(image via Fort Gansevoort)

I’ve Been Heard
Opening Thursday, November 30 at Fort Gansevoort, 6 pm to 8 pm. On view through

“Public Parks to this day exist as one of the very few remaining spaces that are designed to be democratic: free and open to all,” proclaims a statement for artist and boxing teacher Cheryl Pope’s latest installation at Fort Gansevoort. While the intent for a location isn’t always put into practice by all, it does remain true that public parks provide, or attempt to provide, such a freedom. Pope’s installation focuses on NYC youth, who often flock to parks and the street basketball courts that accompany them. After speaking with an array of young people, she created banner flags and “All-American Varsity Letterman Jackets” displaying some of their statements, elevating the words of youths who may be often ignored into literal fine art.

Image: George Towne, Larry Kramer-Portrait, Oil on Board, 16 x 12 in. Courtesy of the Artist (via Leslie-Lohman Museum)

Art & AIDS: 35 Years of Survival
Opening Thursday, November 30 at Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art, 6 pm to 8 pm. On view through December 30.

Group art classes held for therapeutic reasons are fairly common, but the work created in them isn’t always publicly exhibited in a museum. But at the recently renovated Leslie-Lohman Museum, an array of multi-medium artworks will be on view, all created by HIV+ participants of GMHC’s weekly therapeutic art classes. A large amount of the works deal explicitly with the experience of living with HIV and AIDS, serving as a reminder that it is still very much affecting people today. Notably, the art will also be for sale on the GMHC website, giving the artists a valued opportunity to gain financially from their work. One week after the opening reception, there will be a panel discussion at the museum on the significant influence art has had on the AIDS epidemic, both today and in the past.

(image via Gallery Petite / Facebook)

Objectified
Opening Friday, December 1 at Gallery Petite, 6 pm to 9 pm. On view through January 14.

At one time or another, you’ve probably felt like an object. Whether this was a consensually agreed-upon happening or a result of an unsavory character, it has more than likely occurred. Additionally, you may even have seen an object be treated like a person, or sometimes even better than a person. It is fitting that I’m bringing this up in a listing of art openings, as it is common to treat fine art as literally untouchable, and maybe there’s an argument to be made here that some people on earth will more willingly refrain from touching an art piece non-consensually than a person. But I digress! This group art show opening on Friday deals with objects, people, and how one can often be the other. Perhaps you will find the content resonates with you, or maybe, just maybe, the works will seem like any other objects.