For immediate release:
Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Contact:
4heads at 212-673-9074
govislandart@4heads.org


Island of Art in NY Harbor 
The First Annual Governors Island Art Fair
 

Where: Governors Island, N.Y.
When: Sept. 5-Oct. 12, 2008; Fridays, 10am-5pm, Saturdays and Sundays, 10am-7pm
Opening Reception festivities - Saturday, Sept. 13 from 10am-7pm
Web Sites: www.4heads.org, www.govisland.com

Sound installation, outdoor sculpture, and portraits created on site are just a few of the artistic items of interest awaiting visitors to The 4heads Collective's First Annual Governors Island Art Fair, running every weekend from September 5 through October 12, 2008. The fair unites more than 40 of New York City’s best independent artists under one roof, showcasing hundreds of new works. There will be an opening reception day with interactive art and music on the second Saturday, September 13th, from 10am to 7pm.

In response to traditional art fairs, this event has been organized entirely by artists, for artists - and for the public's enjoyment. The Governors Island Art Fair is spearheaded by The 4heads Collective, a New York-based group dedicated to cultivating interest in the arts through community involvement and interaction. Ernie Sandidge, Nicole Laemmle, Preet Srivastava and Antony Zito formed the group in early 2008 with a mission of forging new opportunities for the growing community of artists in New York City. The 4heads Collective offers each selected artist a chance to exhibit in his or her own room in a beautiful historic building on Governors Island, as opposed to larger fairs that mix multiple artists in small booths or hotel rooms. For the public, it’s an opportunity to see and buy artwork from some of the city’s most sought-after independent artists in a beautiful, historic park setting. Governors Island is located only 800 yards from Lower Manhattan, accessible via a 5-minute ferry ride featuring spectacular views of the Statue of Liberty, bridges, The New York City Waterfalls by Olafur Eliasson and all of New York Harbor. Admission to the fair and ferry rides to and from the island are free.

“The Governors Island Art Fair is about providing artists, art lovers, and art collectors with the opportunity to meet on this little island that is like a historic time capsule,” says 4heads curator Nicole Laemmle. "And at the same time, Governors Island is like a newborn - all but unknown and untouched by New York. We are excited to bring our event to the island."

With bicycles to rent (free on Fridays), electric vehicles and recycling bins, Governors Island already seems a bit greener than its parent city. Purple Beverage Company, one of the sponsors for the fair, supports the cause with its healthy, all fruit, anti-oxidant drink complimentary to guests of the fair. Additional support and funding comes through the generosity of Duggal Visual Solutions, Frame It In Brooklyn, and Harry M. Abrams - fine art publishers since 1949.

Governors Island includes a National Historic Landmark District featuring 18th century fortifications, pre-Civil War arsenal buildings, Victorian and Romanesque Revival housing, as well as early 20th century neo-classical architecture. The island is a former military post, with roles in the Revolutionary War and virtually every other major U.S. military engagement, including the War of 1812, the Civil War, both World Wars, and the Gulf War. Twenty-two of Governors Island's 172 acres comprise the Governors Island National Monument, which is owned and operated by the National Park Service. The island boasts sixteen acres of recreational facilities encircled by a one-mile esplanade for jogging and walking which features New York's closest view of the Statue of Liberty from land.

GETTING TO GOVERNORS ISLAND:

The Governors Island Art fair is open every FRI, SAT, SUN starting September 5 through October 12. FRI 10am–5pm; SAT/SUN 10am–7pm. The Governors Island Ferry departs every hour on FRI, SUN and every half hour on SAT from the Battery Maritime Building at 10 South Street, located to the east of the Staten Island Ferry building in Lower Manhattan. Last departure to the island is 3pm on FRI and 5pm on SAT/SUN. Last return from the island is 5pm on FRI and 7pm on SAT/SUN. More detailed ferry schedule: http://www.govisland.com/Visit_the_Island/directions.asp

To get to the Battery Maritime Building via subway: 1 to South Ferry on FRI or Chambers on SAT/SUN and shuttle to South Ferry; 4/5 to Bowling Green; W on FRI or R on SAT/SUN to Whitehall Street. MTA Bus M1 on FRI only, M6, M9 and M15 to South Street. More info: www.mta.info.