Genevieve Dimmitt /Kylie Jane Wakefield

Bringing Together Artists and Vendors, One Truck At a Time

This past Sunday, October 2nd, a different kind of trucker invaded Brooklyn. However, in a refreshing twist, these trucks did not tie-up traffic along Meeker Avenue or sit noisily idling in front of people’s homes at night. These vehicles, filled with art, food, and fashionable merchandise were here for Truck Yeah, Crown Victoria’s first mobile meet up for local artists and food-on-wheels.

Two artist collectives, Art Cart NYC and Etta Place, sponsored the festivities, which were inspired by alternative art movements and events from around Brooklyn over the past two years. Hannah Flegelman, who founded Art Cart said, “New York City is now highly populated by trucks. These entrepreneurs are the real innovators of New York City and cities across the country. Truck Yeah is a hub for all of us to come together, come up with new ideas and events, and think of new ways to bring people together.”

Liz and Genevieve Dimmitt, the two sisters behind Etta Place, (who also consult for Gawker Artists) held their show, Resident Artists, inside their truck. The artists, all Brooklyn based, showcased a variety of forms ranging from sculpture and painting to textile and wallpaper designs.

Ten other organizations had trucks, including Adam Courtney for Gawker Artists, Stephen Zerbe of El Camino ARTRV, artists Amia Yokoyama and Kennedy Yanko for Art Cart NYC, and BangON! NYC, which put up live music. The Lonely Goat Dance Company also performed. Some of the food and beverage trucks included Greenpoint-based company Green Pirate Juice Truck, Rickshaw Dumpling Truck, Coolhaus Ice Cream Sandwiches, and The Mud Truck.

A week prior to the event, the Dimmitt sisters and Flegelman hit a roadblock. Truck Yeah was originally to be held on the Lower East Side, but they had not received permits from the Department of Transportation. Despite the setback, they pulled through, and were successful. “We went through the debacle of the original thought not working out,” Liz said. “We had to change the location and there was a bit of scrambling, but it came together nicely.” Due to the popularity of the first meet up, they’re planning on taking Truck Yeah to Miami, and holding it again in New York City next spring.

Truck Yeah was important to the three organizers because it took art outside galleries, food out of restaurants, and jewelry out of stores and into a temporary space on the street. “We’re literally taking art to the streets and encouraging the public to engage in art in unexpected and exciting ways,” said Liz. “Having people think about art as an experience, a festival, or a happening. Having it in unexpected places really changes people’s perceptions of art.”

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