Open Source Mixes Art, Food, and Conversation

Open Source Mixes Art, Food, and Conversation
Zachary Stieber
11/30/2011
Updated:
12/1/2011

The Open Source Gallery is hosting its 4th annual Soup Kitchen, which seeks to provide food for everyone through one-pot meals prepared by a different volunteer cook every night of December from 7–9 p.m.

“It’s something that people have really taken to: sharing and getting together this time of year and doing these simple things,” said Frank De Leon-Jones, one of the curators of the gallery. “It’s really great how people are inspired to actually come out.”

The cook takes responsibility for making the dish. “Unique dishes from any ethnic tradition are more than welcome,” states an inviting introduction to the event on the Open Source website. The gallery provides dishes and help with planning the meal. A variety of dishes, including Austrian and Korean, have been prepared in previous years.

“The nice thing . . . that tends to revolve around Open Source is it’s a mix of the families from the local neighborhood, that is Park Slope ... and the different artists that come in and also want to join,” said De Leon-Jones. The artists “come in from all around the country and the world.”

A fire destroyed their gallery last year, so people hosted the event in their homes. Now, the gallery has a permanent location in Park Slope, Brooklyn, at 306 17th St.

In 2009, “some nights up to 50 people were standing in line for the delicious food, other nights the conversation, wine, and beer kept us up until 3 a.m. …,” recalled past participant Lily White, according to Open Source Gallery’s website. “Sometimes the conversation flows easily and sometimes not, but the food is nearly always tasty (it’s New York after all–we have standards!)”

De Leon-Jones said the event manifests what the gallery is about. “Bringing together the immediate community of where the gallery is with intellectual discourse and art, and combining these two things so that they’re open for everyone.”

Persons who wish to volunteer as cooks can contact the gallery, though the slots are filling fast; Dec. 1–Dec. 18 are reserved, except for Dec. 9.

The soup kitchens themselves are open to all on a first-come, first-served basis.

“It’s a very welcoming place, and this is part of our identity,” said De Leon-Jones. “To open up our doors and have everyone come in and enjoy some food and wine together. And art, of course!”