The Bronx’s Andrew Freedman Home Builds Community Through an Appreciation for the Arts
“Weekend at Auntie’s” by Jessica Spence, on display as part of “The Living Room Kitchen” (Photo Credit: Natalie Nunez)
By Natalie Nunez
Nestled on the west side of the Grand Concourse between 166th St. and McClellan Street in the Bronx, the Andrew Freedman Home is a mansion-styled community center for art and free-of-cost resources in a space that once served as a retirement home. An official landmark since 1992, the building was erected in the 1920s, modeling the Italian Renaissance Palazzo fashion by a self-made millionaire, the home’s namesake.
The Andrew Freedman Home originally served as a place of retirement for the formerly wealthy, where residents could live out the twilight of their lives lavishly from 1924 to the 1970s. The rising costs eventually forced the home to close, but in 1984 the Mid-Bronx Senior Citizens Council took ownership of the property and revamped it to what it is today: a culture and community hub that benefits the community in many ways.
The Family Preservation Center was the first community initiative placed in the Andrew Freedman Home in 1995 and still serves as a community center for various resources for people of all ages. Free daycare is offered there, as well as High School Equivalency classes and testing, immigrant education programs, and after-school and summer programs for children.
“Ma y Pa” by Raelis Vasquez, on display as part of “The Living Room Kitchen” (Photo Credit: Natalie Nunez)
Aside from many other available services including a food pantry, benefits assistance, workforce development, and case management, the Andrew Freedman Home also showcases art through exhibits like “The Living Room Kitchen,” a body of work by various local artists that focuses on home life, currently on display until April 4.
Curated by Kiara Ventura, a Dominican-American Bronx native, “The Living Room Kitchen,” depicts artwork of home and family life, aptly and thoughtfully placed around what was once the living room of the Andrew Freedman Home. The exhibit welcomes viewers to a unique New York City lifestyle experience.
Navigating the artists’ psyches involves an immersive walk through the gallery. The works include paintings, photographs, and installations: intimate glimpses of living areas and the inner workings of the creators, all of whom are local artists of color. The art ties together concepts that include culture, identity, family, and spirituality in a very poignant and uplifting way, offering a sense of empowerment and recognition of the community through art.
Installation on display as part of “The Living Room Kitchen” (Photo Credit: Natalie Nunez)
One of the first exhibits was appropriately named “No Longer Empty,” for which 20 of the former bedrooms were transformed by painters, sculptors, and graffiti artists in 2012. Since then, countless artists have exhibited their work at the home and numerous pop-ups have held space as well, including the very first Bronx Fashion Week in 2014. Since then, artwork is found around every corner of the mansion.
The Andrew Freedman Home is not just a showcasing art-space, but also a place to create. There are 14 private studios reserved for an artist residency program that offers workspace in exchange for community service.
The Andrew Freedman Home. (Photo Credit: commons.wikimedia.org)
The “The Living Room Kitchen,” exhibit will host an interactive open conversation event on March 7, in which artists talk about their upbringing, and a closing reception called “The House Party” on April 4. These events welcome the audience to socialize with the artists and have a personal experience with the community, aside from enjoying the exhibit.
