By Anthony Rifilato
Downstairs, a line of people waiting to get into the busy art exhibit stretched out the door, while upstairs - in a loft space with white walls and exposed brick - music reverberated as a D.J. played everything from soul to house music. A bustling mix of corporate types and hipsters with daring hair styles and trendy clothes flitted about the room, many holding drinks and chatting as they checked out the numerous pieces on display.
On the far corner of the room hung Mangones' piece, a colorful, vibrant image of a Haitian market place. The 30-year Baldwin resident and father of two stood by his painting, next to a window overlooking the Hudson River, as people regularly came by to commend his piece, titled "Open Market." Though Mangones said he's been painting since he was a boy, this is the first time his work has ever been shown in a gallery, let alone in the heart of New York City's art scene.
"Before this, no one saw my work," said Mangones, who works at Starbucks in Jericho when he is not making art. "There are not too many companies that encourage their employees like this."
The company he referred to is Starbucks, and Mangones was one of more than 60 artists and Starbucks "partners" - they don't call them employees - displaying their work at the company's Avant-Grande Gala and Exhibit on March 1. Over 80 pieces of art made exclusively by Starbucks baristas, ranging from oil based paintings and photos to jewelry and sculptures were on display at the event, which raised $5,000 to benefit the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, a non-profit that provides arts access and education to New York City youth.
Not only can they make savory Lattes or cappuccinos; baristas at the event clearly demonstrated a range of talents that go way beyond their green aprons. Since many are artists and musicians, Starbucks began exhibiting their employees' artwork in 2003 as a way to support their outside interests and give them an opportunity to sell their work. The move to showcase their talents came after employees would create elaborate decorations on the stores' chalkboards, which quickly drew the attention of customers and company officials.
"This need was felt, especially since our partners have a lot of talent outside of the workplace," said Malvi Shah, a marketing specialist for the company. "For Starbucks, the most important thing is our partners, who are so critical to the company."
This is the second year that the event has been held in New York, and it has spread to more than a dozen cities across the country. Of the 350 stores in New York, Starbucks reached out to its baristas three months before the event, who in turn had the chance to submit their entries, Shah said.
"One girl just came up to me so excited because she just sold three pieces of jewelry," Shah said. "The feedback has been fantastic. As a team, we're committed to making this bigger and better."
Among the Starbucks employees at the event, 13 were from Long Island. Franklin Square resident Marika Gianakopoulos, 25, works at the Franklin Avenue location and attends the New York Institute of Technology when she's not making grande caramel macchiatos, and is pursuing a degree in art education. The aspiring teacher said her photos received a positive buzz after they were featured at 2005's Avant-Grande.
"The first time I was excited, and this year I'm even more excited," she said. "Knowing that my artwork would be displayed, it's amazing."
Gianakopoulos' photos included an obelisk-like image of a skyline sloping upward, vividly blending the crisp blue sky and white clouds, while the other, titled Reflections, captured an almost watery, distorted image of a glass building façade intertwined with the shadows of branches.
"You get to see a piece of your co-worker's soul that you just don't see on a day-to-day basis," said Justin Levine, who works at Starbucks in Jericho. "It really allows us to see what everyone is about in a wonderful way, especially through art. It makes the company into more of a community."
Starbucks is known for its good employee benefits and flexible hours, Shah said, which makes it a popular job for artists and creative types. Starbucks also hosts an Avant-Grande music and culinary showcase for its baristas, and employees like Gianakopoulos say events like these are one of the job's many perks. "The environment is very friendly and it's unlike any job I've ever had," she said. "I've made a lot of friends. I also get to see other people's artwork, and I get inspired from that."
Mangones, who has been with Starbucks for just over a year, said he is now able to turn what was once a hobby into a full-time passion. And in between creating venti peppermint mochas, he said he's even planning to enter a competition to create a Starbucks gift card. "I used to say, 'I can be a starving artist and not eat, or get a job,'" Mangones said. "Now that I work for Starbucks, I can create more. Everyone I work with is excited for me, even our customers."
For Mangones' co-workers, it was a chance to see another side of the working father of two daughters who graduated from Baldwin High School.
"I'm so happy he is able to showcase his art," said co-worker Amanda Rothbell. "Nobody knows Rey like this."
Photos Courtesy Stanton Crenshaw Communications
