{"id":376913,"date":"2026-10-19T15:14:11","date_gmt":"2026-10-19T15:14:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/376913\/"},"modified":"2026-10-19T15:14:11","modified_gmt":"2026-10-19T15:14:11","slug":"pigeons-by-the-seashore-pays-homage-to-the-citys-feathered-friends-through-art-brooklyn-paper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/376913\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Pigeons by the Seashore\u2019 pays homage to the city\u2019s feathered friends through art \u2022 Brooklyn Paper"},"content":{"rendered":"

A flock of drawn, painted and carved pigeons landed in Coney Island this month as \u201cPigeons by the Seashore,\u201d a group art exhibition celebrating the beloved birds, opened at the Freak Bar.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Pigeons arrived in the U.S. back in the 1600s, brought over<\/a> by European settlers who mostly used them for food. They carried critical messages across the front lines during the World Wars, and pigeon breeders<\/a> lovingly tended to massive flocks in rooftop coops across New York City in the mid-20th century.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Now, there are only a few coops left, but more than 1 million feral pigeons live wild across the five boroughs. Despite their long and loving history with humans, some New Yorkers see the birds as \u201crats with wings.\u201d But exhibit curator Allison Garber \u2014 better known as burlesque performer Little Brooklyn<\/a> \u2014 sees magic in the humble pigeon.<\/p>\n

\"pigeonA collage made of MetroCards by artist Nina Boesch.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can see these underrated creatures everywhere<\/a>,\u201d she said in a statement. \u201cOn sidewalks, rooftops, shop awnings, subway platforms, always adding a little monochromatic beauty with a splash of iridescence wherever they go.\u201d<\/p>\n

She invited the 26 artists taking part in \u201cPigeons on the Seashore<\/a>\u201d to take a closer look at their feathered friends, exploring them as symbols of survival, beauty, community, and much more.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe pigeon represents so much in all of us. It\u2019s a survivor, it\u2019s scrappy, it\u2019s persistent, it\u2019s always in motion,\u201d Garber said. \u201cThe pigeon is equally goofy and elegant at the same time. On top of all that, they can fly, which is something many of us can only dream about.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"pigeon\u201cFortune Teller Pigeon\u201d and a small beaded bird, both on display at \u201cPigeons on the Seashore.\u201d Images courtesy of Caryn Cast\/Hands of Julia\/Coney Island USA \"pigeonSteve Ellis\u2019 detailed illustration showing a pigeon and some of Coney Island\u2019s most beloved attractions. Image courtesy of Steve Ellis\/Coney Island USA<\/p>\n

The exhibit includes a range of pieces, like collages showing the birds enjoying Coney Island\u2019s sights, sounds and shorelines by artists Erin Mathewson and Isabel Roxasl; a piece comprised of sliced-up MetroCards by Nina Boesch; and a tiny, beaded pigeon by Hands of Julia.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The brightly-colored \u201cFortune Teller Pigeon\u201d by Caryn Cast captures Coney Island\u2019s unique, magical offerings; while Duke Riley\u2019s<\/a> detailed embroidered pieces pay homage to the city\u2019s long history of pigeon-keeping.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cPigeons by the Seashore\u201d debuted on Oct. 18 at the Freak Bar, 1208 Surf Ave. in Coney Island, and will remain on view through January 2027. <\/p>\n