Courtney Antione Burstion, getting ready for the day's art lesson

MVC celebrates Earth Day in April by featuring a nonprofit that not only focuses on the environment but also on art, the Bronx River Art Center (BRAC).

BRAC is dedicated to providing art and environmental education to Bronx residents. BRAC’s programs of art classes, studio spaces, exhibitions, and special events (music and dance performances, poetry readings, lectures and film screenings) provide students, community residents and local artists an opportunity to participate in, and experience, the arts in an urban setting. For over 20 years BRAC has been a stabilizing institution in the West Farms community of South Central Bronx and beyond. BRAC’s dedication to the arts and the local population has been a driving force in the surrounding area’s revitalization.

Since its inception in 1980, as an outgrowth of the Bronx River Restoration Project, BRAC has operated in a 100-year-old, four-story, warehouse building adjacent to the Bronx River at East Tremont Avenue and Bronx Street. BRAC has offered art education programs rooted in river ecology and environmental issues pertinent to the Bronx River for the greater part of its history. Free after-school art classes in both the fine arts and new media disciplines take place in their education studios and foster environmental awareness and leadership skills in Bronx youth. BRAC is a wonderful organization to volunteer with, and they’re always looking for Education Assistants to help with their free after school art classes.  For more information, visit http://www.volunteernyc.org/org/21352726.html

Courtney Antione Burstion credits the Bronx River Art Center for keeping him off the streets during High School, when he was experiencing a lot of negativity from both school and home. The teachers at BRAC really invested time into helping Courtney and overseeing his development as an artist. He reports that, “if it had not been for [BRAC], I would not only be a different person, but I would probably not be moving forward in life.” As an adult, Courtney now works as a staff member at BRAC and is there to help children and teens participate in classes and offer them the same safe learning place to come to after school that he had. “Courtney is a talented artist who is comfortable working in a range of creative media, including painting, drawing, graphic design and filmmaking. His dedication to the Bronx River Art Center has made him an inspirational role model for our youth,” said Ellen Schneiderman, BRAC Education Coordinator.

Congratulations to Courtney and the Bronx River Art Center for being the Best People in NYC!