Popular Inwood Coffee Shop Hosts Art Exhibit On Homelessness

INWOOD, NY — An art exhibit centered around homelessness recently opened at the popular Buunni Coffee shop in Inwood.

"BEING THERE" is a collaboration that grew from the work of Yael Ben-Zion, an uptown artist, along with three artists who have experienced homelessness firsthand. The exhibit will be shown within the coffee shop at 4961 Broadway until the end of June.

“BEING THERE aims to change negative stereotypes and stigmas attached to homelessness through works of art,” the artists’ collective said in a statement. “Art that deals delicately with the lasting trauma inflicted by homelessness and reveals the creativity and resilience of unhoused people.”

Here's a breakdown of the pieces that are on display.

• Marcus Moore created a short narrative video that explores the relationships between homelessness and an array of social, political, and environmental issues.
• Michael Deegan used painting and drawing to convey the grim reality of homelessness.
• Maaji Newbold wrote poems that speak of "social constructs and the importance of knowing one's essence."
• Yael Ben-Zion created a series of large-format still-life photographs and a video work she created in collaboration with other participants.

There will also be two more public programming days in June where the artists will come into the Inwood coffee shop and talk about their work and the subjects surrounding it.

June 12th (3 p.m.): Screening of Conversations, a film by Yael Ben-Zion, featuring Michael Deegan
and Maaji Newbold, followed by a panel discussion moderated by Veronica Liu of Word Up
Community Bookshop/Librería Comunitaria.

June 26th (3 p.m.): Live performance of Upside Down Situation, a short play by Maaji Newbold,
followed by a public talk.

These events are free and open to the public.