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<\/p>\nJoe Killian knows a thing or two about Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage.<\/p>\n
After all, the entertainment, media and marketing executive founded the beloved outdoor performing arts festival in 1986.<\/p>\n
It all started with a concert at the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park by the Sun Ra Arkestra.<\/p>\n
What You Need To Know<\/p>\n
A new photo exhibit at the Arsenal Gallery in Central Park looks back on 40 years of Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage
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It features the photography of Jack Vartoogian\u00a0
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SummerStage is a beloved performing arts festival in Central Park and parks around the five boroughs of New York City\u00a0<\/p>\n
“I really do not feel like 40 years have passed since I started SummerStage. It feels fresh. It feels alive,” Killian said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The excitement of those 40 years is the focus of a photo exhibition at the city’s Parks Department’s Arsenal Gallery in Central Park. It’s called “40 in Focus: SummerStage Through the Lens of Photographer Jack Vartoogian.”<\/p>\n
Vartoogian, a longtime house photographer at the festival, captured hundreds of SummerStage performances from 1987 to 2019.<\/p>\n
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(Courtesy of Jack Vartoogian)<\/p>\n
The photos feature everyone from Patti Smith to David Byrne, Lou Reed to Mavis and Pops Staples. Killian said performers have always brought their A game to SummerStage.<\/p>\n
“It may rain, it may be 100 degrees, but I can guarantee the crowd is going to demand. They’re a New York audience, and even though they may not have paid for a ticket, they’re still going to demand a great show. And I’ve got to say, these artists deliver,” Killian said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Thousands of artists have played to over 7 million attendees across the five boroughs over the four decades.<\/p>\n
Killian is still on the board for SummerStage and co-chairs the arts committee. He said he had no idea the concept would last more than a few years.<\/p>\n
“I’m very, very grateful for the history of SummerStage, of Central Park, but also all the people who contributed over the years to keep it going. The artists, but especially the fans,” Killian said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The photo exhibit is at the Arsenal Gallery until Aug. 21.<\/p>\n