Anne Sara Grossman

ARTIST ANNE GROSSMAN RECOGNIZED WITH $5,000 CITY ARTISTS CORPS GRANT FROM NEW YORK FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS (NYFA) AND THE NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS (DCLA) 

Anne Grossman Will Create an Oil Painting on site outdoors at 107th Street and Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan as Part of Award Program

New York, NY – Artist Anne Grossman is one of 500 New York City-based artists to receive $5,000 through the City Artist Corps Grants program, presented by The New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA), with support from the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) as well as Queens Theatre.

Anne Grossman was recognized for creating a painting, which will bring outdoor art to the Manhattan Valley neighborhood of New York in Manhattan beginning August 21, 2021 from 2:30pm - 5pm and continuing on multiple days. 

Anne Grossman will create an 18" x 36" oil painting on canvas on site outdoors of the bodega Mini Market Deli and the restaurant Tropical Sensation on Amsterdam Avenue between 107th and 106th Streets in the neighborhood Manhattan Valley in Manhattan. She chose to paint these 2 seemingly ordinary neighborhood businesses, a bodega and a Dominican restaurant, to bring attention to their importance. They are successful, minority-owned businesses with a loyal customer base and represent a part of the diverse and inclusive culture of Manhattan Valley. They were and still are essential to the community's well-being during the pandemic. They not only survived but also thrived during Covid 19. 

Over the course of three award cycles, more than 3,000 artists will receive $5,000 grants to engage the public with artist activities across New York City’s five boroughs this summer and fall. Artists can use the grant to create new work or phase of a work, or restage preexisting creative activities across any discipline.

Members of the public can participate in City Artist Corps Grants programming by following the hashtag #CityArtistCorps on social media.

City Artist Corps Grants was launched in June 2021 by NYFA and DCLA with support from the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) as well as Queens Theatre. The program is funded by the $25 million New York City Artist Corps recovery initiative announced by Mayor de Blasio and DCLA earlier this year. The grants are intended to support NYC-based working artists who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. It is strongly recommended that a portion of the grant be used to support artist fees, both for the applying artist and any other artist that are engaged to support the project. 

The Rack NYC Interview, November 6, 2015

Let’s talk about Anne Grossman.  This wonderful artist has managed to create a fan base in her Morningside Heights neighborhood. After spotting her painting what would later turn out to be an impressive recreation of our local pizzeria, I asked  while walking my pup and immediately said to myself she needs to be featured on The Rack NYC! She has New Yorkers stop from our regular routine and look up. On my way to interview Anne I stopped and stared for a bit prior to greeting her as people stopped in their tracks and visually engaged in the exploration of shades of color, angles, brushstrokes while recreating something we seldom notice - water tower’s.

1. Tell us a little about yourself? I started drawing when I was three and I started taking painting classes when I was in High School. I was fortunate to have an amazing art teacher who encouraged me. In West Aurora Illinois I took the commuter train on Saturdays as a teenager to take college-level painting classes at the Art Institute of Chicago. I had to opportunity of working with live models at the age of 14. I absolutely loved it!

2. What was your first memory of yourself as an artist? 

I remember drawing a family of daughters, because I don’t have any sisters. It was a family of girls and all their outfits

3. I read through your bio and saw that you had the opportunity to study in Italy? Tell us about that experience.  

I studied abroad during the summer between my junior and senior year in college with Rhode Island School of Design’s RISD in Rome program, and we went out and painted in and around Rome. I had never been abroad and had only seen Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus in a book.  When I saw it at the Uffizi, I cried because it it was larger and more beautiful than I had imagined. I applied for a scholarship to be a Teacher’s assistant and then got a scholarship through SACI, Studio Art Centers International, to become a T.A. and paint during my third year of graduate school.  It was an incredible experience.  I was able to travel around Italy and was able to paint. 

4. Did you save any of your work from your time there?

Yes I did save a lot of my work! I have some of the paintings on my wall.

5. After viewing your work online I truly admire your precise lines. Also, your oil paintings really pop and come to life.  It really drew my attention. What tools do you use to achieve?

I have very good brushes and also do a detailed drawing beforehand. Being precise is very important to me it is part of the painting. Doing the drawing is the most difficult and intense part. 

As far as the tools I used to purchase them at the now defunct Pearl Paint. I now go to Dick Blick as there are several stores in the city and they offer high end art materials. I recommend going to Dick Blick!! I use Gamblin Artists’ Oils, an American product. Robert Gamblin who started his own company in the 80’s came to my graduate school, University of Pennsylvania, to show us his line of oil paint.   I prefer his oils. His products are less expensive than the European brands such as Holbein and Old Holland.  I also have a lot of patience and I know where I need to have very sharp lines. 

6. Tell us about the process start to finish how. How do you choose your subject? 

I go walking and I look everywhere. It will take 10-20 minutes to do a sketch.  I write down where I am and the time. It is very important to me as the shadows are a very important part of the painting as well. The composition is very important to me as well as trying to figure out what is the most exciting part of the scene I am drawing.

7. At this time on this street what is it about that particular water tower that catches your eye? 

What I like is seeing a water tower peeking through a sliver between two buildings. I like the shapes created by these two buildings of the water tower and the sky. I also like that intense shadow at a sharp angle. My next process that day the same kind of light on paper or canvas and the drawing alone takes me an hour and half to two hours. I come back the same time of day and I start the painting. It takes me four or five sessions I can do about an hour and half or two hours than the light changes to much and it’s a different painting. I reach a point where I can’t do any more today.

8. Why water towers? What is it about a water tower that excites you?

I’ve been fascinated and I felt as big as a water tower. I was pregnant and sitting outside drawing water towers with a big belly I felt big and round. I love their shape and felt as big as one. I felt an affinity to them!

9. How do you keep your concentration on your art in such a busy environment as New York City?

I pick my areas carefully. I try not to be on a major avenue and when I am painting I am very focused.  Sometimes it’s nice to stop and talk to people as it breaks that intensity and I need that little break. I’ve only had positive feedback.

10. Are you doing this professionally? Are you selling your work?

Yes I am selling my work.

11. Let’s shine some light on your sketches?  What is your favorite sketch? 

I went to Smorgasburg with my family during fleet week and I noticed there were a lot of helicopters in the sky and I wanted to incorporate them in the sketch. I thought this is a magnificent view and I want to draw this. It took me about 45 minutes.

12. Tell us about your art exhibits? Is this something you would like to do on a grander scale?

I had an exhibit at the SAJ.   It was a one-woman show with my watercolors.   It was very well received. Yes, I am working on my next one-woman show exhibiting my oils. 

Excerpt from GarnetNews, December 20, 2014