Show notes
The title of this article is really a misnomer because Marcia Bricker Halperin knew all along that the archive she built over 40-years contains gold. But she waited until she retired from teaching to create a book from her life’s work.On a winder day in 1975 Marcia ducked into Dubrow’s Cafeteria on Kings Highway in her native Brooklyn to escape the cold. Over the next three years she returned regularly, camera in hand, to record the life and culture among the regulars in this local landmark unique to New York. It was a happy accident that proves you never know where a photo project will lead. Nothing will happen until you take the first step and do the work.During the podcast conversation Marcia tells the story of how she created her book, Kibbitz and Nosh: When We All Met at Dubrow’s Cafeteria , by mining her archive, making difficult selections, scanning negatives, and finding a publisher that believes in her vision and finally making it a reality. Early in her career Marcia was employed by the CETA Artist’s Project under the auspices of the Cultural Council Foundation. Her assignments included photographing the Soviet refugees and their introduction to American culture in Brighton Beach and photographing housing issues in Hell’s Kitchen.In the late 1970s, she was active in the Photographers Forum, an organization that was a continuation of the 1940s Photo League. She assisted with organizing their meetings and panels held at the New School, which featured photographers such as W. Eugene Smith and Roy DeCarava.Marcia’s personal story of how she leverages her archives to publish her book is an inspiration to any photographer who dreams of exposing their own work to the world.Marcia’s portrait by Phil O’BrienExhibitions and book eventsExhibition: Edward Hopper House Museum & Study Center Through June 25, 202382 N Broadway, Nyack, NY 10960Link: https://www.edwardhopperhouse.org/kibbitz.htmlArtist Talk: Sunday, June 11, 2-3:00 at the Nyack Library, 82 N Broadway, Nyack, NY 10960Followed by a tour of the exhibition at Edward Hopper HouseArtist Talk: Sunday, June 11, 2-3:00 at the Nyack Library, 82 N Broadway, Nyack, NY 10960Followed by a tour of the exhibition at Edward Hopper HouseExhibition: Garment District Arts AllianceKaufman Arcade132 West 36th Street, NYCMay 15 – August 25, 2023 Garment District Tour and exhibit viewing Monday, June 5th – 10:30 amMeet at the Giant Needle and Yellow ButtonWest 39th Street and 7th AvenueEmail Marcia at mmhalp@gmail.com to reserve a spotA selection of Marcia’s photosTaxi from Kibbitz and NoshMan with Bowtie from Kibbitz and NoshPencil Moustache from Kibbitz and Nosh47th Street Boys from Marcia’s CETA Artist’s Project Hell’s Kitchen seriesLinks from the showMarcia’s WebsiteKibbitz and Nosh: When We All Met at Dubrow’s Cafeteria on AmazonInstagramFacebook