reverend Joyce McDonald‘s resilience, spirituality and humanity, along with her intuitive art-making skills.

The stirring image featured above, “Covered with Love,” was fashioned in 2003 with acrylic and fabric on air-dry clay. Several more images showcased in this remarkable exhibition follow:

“Safe in His Arms,” 2021, Acrylic, paper towel, glitter, and varnish on air-dry clay

“Beauty in the Midst (Outer Strength)” 2023, Oil on glazed ceramic

“Peace,” 2004 Clay, wood frame, fabric, Mod Podge, and fabric paint on canvas board

“Priceless Parent Protection,” 2020 Acrylic, paper, and chain on air-dry clay

“My Dad, My Hero (Willie McDonald),” 1998, House paint, Mod Podge on air-dry clay, and artist’s father’s shirt and camera

“Untitled,” 2021, Glass beads and acrylic on glazed ceramic on found ceramic

Information on programs related to the exhibition, along with opportunities to create art, can be found here. Also available at no cost in the museum’s lobby is a delightful family guide to the exhibition brimming with information and suggested activities.

Located at 1040 Grand Concourse, the Bronx Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is always free.

Photos by Lois Stavsky and Tara Murray

AHRC NYC Fisher Center, an East Harlem-based day program, provides adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities opportunities to express, hone and share their creative skills. And in partnership with the non-profit Intertwine Arts, it offers a hugely impressive fiber arts program. Currently on view at the Gallery at W83 is a delightful collection of fiber art, drawings and paintings by AHRC NYC Fisher Center artists — created with the support of teaching artists Jon Bunge, Naomi Lawrence and Anna-Maie Southern.

Featured above are yarn weavings and colored pencil drawings by the cheerful art-lover Gabriel Ruiz. What follows are several more images of artworks currently on view at the gallery at W83.

Manhattan-based artist Carol Fields, (top) “An Artist,” 2024, Marker and pen on paper & (bottom) “I Always Do This,” 2025, Marker, pen and pencil on paper

The enthusiastic and imaginative Oswald James, “Pink, Green, Blue,” 2025, Colored pencil on paper

Multimedia artist Anita Payne, “Green and Rope” and “Green,” 2025, Yarn and brass

Harlem-based artist Timotheus Davis, “Colorful Composition,” 2025, Colored pencil on paper

Passionate weaver George Hyatt, “Cityscape”, 2024, Yarn

Manhattan-based artist Jeffrey Holloway, “Bart Simpson Favorite Character,” 2025, Colored pencil on paper

“Another Part of Me” is open to the public daily from 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM through November at 150 W 83rd Street on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Admission is free.

Photos of images, Lois Stavsky

On view through October 26 at Gordon Robichaux is a solo exhibition showcasing a body of previously unseen work by Agosto Machado, the remarkable self-taught Chinese-Spanish-Filipino-American performance artist, activist, archivist and multi-media visual artist.

A prominent figure in Downtown Manhattan’s political and cultural scene, including the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, Agosto Machado is revered not only for his distinct talents, but for the support, compassion and care he offered others, particularly when AIDS was devastating his community. While visiting the exhibition, I had the opportunity to meet the touchingly tender artist, and hear first-hand the stories behind his works that are now on exhibit at Gordon Robichaux.

The beguiling altar featured above, “Arch,” — a tribute to the strikingly inventive artist Arch Connelly — was fashioned this year with pin-back buttons, silk scarf, black and white photocopy, plexiglass, l-brackets with original artwork by Arch Connelly Several more images captured from the exhibition follow:

“Anna May Wong,” 2025, Altar dedicated to the pioneering Chinese American film star with varied media including textiles, costume jewelry, human hair, Mahjong tiles, Chinese embroidered shoes, a plastic pagoda, postcards and photographs

“Untitled (Mask)” 1972/3, Plaster gauze, acrylic paint, elastic cord — worn by the artist while performing in the 1970’s

“Peter and David,” 2025, Altar with varied media including costume jewels, plastic skull, carved revolving metal tray, New York subway token, Machado’s laminated memorial card for photographer Peter Hujar, dried flower petals, matchbook, bracelet, metal Eiffel Tower given to Machado by the late multidisciplinary artist David Wojnarowic and original artwork by Thomas Lanigan-Schmidt

“Marsha,” 2025, Altar honoring the trailblazing gay liberation activist Marsha Johnson with varied media including: costume jewelry, glass objects, artist’s teeth, keys, a plastic Buddha, textile, crystal, Fai Chun decorations and original artwork by Rick Shupper

The artist with his self-portrait: “Untitled,” 1965., Acrylic on paper

Agosto Machado‘s solo exhibition can be viewed through October 26 at Gordon Robichaux. Located at 41 Union Square West, the gallery is open Friday-Sunday 12-6pm and by appointment (646-678-5532)‬.

Photos of artworks: Lois Stavsky

Showcasing over 100 artworks by Fountain House Gallery artists — from its earliest contributors to its recent members — the “25th Anniversary Exhibition” is a stirring testament to this thriving creative community. The quietly affecting image featured above, The Hope Float, was painted with oil on canvas by the gifted NYC-based Anthony Newton. A small selection of images currently on view in “25th Anniversary Exhibition” follow:

New Jersey-based self-taught artist Nicolaus Myers, “I wanted more than life could ever Grant,” 2025, Oil paints on canvas

NYC-based Puerto Rican fiber artist Alyson Vega, “Wollman Rink in Fabric,” 2025, Fabric and fiber hand and machine sewn and embroidered

Self-taught artist L.B. Berman, “925 476,” 2025, Watercolor and ink on pape

Kat Weiner, “Portrait,” 2025, Acrylic, acrylic gel gloss medium, pigment, gouache, sketching pastel on wood

Lucinda Fernandez, “The Dragonfly, Unicorn, and the Woman,” 2025, Mixed yarn, wool, cotton, and other crochet

Self-taught artist Garvin Henry, “Lights, Camera, Terror (The Night of Unwanted Guests),” 2024,

Curated by Martha Henry, the exhibit remains on view through October 29 at 702 Ninth Avenue at 48th Street in Manhattan. Fountain House Gallery hours are: Tuesday 12 – 6 p.m., Wednesday 12 – 5 p.m., Thursday and Friday 12 – 6 p.m. and Saturday 1 – 7 p.m.

Note: Fountain House Gallery and Studio provides an environment where artists living with mental illness can express their creative visions, exhibit their work, and challenge the stigma that surrounds mental illness.

Photos of artworks: Tara Murray and Lois Stavsky

On view through Oct 11, 2025 at BronxArtSpace is This Will Be My Method, an exuberant exhibition showcasing works in varied media by Bronx-based artists from ArTech Collective, AHRCNYC‘s progressive art studio.

The beguiling patterned image featured above, “Color Will Be My Method,” was fashioned this year by Frances Riordan with acrylic paint on canvas. A small sampling of artworks currently on view in this vibrant group exhibition follow:

Gisela Montalvo, “A Tropical Forest,” 2025, Acrylic paint on canvas

Mixed-media artist Earl Jaugu, “Untitled #3,” 2025, Wallpaper collage and acrylic paint on canvas

Mixed-media artist Delvis Sandoval, “Nicholas,” 2025, Buttons, fabric, felt, thread and fiberfill

Multi-media artist Cory Tyler, “3D Effect Feel ‘N’ Touch Environment,” 2025, Acrylic paint on canvas

Multi-media artist Jaime Armah “Family, Us,” 2025, Thread, fabric, found objects & wire

Eddie Carella, A Rendition of Alexis Montoya’s Naranja, 2024, Acrylic paint on canvas.

Located at 700 Manida Street (Entrance on Spofford Ave.) in Hunts Point, BronxArtSpace is open Thurs.-Fri., 2-6pm and Sat.,12-5pm. Admission is free.

Photos of images: Tara Murray and Lois Stavsky

Following a seven-year “creative hiatus,” the distinctly talented multidisciplinary artist Issa Ibrahim is today releasing his 20th recorded effort. After listening to it with great anticipation, we posed a few questions to Issa:

The songs on this album were written between 2004 and 2012. What spurred you to record and release this album at this particular time?

I am reclaiming a part of myself that had been dormant since 2015 — when Trump first announced that he was running for President. Although these song were written back then, they are as timely now as they were years ago.

How long did it take you to produce the album?

I had 12-15 notebooks filled with songs. Once I decided which songs to include, I spent 9-10 months layering the tracks on my computer.

Can you tell us something about the album’s title? Why “God’s Radio?”

When I go through a psychotic process, I feel like I’m riding a current beyond myself. And it comes out exactly the way God intended.

All of your songs are so catchy! We loved listening to them. Who have been some of your musical influences?

Among them are: Chuck Berry, Bob Dylan, the Beatles, Brian Wilson and Elvis Costello.

Who is your perceived audience? What would you like your listeners to walk away with?

With both my art and my music, I try not to have any expectations regarding my audience. I don’t want to be disappointed. But I would love my audience to appreciate the music and walk away with a feeling of hope.

Several of your songs are rife with social commentaries on racism, greed, corporate America, pretension and more. Are there any particular messages you are intent on conveying?

Inclusion, anti-capitalism, enlightenment and, particularly, maintaining hope in these desperate times.

How can folks listen to your new release?

It is being released today, September 12, on all platforms including Spotify and Apple. And you can check out new videos from the album dropping every week on YouTube.

Interview conducted by Lois Stavsky with questions by Tara Murray; paintings by Issa Ibrahim, 3 & 4 photographed by Lois Stavsky

A fair supporting and showcasing artists with disabilities, Open Invitational features a rousing range of works in varied media from seductively raw art to meticulously detailed compositions. The dazzling image of the Brooklyn Bridge pictured above is the work of Brooklyn-based LAND Gallery artist Robert Latchman. What follows are several more images of works by artists served by the studios that participated in this uplifting fair, co-founded by NYC gallerist David Fierman:

Center 4 Creative Works Philadelphia-based artist Billy Bolds, “Untitled,” 2025, Colored pencil on paper

ArTech Collective NYC-based artist Rayed Mohamed, “Untitled,” Markers on paper

Community Access Art Collective Brooklyn-based artist Cynthia Stickler, “People’s Party,” 2020, Conté crayon and ink on paper

Progressive Art Studio Collective Detroit-based artist Ronald Griggs, “My Family,” 2025, Pen and watercolor on paper

Creativity Explored San Francisco-based artist Andrew Li, “Untitled,” 2019, Ink wash and marker on paper

Living Museum Queens-based artist Nyla Isaac, “Untitled,” 2025, Acrylic on canvas

Studio Route 29, Frenchtown-based artist Katie House, “Portrait,” 2025, Acrylic on found photograph

Creative Growth Oakland-based artist Peter Salsman, “Sunset in Hayward…”, Rug

Located at 356 Broadway in Tribeca, Open Invitational continues through 5pm tomorrow, Sunday, September 7.

Photo credits: 1 & 3 Tara Murray; 2, 4-9 Lois Stavsky

The curious characters featured above were fashioned in 2018 with mixed media on paper by the wonderfully talented self-taught Virginia-based artist JJ Cromer. What follows are several more artworks created largely by self-taught artists — seen in a range of settings from galleries to art fairs.

Norwegian self-taught artist Trude Viken, “Blue Scene 5,” 2024, Oil on canvas

12-year-old, Cologne-based painter Mikail Akar, “Untitled,” Acrylic on canvas

Minnesota-based painter Alma Realm, Untitled painting (seen at this year’s Outsider Art Fair; no additional information provided)

Japanese self-taught artist Koichi Sato, “Heaven to Hell,” 2025, Colored pencil on paper

The prolific Argentina-born Neo-Expressionist artist Alejandro Caiazza, “Red Balloon,” 2024, Acrylic, collage, found objects and mixed media on canvas

Photos of images by Tara Murray and Lois Stavsky