CUCHIFRITOS
The Artists Alliance Art Gallery at Essex Street Market

 

Cuchifritos is an art gallery/project space located right inside a local food market - the Essex Street Market.

Market exterior
Essex Street Market exterior.

It is a program of the Artists Alliance Inc. and is open daily, Monday through Saturday 12:00 noon to 5:30pm, and closed Sundays and Holidays.

Essex Market
Essex Street Market interior.

Cuchifritos' mission: to act as a forum for exploring fundamental ideas, issues and concerns in contemporary art, to highlight the work of underrepresented artists, and to make a connection with the local community of the Lower East Side through the medium of contemporary art.

Cuchifritos operates by inviting independent curators to submit proposals. In addition, anyone wishing to submit a proposal may do so by following the submission policy and guidelines linked below. Each Spring a curatorial advisory committee composed of curators and arts professionals from diverse backgrounds choose exhibits from the submissions.

Cuchifritos presents contemporary art exhibits featuring the work of emerging or under represented artists, and exhibits involving a clear conceptual theme structured to put the work of these artists in context.

The gallery's location is designed to underscore the community value of The Essex Street Market by provoking interaction and debate between the multi-cultural local community and the artwork presented.

Noah Chasin of Time Out New York commented:

"In the end, it is the experience of being in Cuchifritos itself ... The diminutive space abuts the southern end of the market, where local pundits convene to gossip and feast. Their strident voices permeate the expected sanctity of the gallery whose doors open onto this modern agora, making clear the vital connection between art and life."

Cuchifritos creates a chance for real interaction between contemporary art and local community.

 

Cuchifritos in the food market
The exterior of Cuchifritos, seen from inside the market.

It gives much needed opportunities to independent curators, who are looking to put forward what they feel are the key developments happening in contemporary art right now.

Finally, it provides fundamentally needed support for artists. By providing an alternative venue to show existing work that doesn't always get a voice, and also a space in which artists can create entirely new works, the gallery serves as a launching point for these new artists and their ideas.

cuchifritos space
Cuchifritos interior, Photo by Albert Padilla.

CUCHIFRITOS STAFF

Gallery Director: Paul Clay

Programs Associate and Intern Coordinator: Zeina Assaf

Cuchifritos gallery intern sitters/docents:
Past Volunteers include - Angelo Angeles, Karen Benezra, Joyce Chan, Julie Quon, Sally (Maya) Vallejo, Joseph Borzotta, Tony Gawron, Meredith Horn, Edie Nadelhaft, Penelope Ojeda, Julienne Pascoe, Robin Proll

cuchifritos space
Opening reception, Photo by Albert Padilla.

 

Continue here to see more images of the CUCHIFRITOS space.

Go here for Submission Policy and Guidelines.

Go here to get a Ground Plan.

 

 

CUCHIFRITOS HOME  |  ABOUT  |  CURRENT EXHIBIT  |   PAST   |  FUTURE  |   AAI HOME  |  ESSEX ST. MARKET  |  CONTACT