BRAVE SOULS ILLUMINATE LA 11.11.09

FIFTY24 LA presents new works by NYC artist Maria “TOOFLY” Castillo November 11 through January 4, 2009 // OPENING RECEPTION: November 11, 2009 7-9:30 P.M. FIFTY24LA Gallery // 125 East 6 St. // Los Angeles, Ca 90014// 415.252.9144 www.upperplayground.com

PRESS RELEASE BELOW:

For Immediate Release 10.30.09 Contact Info: Gabriella Davi-Khorasanee, 415.252.0144×118 Gabriella@UpperPlayground.com

Upper Playground and Fifty24LA Gallery Present “Brave Souls Illuminate” A Collection of New Works by Maria “Toofly” Castillo Maria “Toofly” Castillo is a painter and illustrator from New York. Growing up Queens, Toofly immersed herself in graffiti culture and developed her own knack for handstyles and unique “around the way girl” characters. “Brave Souls Illuminate” is a re-mix of new, and existing works that showcase Toofly’s growth as young woman drawing and writing on the walls to a mature well respected fine artist, designer, and visual arts producer. Her existing works takes you on a journey of a self proclaimed, “around the way girl” using hard and fluid lines, handstyles, and self confidence to declare a spot in NYC’s graffiti subculture dominated by men, and fierce attitude. Her new works re-introduce the shades of grey that originally helped her pull in the raw emotions she grew up with, and surfaces new and improved. As she travels to reconnect time and space, the new pieces not only feel and look more mature, yet bring you back to the core of her spirit: ”A brave being who looks to shine bright unapologetic from the inside out!” ”Brave Souls Illuminate” features new works and an installation on display at FIFTY24LA Gallery from November 11 – January 4, 2009.

FRESHER ARTWORK!

Last chance to purchase FRESHER artwork! >>> Contact info@theyounity.com or stop by gallery on:
WEDNESDAY OCT 14th 4:30pm-7:30pm  ( or )  FRIDAY OCT 23rd 12pm-6pm.

Clemente Soto Velez
107 Suffolk / Between Delancey and Rivington
F Train to Delancey

Amanda Lopez
Stupid Fresh / Print on Wood
$200.00

MORE IMAGES BELOW>>>

THANK YOU!!!

DEAR COMMUNITY,
THANK YOU!!!
for your support and contributions to Younity’s third annual FRESHER exhibition.
We had an amazing turn out, the event was an eco-success!
We hope to continue to build with each of you, and spread our love for urban art, culture, and community.

THE YOUNITY ARTS CREW
Toofly, Alice Mizrachi, Shana Louallen, Diana Mc Clure, Yvette Devito, Samia Grand Pierre, Inks, Little Alex, Jessica, Emilie, and our Younity Youth Team; Talia Maridueña, and Jerely Perez

www.theyounity.com

Photo by Martha Cooper © 2009

Below are the gallery hours, press links, and photos for your viewing pleasure.
Feel free to share:)

GALLERY HOURS

Wednesday, October 14th
( Shana Louallen at gallery come visit! )
4:30-7:30PM

Friday, October 16th
( Toofly at Gallery Come visit! )
6-10PM

Saturday, October 17th
( Toofly, Yvette Devito, and Stephanie Land at gallery come visit! )
4:30-7:30PM

Wednesday, October 21st
( Shana Louallen at gallery Come visit! )
4:30-7:30PM

Friday, October 23rd
(  AM at gallery last chance to view! 4:30-6pm )
( CLOSING PARTY – CANCELLED )

FRESHER 2009!

wow guys, words can not describe how DOPE FRESHER opening was. YOU HAD TO BE THERE!!! Turnout was amazing, the energy, the people, the art, the space OMG, we don’t know where to begin We’ll let the flicks do the talking. Sending a special special THANK YOU to all our peoples, friends, supporters, team, family, and everyone who came thru to share this  experience with all of us. STAY FRESH, and SPREAD LOVE…

WOMEN ROCK.

2nd fl GALLERY…

Photo by Martha Cooper www.12oprophet.com

Jen One, and Abeni in front of TOOFLY’s  latest joint! Abeni thanks you for all your hard work on helping document YOUNITY!!!

ACB, always with us…

Amazing turn out both floors were packed!

peeps! Yvey & Jess thanks for all your help with the art sales!

Rokafella and Marthalicia beautiful souls…

Love it when kids stare at art…wonder what they wonder?

GOODWOODNYC always a hit!

Martha Cooper bought it! PIECE BY NIZ. B-GIRLZ ASIA1, LADY CHAMP, AND AIKO

My sisters piece. INKS >>> handcarved mad work!

Nani Chacon. More flicks of art coming soon…

Shout out to FRESTHETIC who helped sponsor us on the sticker vinyl!;) Thanks Mikey, and Randy!

Oh shit…TONE! OMG can’t wait to see your flicks, your skillz are amazing!!!

The lovely DJ ELLE, blessed us with her selection! Got the breakers to boogie…Shout out to DJ Laylo who we missed so much! but helped us lock down the turntables. Thanks kid!

This had to be the icing on the cake. Ya’ll had to be there to experience the energy in the room, it was so gooooooood!

I love breakers…

ROKAFELLA came thru w/ the breakers crew thank yoooooouuuuuuu sweets!!!

What! Jen One doesn’t play…Love her style.

I get so happy to see all of ya!!!

Dopeness…

GOOD TIMES!!!

Shana and Diana, luv you guys!!! Thanks for all your help;)

oh oh…the mighty suspects…LOL AM’s installation piece in the back…

Shout out to Emilie from Caprise Magazine, and Samia Grand Pierre from Highsnobette for all your help:)

AFTER PARTY TIME!!!  LET’S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO…

THANK YOU! Photo by Martha Cooper

After party at SUTRA NYC who always has our back. See ya at the FRESHER closing party OCTOBER 24th;)

YOOOOO so this event was definitely hot- was so great to make it happen with all the dope artists and our AMAZING YOUNITY team. I am so blessed to be part of such a dope crew of women who continue to inspire me daily!
HERe are the flicks:

INSTALLATION PHOTOS:

FRESHER exhibition 10-3-09 from 7-11 @ Clemente Soto Velez in LES.

THE TEAM- hey we missing TF, where she at?

NANI CHACON hand painted wood purses- DOPE!

JUNKPRINTS HANDMADE BAGS:) I want one!

GOODWOOD- ALWAYS FRESH!

iNks woodcut was a huge success- everyone loved it. GREAT JOB PAM and thanx for all ur help with the show. I love the footprints!

i found this piece of wood at the secret garden when we did our wall production there- just goes to show how garbage can always be reused. had fun making this piece.

THE TEAM- hey wheres TF at?

Stephanie Land and Tony Peralta:)

Martha Cooper checking out her new NIZ piece she purchased of b girlz ASIA, LADY CHAMP & AIKO. Ive had this piece hanging in my living room for the past year. Im sad to see it go but i know its going to a good home:) Enjoy it Martha!

my fam- cuz Jessica and Talia (YOUNITY YOUTH)- thx for all ur help

Emilie from FRANCE IN da house:)

GFC ladies reppin’

thx for the interview!

ROCKAFELLA came thru and brought her crew- so dope watching them break!

MY BRO was in da house with his peoples- this is where my love for hip hop comes from. OLD SKOOL BBOY RIGHT HERE!

Elizabeth n Joe came thru- I MISS ISA!

VIK came thru- so great to c u gurl!

WES n MO coming thru from the SUNNYSIDE!

JAY n SHANA

thx for all ur help- u ladies rock!

GET UR YOUNITY TEES!

Thanks for hooking up the green footprints PAM:)

DJ ELLE on the ones n twosFULL HOUSE on both floors!!!

…

THanks for supporting TONY- and hooking us up with the connect for the space:)

Carlos & Ryan chillin’

DESTROY & REBUILD:)

Rasu came through to support as well!

i love this pic!

Vee n Turbo in the place to be

YAY- Martha came thru:)

For those of you who weren’t there you missed a great event full of great peoples, great art and great vibes. Please make it out to 107 Suffolk to c the work and stay tuned we might even do a closing party!

INSTALLATION

FRESHER 2009 installation process flicks…

Jenevieve setting it off…

I love this space…

Going w/ cardboard as our main design element. You can find it in almost every street corner, time to RECYCLE!

FRESH!

Cece Carpio, and ErinYoshi conceptualizing…

Cece getting busy on her piece…

Now for floor #2…

Yvey, Kel, and Pen helping us unpack the artwork…

Big space to fill…

My Amanda Lopez tribute flick:)

Shout out to our Younity Youth Talia, and Jerely for helping us out!

and our crew Yvey, Samia, Shana, and D…

Thanks KEL!!!

Having fun yet! LOL…

Shout out to Tristan and his team at THUNDERDOG for sponsoring us with some Fresher logo signage;)

Pammies aka INKS thank you for the lovely birds and carbon footprints!

B-GIRL BE 2009!

B-Girl Be 2009 Block Party included Mainstage Performances, MCs, Spoken Word, DJs, Dance, Live Mural Painting, Film, Food and an Art Marketplace! Featuring local, national and international artists including aerosol artists Motel7 (Capetown) and Toofly (NYC); MC Eternia with Chesney Snow (Canada), DJ Chela (NYC); spoken word poet Tish Jones; Akira Johnson; Bloody Black Eyes; Ill Chemistry; Black Pearl; and the Twin Cities All-Stars: Katana, Maria Isa, Indigo, Desdamona, performing onstage together for the first time in twin cities hip-hop history!

FINITO! Got my piece done early so I can rock my style’n photography skillz. Here are some of OUR favorites….( AM’s pics coming soon )

Fall back now you don’t know me!

MC BIG TARA is a B-girl and MC with the Anomolies Crew, Fox Force 5, Shoten Zenjin and the House of HOWL. Born and raised in the Lower Eastside of NYC, she was influenced by the dance and music culture of her neighborhood. She has graced many stages across the country including the Apollo, BB Kings, Lincoln Center and the Manhattan Center and has worked with the Roots, Erykah Badu and LL Cool J to name a few. After receiving a public service award from the New School University, she decided to dedicate her time to helping non-profit organizations further serve marginalized youth. She has been working in community outreach for over 10 years and believes it is crucial to help guide our youth to live absolutely happy and productive lives.

These girls were FLY! Their outfits went great with the shoot;) YEAH BABY!!!

Amanda Lopez, from YOUNITY was also getting her shots in for THE GIRLS GOT KICKS! Photoshoot…

Little Minniapolis Girls…

MOTEL 7 ( Capetown ) Welcome!!! I thought I was fast, this girl went all out…

PROPS!

AM going high…

and stencil’n it up…

The new team: MAMA made it! wooohoooo…

SHEVA + RUKUS + RUST

Shout out to CHICAGO who was in the house! Repping hard every year…BESO

GLOE

Well behaved women seldom make history! >>> Well said! MAVEL + CIDER

Shout out to T-Rose! Our wonderful host for the week. Made us some protein shakes, drove us up in the PLAY DATE Cadillac, and overall blessed us with mad love. Thank you T!!!

Photo by B-FRESH >>> More at: CITY PAGES

DJ CHELA on the 1 & 2’s

DeCipher This showcases the very essence of hip-hop dance: the ability to freestyle in the cipher. The 2009 B-Girl Be Block Party After Party with DJs and live drumming as locally and nationally recognized female hip-hop dancers take their turn in the cipher sharing their specific skills and raw energy!

Jen One from YOUNITY was killing it! Be a part of instant creation as improvisational elements come together with some of the most talented female breakers, poppers and hip-hop freestyle dancers in the country.

Featuring Aiko, MimotheGreat and Venus Fly Trap Crew; with performances by AnnieUp, B-Girl monArc, Yonci Peaceful Jameson, Alissa Paris, Amy Sackett, Sarah Savengseuksa, B-Girl Seoul Assassin, Kim Sorenson, and Ti-en-T, and Legend ROKAFELLA!

Always inspiring to see these women rock and keep it alive. Budget cuts suck, especially when the organizers that gave life to the HEART & SOUL of B-Girl Be are not longer on board;( You can feel, and see the “DIFFERENCE”. Regardless of some minor mishaps, at the end of the day our community has to keep events like this alive. There’s a new generation that still needs platforms like this to represent, and come together to exchange new ideas. Money or no money true activists will continue to hold it down. I was happy to see some new talent brewing. Electro Funky Flowz baby! We missed our crews from the past B-Girl Be’s specially MELISSA, MARTHA COOPER, NIKA, ARUNA, VENDETTA, ASIA, LADY CHAMP, MARTHA DIAZ, FAITH47, LADY PINK, QA, FEVER, SHIRO, SILOETTE, and PHEM9. We rocked it ONE LAST TIME, but It wasn’t the same without ya!!! To all the new folks who came thru to represent PROPS! Motel7, Annie Up, PANDORA wow you blew me away w/ your skillz! DJ Chela, Eternia, Lori from Female Sneaker Fiend, Amanda Lopez w/ the Photo skillz, and many many more…I gotta get folks names right. Shout out to the ladies who had our back during the trip; MELISSA for organizing all the DOPE ladies to represent! AUTUMN for hooking us up w/ the goodies, and T-ROSE for being a wonderful host! THANK YOUUUUUU!!!

Younity Markit Flicks!

Yesterday’s Younity Art & Designer MARKIT was a sunny successs!!! From dope handmade goods, fresh artwork, designer T’s, to the valiadas and hot dogs on the grill by Father Tom and the parish crew. Our peeps came through and showed maaaaaaad LOVE! Dj Jedi, and Dj Disco Wiz killed it on the 1 & 2’s playing the best in Hip Hops classics and Freestyle. Bboyz, and BGirlz would of loved it. Ya def up in the mix next time without a doubt. Can’t wait!!! Got lot’s more stuff planned for Markit#2 The Lady of Sorrows parish is down for us, that’s why I love COMMUNITY. Real recognize real;) Bringing together fresh creative talent to our hoods one summer at a time. Look out for the HOLIDAY MARKET in the works for December. Thanks again everybody!!!

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT! >>>

Goodies for all…

Thanks for the LUV GFC Peeps!

Circa 95, officially yours;) LUV YA! Pete, Rephstar, Patty Dukes, TF > Flick by Joe Conzo

DJ Jedi is the man!!! Hooked it up with the whole set up, the schoolyard was jammin. Big huggggggz to you for all your support hommie.

INKS had some new goodies this year…NEON zebra print tank top styles, and houndstooth fabric pins so cute. Little NYC pillows sold out!

JUNKPRINTS > Check out that huge ass duffle. WHAT! this girl is NO JOKE. She’s is all about about it and we LOVE IT! Check her our soon on People Magazine. Congrats hommie!

GOODWOODNYC baby! Yeo Kerri’s new stuff is looking SICK!!! See for yourselves…

UNBELIVEABLE, there ain’t nobody on her steez, she is def ORIGINAL. Love it Kerri keep up the DOPENESS.

Destroy & Rebuild Collective > These fellas are all so talented. I can’t get enough. Shout out to 2esae, ski, and avone. Looking fwd to the collabo it’s gonna be illlllllll. Be sure to check out their set up up in Soho on prince near the apple store. They’re work is TOP NOTCH. I need my REVS & COST piece ya still got it?

624713 Collective > Grimy Patterns/graff + prints Art, T’s and much more. This crew is doing their thing, you can also visit their setup in soho. Lookout for Jenevieve713 in the FRESHER show OCT 3rd!

DOPE! I love art, especially when it’s from NY…

DJ DISCO WIZ came through to drop the skilllllllz. I think if there was a linoleum around i might have just thrown down even though I can’t break the music was so goooood. Thanks so much for sharing your time Wiz! Look out for his AWESOME book and bookstores worldwide IT’S JUST BEGUN. This is a LEGEND right here supporting YOUNITY;) Thank u!!!

TOUGH LOVE NYC cupcakes! too bad I don’t have a sweet tooth these look YUMMY!

STEPHANIE LAND > Photographs + Stationary. This lady’s images are so peaceful I love looking at them. I can’t wait to see her handmade Journal for the FRESHER exhibit!

FRESTHETIC > Our crew without a doubt! Repping amazing artists on T’s wood, and print. Check out their shop on 560 Grand St in Willy B, Brooklyn.

AM > Art, Knits, Pillows, Art and more!

Sohnup> HIP HOPE FOR HEALING. Check out the organic steez…

Mina Suarez > Vintage Goodes + and dope purses…

La Araucana by Norma Bravo > Vee’s momma making some beautiful handmade knitted scarves, hats, and sweaters. Time to get cozy soon!

Ivette Urbanez > Handcrafted Dresses, Purses, and Silkscreened T’s.

Mr Tony Peralta chillin’ making plans for the next market. Joe Conzo was diggn’ it. Dimélo y que lo qué primo…

Thank you Father TOM!!!

Younity sporting the goods, new T’s gonna go up online soooon. Shout out to Yvey for hooking it up w/ father TOM on this dope schoolyard location. Especially helping to organize the DJ’s. Your a TROOPER kid! LUV YA;) Big hugz and kisses to miss Shana Louallen for holding down the Younity booth with her cuz and giving folks some Tarot Card readings. Your on the next FLYER!

Oh shit! Look who came thru to show the ladies love. Artists legend, graff head, b-boy, DOZE GREEN. It was great to see you!

Kicking off FRESHER 09 like no other baby! THIS IS HOW IT SHOULD BE DONE…yeah yeah OCTOBER 3rd >>> Lower East Side…

Younity presents: FRESHER! 10.3.09

Flyer is finally COMPLETE!!!

SAVE THE DATE OCT 3rd, 2009. PRESS RELEASE BELOW>>>

YOUNITY MARKIT 9.5.09 – Re-Scheduled!

We had to push the Markit to next SATURDAY because of NYC Rain. Lot’s more sunshine next week, great for Labor Day Weekend!

YOUNITY’s RE-FRESH THE STREETS! – Williamsburg Brooklyn

The YOUNITY Re-Fresh the Streets live street art collaboration is complete!!! Super duper special shout out to our Younity Youth Jerely, and Talia who threw down with the can control. We are so proud;)  our Younity Crew Shana, Diana, Mama, and Samia for helping freestyle that store front. Jazzy jazz baby! I couldn’t have done it without ya. Especially Abeni Garrett for hooking up the video piece for this project I can;t wait to see it!!! Gracias MAMASITAS! Shout out to the owner of this entire spot, JERRY ( Official Hero Status! ) for being so humble and sweet with all us girls. Looking fwd to the Friday Jazz Jam sessions to close out the summer, SOUTHSIDE style. Mad love goes out to OUR people, the few left in this community who got smart in the 70-80’s and bought their property! This hood back then was one of NYC’s worst. Gentrifaction is inevitable, and we feel for you. THIS WALL IS FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RE-FRESH THE STREETS – YOUNITY Female Stylez, Ideaz, and Skillz!

Jazz Jam Sessions every FRIDAY NIGHT!!! wmcjazz.org. Support your local peeps who do this for the love not for the money. Especially folks like Jerry who have held it down from day 1!

YOUNITY YOUTH Prepping the wall:)

Day 1: PREP WALL. Younity Crew; Shana Louallen, Diana Mc Clure, TF, AM, & Younity Youth; Talia, Jeraline, Tati, and Charlie, and #1 mom Oli.  Thank You!

DAY 2: AIKO fresh start…weather was great!

EMA, and Sofia Maldonado

Tabasco your so cute!!!

Sofia came thru and rocked her dopeness:) She brought Lee’s baby along

Classic Charlie! Repping the Dominican flag I LOVE IT! Photo by: OLIVIA

GROW…

I need another day on it it, lot’s to fix…

VIK – You killed it girl! I LOVE IT;)

EROTICA- DOPE AS USUAL!

YOUNITY CREW- the ladies the ladies

Charlie gave me some good pollen advice on the sunflower piece- thanks kid!

Our peoples, Jim and Kala Murray from their latest BOOK: Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York out now! taking professional flicks of our wall. THANK YOU!!!

MORE PICS >>> urbanimagephotography.com

So proud of our Younity Youth…give them a can and they FLY!

Freestyle skillz baby, off the dome…

Mama! Yeo thank you so much for the ladders and extra paint your BIG CITY WALLS HEART rocks!!!

AM going high with the sunflower seeeeeeeds…

My sister INKS came thru to rock some bird stencils…

JEN ONE work in progress…Fresher Logo in progress…We’re almost there ladies, SEND ME final flicks! It got too dark…

We were happy SHIRO got a chance to paint with us this summer while she visited us from Japan. Her flight was the next day and she banged this baby out in 1 day! Good job Shiro! We love youuuuuuu. See you next summer!