After a cold, snowy weekend, warm your soul up with DJ JP SOLIS. This New York based  10-year full-time DJ, creates curated tracks and mixes of pop music and oldies. Alongside of fusing sounds together, JP SOLIS is also the music director and founder of NOISE212, where “his ability to create a frenzied vibe out of thin air…combines feel-good pop with progressive underground sounds to create a type of sonic soup….” Below is a clip of one of JP SOLIS’ sets, confirming his versatile mix of music. 

Listen to more tracks by JP SOLIS here.

-Heather Liggins

Photo: Rachel Esterday

For its seventh New York fair, Fountain Art Fair New York is partnering with us, Art For Progress this year on Friday, March 9 through Sunday, 11 2012. It’s time to mark your calendars fellow New Yorkers, art connoisseurs, artists and those in between. Showing at the iconic city landmark at 69th Regiment Armory, this show will be saturated with artists of walks. Fountain co-founder, David Kesting, says this opportunity to ulitize this space as:

“a game-changer and a big win for Fountain exhibitors and supporters….The sheer scale of the space in context with the ambitious projects of our exhibitors offers a new opportunity for the growth of the exhibition and its participants.”

This sounds ground-breaking to me, and I was an artist, this showcasing is one I wouldn’t want to overlook. As more details arrive, we will be sure to share it with you.

Interested in being part of the show? Apply here.

-Heather Liggins

Starting off the New Year, AFP is pleased to be part of the New York Fountain Art Fair after recently participating in the Miami Art Basel’s edition of Fountain Art Fair. With this said, AFP is now accepting applications to be part of this massive exhibit, as noted by the Miami New Times saying, “[the] fountain draws the type of unruly installations and unsettling performances that make it an unpredictable must-see….” This event will be held from March 8-11, during New York Art Week.

The deadline to apply is quickly approaching–Monday, February 6, 2012–for members and non-members of AFP to display your artwork in the show. Click here to get the details for the application.

-Heather Liggins

Featured in one of our  “Art in the Morning” segments, we are highlighting Juan Manuel Parajes again, but digging a little deeper into this street collage artist.

What best describes his artwork:

Unfinished geometric elements, lines intercrossed towards the infinite… All suspended, floating, in a ground swell of manifold and solid colors…Everything, as a whole, in constant movement, but also suspended in the air…

Juan Manuel Parajes uses layers of iconic images–the late Steve Jobs, Jimi Hendrix, Malcolm X, among other visuals stimulants–creating a classic artwork, knowingly or unknowingly. His artwork has been shown at Christies Gallery in Paris, France to Villa de Arte Gallery in Barcelona, Spain, claiming an international presence. There’s something always alluring about street art. Maybe it’s the beauty of the unexpected. The unexpected location (outside of museum or gallery spaces) and message. Parajes manages to harness this complexity.

Want to view more of Parajes’ artwork? Click here.

-Heather Liggins

Think warm thoughts. As the peak of the winter season (the treacherous months from January to February)  is about to approach, swimwear designer, Lila Nikole Rivera, reminds us of the warm months ahead. Recently showcasing her collection at the AFP’s Closing Party at Miami Art Basel, Rivera offers a wide range of selections both in design and cuts. These handmade garments–worn on the likes of Kim Kardashian to super model Tocarra Jones–caters to individuality and expression. Need more proof? View, buy and learn more about Lila Nikole Rivera here.

-Heather Liggins