Above is a wood engraving by Winslow Homer depicting a scene at the Brooklyn Sanitary Fair in 1864. One of the most popular attractions was Post Office, where attendees could exchange messages.
People have always craved connection. And I’m delighted to connect with you each month—albeit in a slightly less charming, old-school manner.
Here’s how it works: Maybe you’re super nervous about a first date and need an itinerary. Maybe you’re settling into retirement and want to attend more cultural events. Maybe you’re going through heartbreak and looking for a piece of art that soothes or makes you feel seen. Whatever it is, you can tell me. Send your questions to yo@brooklynmuseum.org, starting your subject line with “ADVICE.” I’ll do my best to recommend something just for you.
—Ms. Lonely Arts
Dear Ms. Lonely Arts,
I’m a new mom to a beautiful 2-month-old baby girl, and I’m looking for recommendations for exhibits that would be perfect for her. I know she’s too young to fully understand what she’s seeing, but I want to start exposing her to the rich culture around us here in Brooklyn.
As a Black family, it’s important to me that my daughter grows up seeing art and artists that reflect her identity. Are there any exhibits, galleries, or cultural experiences in Brooklyn that showcase Black artists or highlight the diverse stories of our community? I’d also love any recommendations for exhibits that are colorful, sensory, engaging, or interactive for young children (even at this early stage!).
I want her earliest memories to be filled with beauty, inspiration, and representation. Thanks for your guidance!
Warmly,
Raising Queens, Curating Culture
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Dear Raising Queens,
Congratulations on the birth of your baby girl! Congratulations to your daughter, too, for having such a cool mom. I’m obsessed with the fact that you’re already thinking about how to surround her with all the arts and culture Brooklyn has to offer.
Did you know that the Brooklyn Museum has interactive, baby-friendly tours for children up to 24 months? Stroller Tours are a great way to explore works on view with touchable objects and songs. The February editions focus on Toward Joy: New Frameworks for American Art. Black feminist and BIPOC perspectives act as through lines in eight galleries featuring over 400 works. “To Give Flowers” will be visually captivating for a two-month-old. And “Several Seats” offers you both a chance to sit and soak in this kaleidoscopic display.
Yours,
Ms. Lonely Arts
![“[Untitled] (Snapshot (Cropped Hands))” by William Steig](https://assets.emailinspire.com/image-assets/759bf7cd87039c132621f42aa764c913/b3a2daf33727abce8d2eab532d10e372.webp)
Dear Ms. Lonely Arts,
I love museums, art, and Brooklyn! Could you make me an itinerary of the perfect date (with myself . . . and maybe with another museum-loving cutie)?
Xx
Museum Romantic
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Dear Museum Romantic,
Spend the afternoon strolling through the galleries. We’ve got art for every mood. Our collection of ancient Egyptian art is one of the largest and finest in the country. For a more sparkly experience, indulge in our special exhibition Solid Gold.
If you’re feeling peckish, our new café also has great food (don’t sleep on the cookies!) and is a great get-to-know-you spot outside of the galleries.
After the Museum closes at 6 pm, head to dinner nearby. Barboncino is beloved for wine and pizza. (They’re closing at the end of February, so visit while you can!) Chavela’s is great if you’re craving cocktails and Mexican fare. The Islands has incredible Caribbean food. If you’re vegan, you can’t do better than RAS Plant Based. Ozakaya is a 15-minute walk away—well worth it for the quality of sushi you’ll encounter there. (Hot tip if you go this route: Unnameable Books is just a few doors down, and they don’t close till 11 pm if you want to keep the party going!)
When it gets a touch warmer, the Museum & Garden Pass will let you visit both the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and the Brooklyn Museum on the same day. Two stops, one ticket—and one date filled with the best of Brooklyn’s beauty.
With love,
Ms. Lonely Arts
Dear Ms. Lonely Arts,
I live with my mom, she is 96 with dementia. It has been challenging but I wouldn’t be anywhere else! Love her! She was an artist.
We have lots of her artwork, framed pastels/charcoals in our senior living apartment. Is there a print or poster you can think of to order to cheer both of us up?
We are in New Jersey but love your museum!
CheerUsUp
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Dear Cheer,
Thank you for your kind words and for writing in with such a loving question. It’s incredible that you’re honoring your mother’s life’s work in your home. Something tells me Florine Stettheimer’s Heat will fit right in. This whimsical portrait was inspired by a birthday celebration for the artist’s mother, who’s pictured toward the top. If you want to add her to your collection, the print is available through our Shop.
The Brooklyn Museum hosts programs specifically for individuals with memory loss and their caregivers: Brooklyn Mornings (in person) and Brooklyn Afternoons (fully virtual). Brooklyn Mornings: New Frameworks for American Art is coming up on February 25, and Brooklyn Afternoons Online: Brooklyn Museum at 200 is on March 11. Peruse the full schedule.
Your mother is lucky to have such a compassionate person looking after her. Taking care of a parent is no easy task, and I hope you’re taking time to take care of yourself too.
In admiration,
Ms. Lonely Arts
Need advice?
Drop me a line!
From the top: Winslow Homer. “Any Thing for Me, If You Please?”—Post Office of the Brooklyn Fair in Aid of the Sanitary Commission, 1864. Wood engraving. Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Harvey Isbitts, 1998.105.87. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum); Consuelo Kanaga. Young Mother with Baby Girl, Florida, 1950. Gelatin silver print. Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Wallace B. Putnam from the Estate of Consuelo Kanaga, 82.65.455. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum); William Steig. [Untitled] (Snapshot (Cropped Hands)). Pen and ink and watercolor on paper. Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Jeanne Steig, 2010.20.102. © artist or artist’s estate. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum); Florine Stettheimer. Heat, 1919. Oil on canvas. Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Estate of Ettie Stettheimer, 57.125. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
