About Sunnyside Artists
Mission: SunnysideArtists, Inc. is a 501-C-3 non-profit group of over 200 visual artists and 800 arts supporters who seek excellence in local fine art and to promote confidence in artists and supporters to self-determine what is valuable – and help all to regain our innate but often forgotten exhilaration about art, local history, culture, and community betterment – through the creation of public art exhibitions and good will events.
SunnysideArtists is local, grassroots, all volunteer, and has held 76 free admission events in Sunnyside, Woodside, and Long Island City, Queens, NYC, since its founding year, 2007, often attracting over 1000 visitors a day, excepting 2020. No member of the staff is paid.
Events include the Annual Queen of Angels Fine Art Show (church kindly sponsors as a community outreach and does not censor), the Annual Craft Fair, juried competitions, street fairs, one-person shows, Art Parties, fundraisers, the Skillman "Firewater and Fine Art, and organizing community events such as the “Du Premier Coup” speed drawing competition for children, and with Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce, 10 Luke Adams Sunnysider of the Year galas, flash mob community and firefighters singing Happy Birthday to art supporter centenarian Ethel Plimack for eight years on Thanksgiving Day. More recently, SunnysideArtists organized the online “Remembering Locals Lost to Covid" for the many locals lost, featuring local composers and performers and prayers from seven different faiths, and collected $16,500 divided among four local food pantries.
No admission fee is ever charged. A free art pin is given out every year at the Art Fair to qualify bearer to local restaurant discounts.
UPCOMING SHOWS
• Queen of Angels Crafts & Fine Art Fair November 13, 2021
• "Self Portrait," Sunnyside Artists Juried 4-week exhibition at the Copper Kettle, December 18, 2021
• Sunnyside Artists Spring Street Art Mural Competition, prospectus available February, 2022
• In planning: transit-related art event, in collaboration with Access Queens/7 Train Blues
ARTISTS
Entrants must be 17 or older and live or work in Queens. Some artists are emerging, and some are well known. Approximately 40% of entrants are selected as finalists. We originated the blind juried finalist process by jury or participating artists. All who enter shows become members.
GRANTS • MONEY
We are self-sustaining from generous sponsors, fundraisers, and have neither applied for nor accepted city grants. We received one grant in 14 years, $2000, for the BLVD Film Festival, courtesy of a private foundation. We co-sponsored four, no entry-free film festivals with Thalia Spanish Theater, to launch festival founders Amanda Barker/Matthew Carlson’s BLVD, who now operate solely.
Work sold at events has ranged from $1 to $2000, and 100% of sales are retained by artists. Underwriting the Luke Adams Fine Art Prizes, this year, $500, $300, and $300, come from donors, including Fresh N Save, and artist entry fees (the lowest in Queens), raffles, and was set up for the Roel Vanderkooi Estate by Antony Kulzer. A donation is made every year, approximately $400, to local food pantries and a $500 donation to the Skillman and 43rd Avenues Winter Light Festival. SA donated $3000 and $500 for fire relief events. During the quarantine, with the Sunnyside Chamber, we collected $16,500 for four food pantries.
CONTACT INFORMATION/DONATE
All donations are tax deductible, and all monies are used for programming. Send any amount as donation to address below making sure to include your name, address, and purpose. We are volunteers. Want to volunteer? We need you!
Email: sunnysideartists@gmail.com
We use email sparingly and only in regard to SunnysideArtists shows.
Mailing address: Sunnyside Artists, Inc. 45-12 46th St. #166, Luke Adams Way, Sunnyside, NY 11104
Tel: 718-909-4806
Instagram: @sunnysideartists
Facebook: SunnysideArtists
Twitter: sunnysidearts
