Brooklyn-based artist Molly Dilworth was chosen as the winner of the reNEWable Times Square Design Competition to cover seven block of paved ground along Broadway from 47^th to 42^nd Streets.

Her submission, Cool Water, Hot Island, will be installed in June and remain for 18 months.  The winning design’s color palette of cool swirling blues suggests a river or topographical maps.  It relates to the geography of the area and the Great Kill stream that once flowed there.  The colors reflect less light, making it cooler and more comfortable for pedestrians, and contrast with the reds and yellows of the neon billboards.

Cool Water, Hot Island was selected from 150 applications and Dilworth will receive $15,000 for her idea.  Representatives from the DOT, Times Square Alliance, the Mayor’s Office, the Design Commission and an outside artist advisor chose the winning proposal.

This project is part of a larger renovation of Times Square, which began in May 2009 when Bloomberg rerouted traffic away from the Square to make it a car-free pedestrian zone designed to increase safety in Midtown.  The number of pedestrian and motorist injuries is already down significantly (35% and 63% respectively) compared to this time last year.  Although drivers claimed that rerouting traffic would cause problems, DOT studies have shown that travel time has generally increased.

Dilworth recent work includes large rooftop paintings that can be viewed from space via Google Earth or similar satellite image providers.  One such painting is installed on the roof of the Hendershot Gallery at 547 West 27^th Street in Chelsea.  Dilworth earned her MFA from NYU in 2003.

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The 2010 Atlantic Avenue ArtWalk is the largest and most ambitious event in this annual series to date.  It features over 200 artists in an interactive and interdisciplinary celebration of live music and culture along Brooklyn’s Atlantic Avenue on Saturday and Sunday, June 5^th and 6^th from 1 to 6 pm each day.  Highlights include open studios, public art projects and demonstrations, open house events at galleries, art exhibitions in non-traditional venues, food and drink specials at local restaurants, live music all weekend and more.  The cultural corridor of Atlantic Avenue spans the neighborhoods of Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill and Downtown Brooklyn and includes the newly opened Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Mac Premo opens the doors to his studio at 132-134 Nevins Street.  Self-described collagist, animator, commercial director, illustrator, painter and stuffmaker; Premo has made animated commercials for the History Channel and Reebok, witty sculptural collages and assemblages that are composed of a staggering array of materials.  Premo is a veteran of ArtWalk; he designed an Emmy-winning PSA animation for the event in 2007.

Several outdoor, public art events are on view.  Molly Dilworth’s Paintings for Satellites are just that: painted on rooftops, they are large enough to be seen on Google Earth.  Artwalk visitors can view the work in person at 388 Atlantic Ave.   Christina Mendoza will be “live painting” on Nevins Street between Atlantic and Pacific Street as part of the ArtWalk Block Party.

Axelle Fine Art, at 312 Atlantic, is having a Print Studio Open House event, showcasing a range of print techniques presented by their master printer in this Art Deco building that is rarely open to the public.  Dozens of other galleries will be open as well, like the de Castellane Gallery, at 525 Atlantic, who is hosting an opening reception for Ted Diamond and Michael Tharp.  Even non-traditional businesses are getting in on the art action.  Rico Furniture is showcasing the work of Kamilla Talbot and Maggie Tobin at 384 Atlantic.

Restaurants and bars are offering ArtWalkers a special selection of day and evening events. Two adjacent businesses: Nunu Chocolates and the Linger Café and Lounge are teaming up to make the Atlantic ‘Beer’ Garden at 527-535 Atlantic on Saturday night from 6-9.  The Beer Garden event features special prices on refreshments, popular frozen hot chocolate and hors d’oeuvres from Nunu, free sample bites (while supplies last—get there early!) from Linger Café and Lounge Music of Andy Laird and DJ Snoozee.

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