Bart Brooks aka Barton Brooks, Bartholomew Brooks, Bart Brookenstein, Poppi, Bartimus Maximus, Barty Beanski, Baruch… of Philadelphia.
Artist. Theologian. Punster. Religious scholar. Thread in the fabric of Center City, Rittenhouse Square, and West Philly. Patron of La Colombe and assorted other establishments. Conversationalist. Reader and reciter of scripture. Quoter of lines from songs and poems. Smoker of cigarettes and drinker of coffee. Philanthropist – donator of beauty, laughter, and spirit. Much loving, much beloved, and sometimes curmudgeonly son, brother, in-law, uncle, boyfriend, neighbor, friend, witness, guide. Shoulder-er of burdens: As Doris A. wrote, “Bart … led a heroic life – despite and amid the internal chaos.” Amen, brother.
Beginning November 29th, there will be a short informal show displaying Bart’s brother Joshua Brooks’ collection. Below are some of these paintings.
On January 26th, we will put together a formal show as well as a remembrance event. If you have a piece by Bart and would like to contribute to this show please email art@lacolombe.net or call the main office at 215-426-2011.
If you do have a piece by Bart, it would be appreciated if you could also contact Joshua Brooks to help him collect images of Bart’s work to create an archive. You can email him at brooksjl@sas.upenn.edu or call him at 215-910-2985.
Click here to see more of Bart’s work.
