HOFSTRA TO HOST BACKSTRETCH WORKER ART EXHIBITION

**Please see attached image of an example of the artwork that will be on display at Hofstra University featuring original works of art and photography by backstretch workers and their families**

 

Thursday, May 31, 2012

 

Contact:  Mark Bardack

mbardack@edlewi.com

 

Joanne K. Adams

jadams@nyrainc.com

 

Dan Silver

dsilver@nyrainc.com

 

 

HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY AND B.E.S.T. TEAM UP TO PRESENT PREMIER BACKSTRETCH WORKER ART EXHIBITION AND RECEPTION

 

 

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – Hofstra University and the Backstretch Employee Service Team (B.E.S.T.) are collaborating on a premier art exhibition showcasing the talents of backstretch workers and their families. A free, public reception to open the exhibit will take place on Wednesday, June 6 at Hofstra’s Joan and Donald E. Axinn Library. The event is sponsored by Hofstra University, B.E.S.T., and The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA).

 

The exhibit, entitled “PRIDE - Celebrating the Art of the Backstretch Workers of Belmont Park and Aqueduct Racetrack,” is made up of various original works of art and photography by backstretch workers and their families, including children. Artistic expression is encouraged among the workers by B.E.S.T. as a means of relaxation and release from a long day at the track handling vital behind-the-scenes work.

 

“There are more than 20 very impressive works of art that will be on display,” said B.E.S.T. Executive Director Paul Ruchames. “They are all done by untrained, unschooled artists with remarkable talent. We deeply appreciate Hofstra’s generosity in hosting this event, bringing the rich contributions of backstretch workers to light. In fact, this is the first of what we hope will be an ongoing collaboration with Hofstra University.”

 

The exhibit will open with a bilingual reception including brief remarks by Ruchames; Bronwyn Hannon, the Curator of Acquisitions for Special Collections at Hofstra; and Joanne Adams, NYRA’s Director of Community Relations. The relationship between B.E.S.T. and Hofstra came about as a result of NYRA’s community relations efforts and outreach. Backstretch workers and their families, as well as a number of jockeys, are expected to be in attendance. The general public is invited to the free reception.

 

The reception is being held from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Lowenfeld Gallery and Exhibition Hall on the 10^th floor of the Axinn Library on Hofstra’s South Campus and features music performed live by native Columbian saxophonist and flautist Jay Rodriguez, twice nominated for Grammy Awards as best Latin and jazz artist. 

 

Reception guests will enjoy hors d'oeuvres, beverages and an exhibition space that is surrounded by windows, offering an unrestricted view of New York City and Eastern Long Island. Free parking is available. 

 

The art exhibition is also free and will be on display for five weeks. The opening reception will take place just days before I’ll Have Another tries to become thoroughbred racing’s 12^th Triple Crown winner by capturing the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on Saturday, June 9.

 

For more information about the exhibit, or to RSVP for the reception, please contact Nuevia Greene at 516-463-6158.

 

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