Statue of Liberty

Posts Tagged ‘Statue of Liberty’

Statue of Liberty Celebration and Costume Contest

Statue of Liberty Costume Contest and Book Launch

Celebrity Drag King Murray Hill and “Voice of the Subway” Bernie Wagenblast to Headline

On All Saints Day (Friday, November 1), the City Reliquary will celebrate the secular saint of New York, the Statue of Liberty, in a blowout celebration emceed by celebrity drag king Murray Hill, “the hardest-working middle-aged ‘man’ in showbiz.” Tickets are on sale now.

The celebration will mark the release of the exhibition catalog for Liberty the Tattooed Lady, a show about the history of Statue of Liberty tattoos that opened at the City Reliquary on March 15 and will close in mid-January. Copies of the book will be available for purchase. The exhibition is the first devoted entirely to the history of Statue of Liberty tattoos and was curated by Daredevil Tattoo co-owner and tattoo artist, Michelle Myles. Through a stunning collection of vintage tattoo art–including pieces never put on public display before–it shows how the Statue of Liberty has been embraced and embodied by American tattoo artists since the turn of the century. See it while you can!

Buy Tickets

A Costume Contest Celebrating Creative Liberties

The highlight of the event will surely be the Lady Liberty Costume Contest. The chance to compete is included with event admission. Contestants of all shapes, sizes, and gender identities are invited to display their creativity and love for our national icon. Please note, the City Reliquary does not have a dressing room. Contestants should arrive in costume!

Planning to compete? Let us know at [email protected]!

Our Celebrity Judges

Contestants will be evaluated on personality and costume creativity by a panel of three judges: transgender NYC transportation icon Bernie Wagenblast, who is literally the voice of the New York City subway system (“Please stand away from the platform edge!”); the reigning 2024 City Reliquary Miss Subways, burlesque performer Queerly Femmetastic; and 2024 Miss Subways first runner-up, comedian Dani Riedel.

After careful consideration, our fabulous judges will present the winner with a $500 gift certificate to Daredevil Tattoo and a copy of the catalog autographed by exhibition curator Michelle Myles. The second-place prize is a $250 Daredevil gift certificate and an autographed catalog.

Buy Tickets

Beer courtesy of our neighbors at Brooklyn Brewery. Rum provided by Sailor Jerry.

Tags: Bernie Wagenblast, Dani Riedel, Daredevil Tattoo, Exhibits, Michelle Myles, Miss Subways, Queerly Femmetastic, Statue of Liberty
Posted in Events, Press Releases | Comments Off on Statue of Liberty Celebration and Costume Contest

Liberty the Tattooed Lady: The Great Bartholdi Statue as Depicted in Tattooing

On View: March 15-January 12, 2024
Opening Reception: Friday, April 5 at 6 PM

The City Reliquary Museum and Daredevil Tattoo are proud to announce Liberty the Tattooed Lady: The Great Bartholdi Statue as Depicted in Tattooing. This new exhibition is the first devoted entirely to the history of Statue of Liberty tattoos. Through a stunning collection of vintage tattoo art–including pieces never put on public display before–it shows how the Statue of Liberty has been embraced and embodied by American tattoo artists since the turn of the century.

Since its unveiling in 1886, the Statue of Liberty has served as a symbol of New York City and the nation. Received as a gift from France to commemorate the Declaration of Independence and the abolition of slavery, Lady Liberty has long represented ideals often associated with the idea of America: freedom and liberty. Antique flash, vintage photographs, drawings, and other related objects on display in this exhibit show that Lady Liberty has been a popular subject in tattooing for as long as she’s stood in New York Harbor.

Guests will have the opportunity to view a stunning collection of vintage tattoo art, including pieces that have never been on public display before. The history of Lady Liberty in tattoo art is told through a stunning collection of antique flash, vintage photographs, drawings, stencils, paintings and other related objects.

This exhibition brings together artifacts from some of the most legendary tattooers of the early twentieth century, including–but not limited to–Bert Grimm, Owen Jensen, Dainty Dotty, Lou Normand, and Ralph Johnson.

This exhibition was curated by Michelle Myles of Daredevil Tattoo Shop & Museum.

Tags: Daredevil Tattoo, Exhibits, Michelle Myles, Statue of Liberty, Tattoo Art
Posted in Exhibit, Shows | Comments Off on Liberty the Tattooed Lady: The Great Bartholdi Statue as Depicted in Tattooing

Undiscarded: Stories of New York, Episode 1 (Lightbulb)

I discovered the City Reliquary Museum through my friend Harley Spiller, a City Reliquary board member infamously known as Inspector Collector. I was fascinated by the Reliquary’s quirky take on history and ll the New York-centric ephemera in its collection. But it wasn’t until I did a story on the Reliquary’s post-pandemic burlesque shows with the Last Chance Dancers, for Act Two New York, that I truly fell in love with the museum and the folks behind it. When David Hoffman suggested CitizenRacecar collaborate with the museum for a history podcast, I was thrilled to be part of it. We teamed up with City Reliquary board member Jacob Ford, and delved into the museum’s vast and peculiar collection to create Undiscarded: Stories of New York, a podcast that captures the spirit of the museum and the unique stories behind its seemingly ordinary artifacts.

Our first season is full of quintessential New York artifacts, forgotten histories, and a diverse array of fascinating guests. It made perfect sense to begin the series with an object from one of New York’s most iconic landmarks, the Statue of Liberty. The museum is renowned for its extensive collection of Lady Liberty statues and related memorabilia.

Wall of postcards featuring the Statue of Liberty at the City Reliquary

Close-up of 5 statues in the vitrine of hundreds of Statues of Liberty figurines in the City Reliquary

Closeup of more Statue of Liberty figurines from the Reliquary collection. Some are metal, others plastic. Some green, some white, some metallic.

As discussed in Episode 1, the crown jewel is a burned-out bulb gifted by Charlie DeLeo, a war veteran, long-time New York City Parks employee, and the Statue’s “Keeper of the Flame.” Now retired and celebrating his 75th birthday this weekend, I hope he listens to our podcast. Below are photos of Charlie in action and the bulb he gave the Museum. Don’t forget to check out the additional resources below for links to Charlie’s books and more articles!

A man in a hard hat smiles, holding a crooked broom — Credit: Statue of Liberty National Monument (National Park Service)

A young man blinks during a photo standing on the rim around the torch of the Statue of Liberty — Credit: Statue of Liberty National Monument (National Park Service)

Man in hard hat stand in doorframe in front of an empty room with a single chair — Photo by Bill McKay

Man in hard hat points in a dusty room — Photo by Bill Mckay

Man in hard hat with hands on hips — Photo by Bill McKay

Man in hard hat next to large chain links the size of himself on the Statue of Liberty — Photo from Statue of Liberty Monument

Dave Herman, the founder of the Reliquary, was the ideal person to discuss the story behind this object and the museum’s origins. Although conducting an in-person interview after many Zoom meetings felt intimidating, it went smoothly despite my occasional stumble over the word PLEXIGLAS (try saying it quickly three times folks!). I’m always amazed by the wealth of knowledge history enthusiasts possess. Jacob set up our “studio” near the main Statue of Liberty display case, which created a dramatic, old-timey radio show atmosphere—a fitting setting for the first episode of the Reliquary podcast.

We can’t wait to hear what you think of the show. Please tune in, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and spread the word. We have so many more stories to tell.

Return to Undiscarded

Posts Tagged ‘Statue of Liberty’