Creative Ozone: Reading and Discussion

Dr. Miriam Chaiken launches her book Creative Ozone: The Artists of Westbeth at the University Art Museum, November 6 at 5:30 PM. Join us for a reading and discussion with author Dr. Miriam Chaiken. Copies of Creative Ozone: The Artists of Westbeth will be available for purchase after the presentation.

Miriam Chaiken is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Anthropology from New Mexico State University. Her previous research focused on maternal and child health, gender equity, and development in sub-Saharan Africa. Her most recent edited volumes include Applied Anthropology and Social Change and Responses to Disasters and Climate Change. 

In Creative Ozone, Miriam Chaiken offers a rare insider’s look at this extraordinary community. Drawing on intimate interviews with multiple generations of Westbeth residents, including those who grew up in the building as "feral children" immersed in art from birth, Chaiken captures the spirit of a place where creativity and activism are inseparable. She explores how Westbeth artists have weathered gentrification, economic upheavals, and major historical events, from 9/11 and Hurricane Sandy to the ongoing pandemic, revealing the resilience of this one-square-block artistic village. Blending vivid storytelling with cultural history, Creative Ozone is a tribute to the artists who shaped, and were shaped by, New York City. 

Rich with character-driven narratives, this book will captivate art lovers, history buffs, and anyone fascinated by the creative life. Whether you’re drawn to the bohemian legends of Greenwich Village, the evolution of urban spaces, or the intersection of art and activism, Creative Ozone offers an unforgettable portrait of a community like no other.