Grown in Brooklyn MTA Exhibition and New Food Photography Book

All images © Valery Rizzo

I wanted to share a couple of exciting things happening at the moment. First I am going to be having an exhibition for the MTA called " Grown in Brooklyn" and it will be installed in the coming weeks as Duratrans within 45" x 66" lightboxes at the Atlantic Ave Subway station, in Brooklyn. A collaboration between the MTA, Kodak, who is supplying the film and Digital Plus, an amazing Lab and gallery here in Brooklyn that will be printing the entire exhibition. 

There are eight boxes in total and for those of you that don't live in New York I have posted the line-up of images above. The show is all about the Farm to Table movement and the urban agricultural currently happening in Brooklyn. Represented in the work are farmers from Added Value Red Hook Community Farm, Eagle Street Rooftop Farm, Tenth Acre Farms, Beekeeping, Tabletop food shots and a business, Nile Valley which uses only fresh organic produce.

I will let you know when the exhibit is up and hopefully have some shots of the installation to show you.

Photo © Lara Ferroni

Also I will be one of the many photographers profiled in this lovely new book, Food Photography : Pro Secrets for Styling, Lighting & Shooting by the amazingly talented photographer and author Lara Ferroni. Seen here together are the UK and the US versions and are available for pre-order on Amazon along with her many other titles. I was honored to be asked to be a part of this book...thanks Lara.

Blue Moon Bash at Southpaw to Benefit Farmers

Painting © Sally Mara Sturman

I wanted to take a moment to tell you about an event at Southpaw in Brooklyn, this Sunday November 6th from 3-8pm. It's the Blue Moon Bash, which is an all day event of music and food to benefit farmers Ray Bradley of Bradley Farms and Kira Kinney of Evolutionary Organics.

100% of profits will be donated to Ray and Kira for flood relief from Hurricane Irene. Both suffered devastating damage to their farms and lively hoods. Eight bands, one dance company, Alex's famous clam chowder (from Blue Moon Fish), great food and drink donated by local farmers and restaurants, and fab raffle prizes to boot!. $20 donation. Please come by and support your local farmers in need of help! For more info, to buy tickets or make a donation see www.bluemoonbash.org!

My husband's band Sunset Victim is playing at 7:15 but come early for tastings from local restaurants Palo Santo, Amy's Bread, Blue Moon Fish, Blue Apron Foods, Aliseo Osteria Del Borgo, Cato Corner Farm, Baker's Bounty, Court Street Grocers, The Vanderbilt, Flatbush Farm, TCHO Chocolate, Butter Lane, Williams Fruit Farm and beer lovingly provided by Brookyn Brewery.

Admission is Free for kids under 12. Families are welcome and there will be a supervised kids activity area.

The beautiful painting above was created by Brooklyn artist Sally Mara Sturman. Visit her Esty shop to see more of her paintings and ceramics.

Dekalb Market

All images © Valery Rizzo

Hello everyone, my latest photo feature for the fabulous Nona Brooklyn is live and on the site. Nona is all about good food, meaning local, artisanal, sustainable and/or traditional food and drink made by people with a passion for what they do. November's feature is about Dekalb Market, a community of makers, artists, farmers and chefs all housed in a collection of salvaged shipping containers. To see the full feature...click here.