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New York, NY
"Creatures" Opening and Central Park
"creatures" opening


Someone's watching. The eyes of Uther stare at you from his corner no matter where you stand in the room. Dana glares back as Bump gazes into space behind her.

Photo copyright
by Richard Cornwell 2000

On Oct. 12, 2000, Richard and I went to New York, NY for my art opening at the Agora Gallery, 560 Broadway. Located about a block away from the Guggenheim in SOHO, this gallery focuses on getting exposure for emerging artists.

The show dates for "Creatures" had been previously booked by three artists for sometime, when one of the participants had to pull out because of illness. The gallery director, Ruthie, felt my series "Immediate Family Portraits, 2000" would be a good last minute substitution. I was further convinced to join the Agora family because the date of the opening was exactly one year from my first day after leaving the newspaper in 1999.

I've always wanted to travel with my cats, but this probably worked out better. I frequently have dreams of having to go somewhere, and having to pack up my cats to take with me. I'm all the time putting them in boxes or plastic bags and then worrying about their welfare. By shipping the paintings beforehand, I didn't have to worry about any of them escaping or dying during the journey. When we finally got to the reception, it was so nice to have my kitty family there on the walls, waiting for me!

'Kids on the Wall'
'Kids on the Wall'
From left to right, Bump, Silly, Charlie, Squeaker.

Photo copyright
by Dana Frostick 2000

This series of paintings is a snapshot of my family of cats during the first half of the year 2000. Because they live such short lives compared to ours, cats parade through our lives in a never ending cycle. A complex power structure exists and evolves between the ever changing units of "felinicity" which effects the behaviors of the cats involved. I have tried to capture this individuality by painting each of them in their most common states.


Support Group. Friends from Brooklyn came for the party. Right to left, Liz, Aaron and Georgia.

Photo copyright
by Dana Frostick 2000

The opening was really special for me because I got to see an old pal of mine. Liz used to be a roomie of mine for a while when I was at 806 China St. She attended the School of the Arts at VCU the same time I did and we have several mutual friends. She is also a wonderful musician and vocalist, a talent that runs in her family (her mother is a member of the group "Saffire").

Liz lives in Brooklyn now, so she was able to attend the opening with her husband Aaron and their daughter Georgia. Aaron writes screenplays and Georgia is a budding artist herself. I felt honored to have such a creative support group there for me.

Liz said that Georgia was talking about the kitties for days after the opening. I can only hope she grows up to be an art critic.

A Fish in Water. Richard fits in no matter where I drag him. He's shown here smoozing while my youngest fan, Georgia, investigates the fasinating qualities of her water.

Photo copyright
by Dana Frostick 2000

This was a first for Richard, too. He had never attended an art opening before, but you wouldn't have been able to tell if you didn't know. He was chatting with everyone and even introducing some of the other artists to each other. There were several different group shows all opening on the same evening at Agora, so it was quite a crowd.


Content at home. Minnie relaxes on the deck, seemingly unconcerned about her lack of exposure to the art world.

Photo copyright
by Dana Frostick 2000

I think my "kids" looked great all hanging there together. I had hoped that I would be able to show them as a group, so it really worked out for me. My only regret is that shortly after I finished the series, I ended up adopting an abandoned kitty I found in a parking lot. She was a little skinny thing, so I started calling her Skinny Minny. "Minerva" (her formal name) didn't get to go to New York, but I'll try to include her in the future. I was hoping to get some kind of comment from her, but the cat never said a mumbling word.


central park


Almost heaven. A Blue Heron waits patiently for a fish to come by for lunch while the city buzzes in the background.

Photo copyright
by Dana Frostick 2000

We took the train up from Richmond for both this trip and a trip we made in September to scope things out. The train is a great way to travel because it's so convenient and stress-free. There are also some beautiful views along the way between the major cities of the east coast.

We found that traveling by subway in New York is an easy way around the island. We were able to navigate to any area of the city we wanted to visit with only short walks after we emerged at our destinations.


Away from the bustling crowds. The lake can calm your nerves by getting you away from the masses. Unfortunately, you have to be underneath the surface to experience the full effects.

Photo copyright
by Dana Frostick 2000

While we were waiting to catch the train back to Richmond on Friday, October 13, we spent our afternoon in Central Park. We walked in from the south and went in a northeasterly direction past the ice skating rink and then towards the pond, which is currently being dregged and replanted.

Next, we headed to the Central Park Zoo and spent some time checking out the animals there. We visited the indoor Tropical exhibit with lots of birds and bats in a steamy plant-filled building. We saw the Snow Monkeys and the Red Panda in outdoor pens and the Polar Bears in their indoor-outdoor environment.


No Evil. The monkeys don't seem to mind free food and no predators, so why should I object to their capitivity?

Photo copyright
by Dana Frostick 2000

The Penguins and Puffins were a raucous bunch. They seemed to be in competition with the throngs of children that flocked to see them.

We also saw an otter and sealions swimming around in a pool. Even though they were cute to look at and they seemed to be happy, it still depressed me to think about all those animals being locked up for life. It just doesn't seem fair to me.


Everyday you meet quite a few. Maybe we're all just specimens in this giant zoo called Earth.

Photo copyright
by Richard Cornwell 2000

After we left the Zoo, we headed toward the lake and then over to the western side of the park to pick up the subway back to Penn Station. I took a few photos of some of the spetacular views you get from the park. It's strange to be in such a beautiful location and to see those giant buildings looming over the trees in almost every direction. There are places where you can't see any buildings, but not for very long.

I enjoyed visiting New York. I'll probably go back for more visits due to the nature of my business. But, I don't think I could ever really be comfortable there. I'm used to a lot of seclusion and space. I couldn't help feeling like I was just another monkey in the zoo!

Written on 10/28/00.


Memorable stay. For an interesting and reasonable hotel, try the Gershwin, just off 5th Ave. near the Flat Iron Building.


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