By Dan Murphy
Very few recall the days when downtown Yonkers and the waterfront were a different place than the vibrant hub of activity it is today. Abandoned buildings and the Larkin Plaza parking lot were some of the features of the neighborhood.
Someone has to take the first step to transform a community, and for the downtown/waterfront and its now active arts community, that person was Louis Perelman, founder of the Blue Door Art Gallery.
Ten years ago, Perelman led a group that launched the Yonkers’ Downtown Art Scene. When the Blue Door Art Center opened on Riverdale Avenue, it marked the beginning of a renaissance that continues to flourish and grow with each passing year. It was the only space in the area that offered an opportunity for local artists to exhibit their efforts.
Now, 10 years later, there are four art venues within a four-block radius.
Perelman moved to Yonkers 27 years ago and immediately began looking for opportunities to bring artists and their works to the city. For five years, 1996 to 2001, he curated art spaces in storefronts and lobbies called Art on Main Street.
“In those days, there wasn’t much going on,” said Perelman. “The new library didn’t yet exist and in our early days the city wasn’t involved. Art on Main Street allowed us to let the artists exhibit their works and expand the cultural atmosphere in Yonkers, which was quite different back then with many abandoned buildings.”
In 2001, as Art on Main street came to an end, Perelman and two others founded the Blue Door Art Gallery and held their first exhibit in 2002 at Philipse Manor Hall. The new Riverfront Library also opened and allowed Blue Door to hold small exhibits there.
Eventually, Blue Door found the space at 13 Riverdale Ave. that it currently occupies. “WESTHAB was generous enough to offer space to use rent free for 10 years now, and the city gave us the money to build it out,” said Perelman. “My mission in life as an artist was to bring art to downtown Yonkers, at a time when there was virtually none of it here.”
Arlene Weinstein came aboard and helped Perelman as gallery director. “She was very good, and we worked as a team and along with a number of other volunteers did a number of exhibits and called for artists.”
Public art projects that have also been sponsored and coordinated by Blue Door include sculptures outside of City Hall and on the waterfront esplanade and in front of the Science Barge.
“The city has been very agreeable and it’s a nice opportunity for artists to show their work,” said Perelman, who said he believes that the efforts made to bring the arts to downtown Yonkers has helped the city and its current renaissance. “I think the arts made Yonkers a friendlier place and did encourage developers to come and see the artistic presence. Artists made Yonkers a more attractive place.”
Blue Door continues to host a new exhibit every four to five weeks, which totals 100 exhibits over the 10 years at Riverdale Avenue. “There were so many artists in Yonkers alone to choose from, but we feature artists from all over the metropolitan area,” said Perelman.
Funding from the city and from ArtsWestchester has helped Blue Door grow from an art gallery to an arts center, offering programs for adults and children, open mic nights, murals along buildings in Yonkers, a local podcast, and more.
“We have a sense of dedication and commitment and we have expanded, but public art is still an important part of the mission,” said Perelman, who explained that Blue Door will not expand until “a benefactor comes forward to help us find a larger space. In the meantime we are grateful to WESTHAB for their continued generosity,” he said.
Perelman downplays his role as the founding father of the downtown Yonkers arts movement, but does admit: “I do feel a sense of satisfaction that we have done something worthwhile that benefits the artistic community and the Yonkers community as a whole. Our art makes Yonkers smile,” he said.
A birthday bash will be held for Perelman and Blue Door Art Center on Sunday, Nov. 18 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at 66 Main St., in the rooftop community room. Call 646-725-7272 or email michele@bluedooartcenter.org for more information.
