We were really happy to host Stoop Stories for this screening. The room filled up quickly, people grabbing a drink, finding a seat, catching up. When the films started, the energy shifted in that quiet way where everyone is just there together, paying attention.
The films introduced us to people who have shaped culture in their own ways: artists, designers, a poet, an ex–jazz club director. Not necessarily the people you’d expect to find all in one room, but all part of the fabric of Flatbush.
It also felt like a really natural fit with the work we currently have up by Elliot Johnson. His paintings are also about people—especially women and performers—and there was something nice about moving between the films and the artwork, different ways of seeing similar ideas.
A lot of folks came for the screening and ended up spending time with the paintings too, which is always what we hope for.
After the screening and the Q&A, people stayed to socialize and talk. The discussion wasn’t formal or forced—just open, thoughtful, sometimes funny. It felt alive in the way that only happens when people are comfortable and stimulated by the creativity of the films.
That’s the kind of event that really fit our mission to offer an intimate, inviting experience of visual arts. Not just showing work, but creating a space where things can happen between people.
We’re really grateful to everyone who came through, and to the Stoop Stories team: Marj, Andrea and more, and to Alma Hutter for running the event.
ALL PHOTOS BELOW COURTESY OF STOOP STORIES / MARJ KLEINMAN
