Flickinger Glassworks, Inc.

Artist Bosco Sodi’s soulful clay spheres are a sight to see. Even more so because of the exhibition site a vacated lot in Red Hook that used to house Perfect Bodies Auto Collision. Perfect Bodies features 30 imperfect, large-scale clay orbs artfully strewn across the lot’s cracked cement. When you enter this industrial patch, they appear almost like an apparition, harboring primordial secrets within their quietly majestic pods. It can be good medicine to walk around, sa...ys the Mexican artist, who maintains a studio in Red Hook and another in Oaxaca, Mexico where he sourced his red earth material. Presented by Pioneer Works and curated by Dakin Hart, the exhibit is on view Saturdays & Sundays from noon to 7P until December 20. It’s located at 184-186 Conover Street (at Wolcott), just a few blocks from Flickinger Glassworks and even closer to the Red Hook ferry stop.

NEW WEBSITE | The talented Brooklyn-based photographer Randy Duchaine completely revised Flickinger Glassworks’ website. As Randy explains in the video below, the new site is photo-forward and digs into the process of bending glass. We also like to think that Randy made us look pretty good. Please tell us if you agree. New Site: flickingerglassworks.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNtHIIHLFFU

In continuing with last week's theme, here's another dose of live music from Red Hook. You could stroll a couple of blocks east to Hometown BBQ and stumble upon the Michael Blake Trio. The accomplished jazz trio improvised for hours, entertaining the crowds of people seated outside and chowing down on Hometown’s superb BBQ. This video, recorded that evening, features Michael Blake on sax, Tony Scherr on bass and Allan Mednard on drums. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brmrtsnfgvc

Our country is going through a difficult time. But that hasn’t stopped people from playing and reveling in music throughout Red Hook at a safe distance, of course. Charles Flickinger met Bob Armistead decades ago when they both worked as stained glass artists. Bob, who later became a beloved Bronx high school teacher, also enjoys playing the fiddle with other aficionados of Québécois, a variety of Celtic music. So when he recently asked to host an informal music session on Pier 41 in front of Flickinger Glassworks, we pulled out some chairs and an umbrella and set them up in the airy locale. Please listen to this talented foursome, which includes Anna Bosnick, Doyun Park and Colin Forhan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF9lq2vykyk&feature=youtu.be

Neighbor Highlight | You might not notice the Gowanus Nursery in Red Hook. It’s tucked away at the corner of Carroll and Van Brunt Streets, largely hidden behind greenery. But what a find it is! Especially for those looking for native plants or unusual varieties. Michele Paladino opened the nursery in 2003 (originally located in Gowanus) to give home gardeners more diversity to pick from. She managed to stay afloat during the early days of the pandemic by offering catalogue shopping. But her doors are open again on Thursdays through Saturdays from 11A-6P. Michele Paladino is shown here giving a brief tour of the nursery: https://vimeo.com/459128963 They also offer evening workshops that focus on Native Plants, Watering, Perennials, and Seeding. Sign up here: gowanusnursery.biz