The Dolly Files

The Dolly Files is an interactive portable flat file unit containing original works of art, developed as an ongoing pubic outreach project in response to the growing absence of accessible exhibition spaces and the desire to make fine art available to a wider audience. The project began back in 2011 during my studio residency with Chashama at the Brooklyn Army Terminal, where I partnered with fellow artist Hayley McCulloch to bring our idea to life.

Selling visual art, music, and literature on the streets of NYC is a protected right of free speech under the First Amendment due to years of hard won battles with the state by artist and activist Robert Lederman, to whom I am extremely grateful.

With Hayley McCulloch on Bedford Ave, 2011

The original Dolly had drawers containing one of a kind pieces that viewers were invited to take out and engage with, including small sculptures, hand made prints, and other unique works.

I had the idea to revisit the project during the pandemic, and found this abandoned pram when I was out on bike ride one afternoon. It was exactly what I pictured in my mind for the base of the unit. One of best street finds yet!

These milk crates from my studio fit the carriage perfectly.

I created artwork specifically for the scale of the project, and continued to build out the unit.

Met up with Ali Hi at the Bedford Ave stop with her set-up, and headed out to 14th street in Manhattan.

Our fist stop was in Chelsea by the Whitney. It was the hottest day of the year, so it was kind of a bust.

We crossed the street to get some shade, only it was still brutally hot, so we didn’t stay out too long.

The cart handled the previous subway commute into Manhattan so well, that I decided to walk over the Williamsburg Bridge to our second trial location in Soho instead of taking the train. I love the curious looks and comments I get when I roll by.

Soho was fun, more people came up to look at the work and speak with us,

We hadn’t gone out in a few months, so I decided to go out close to home on my own one day . Many people came up to me and expressed interest in my work and project, it was a truly positive experience.

The next weekend, I went back out, and sold my first piece on the street before 11 a.m. ! It was so exciting, and I am thrilled to report that many pieces were acquired since then by local residents and visitors to the neighborhood. It has been amazing to make connections with new collectors in person!

I met Ryszard Semko, a local painter/printmaker who was also selling his beautiful prints on the same corner, and we and were later joined by some other local artist friends. Pictured is the work of Ryszard Semko, Ali Ha, Linda Byrne, and Sharilyn Neidhardt.