Editor’s Note: As part of a regular West Side Rag series, artist Michelle Hill interviews and draws Upper West Siders. This is the 18th installment in our Portrait of a Neighbor series.
By Michelle Hill
Julie Valentin was born in New York City in 1991.
How long have you lived here?
I’ve lived in the same building and same apartment on a great street on the Upper West Side since I was born.
What have you been doing?
I attended schools in the neighborhood, and wound up finishing high school and college in upstate NY. After being around different walks of life, styles, demographics, just different culture in general, nothing beats NYC, or the Upper West Side, so, I’m back and working my way to become a Montessori teacher. I’ve been working with young children actually at the same grammar school I attended. It’s crazy to see all of your teachers still there after they all made such an impact on your life.
What do you like about the Upper West Side?
I’d have to say the general vibe. I can’t say the Upper West Side is what it used to be but I don’t think it’s lost its roots. I always think the people are really cool, down to earth liberal people. It still has a neighborhood feeling, and it’s very convenient; everything you need is basically walking distance away.
What do you think needs to change?
Honestly, less nail salons in a one block radius and less banks on literally every corner.
What are the concerns of young people on the UWS?
Rent. As once heard on NPR “the high rent is turning into a form of birth control”. It’s hard for people, like me, who grew up in the neighborhood to actually afford to live here.
More of Michelle’s work will be on display in an exhibit opening later this month: Lilac Gallery New York is pleased to present “Stepping Out in New York,” a group exhibition of oil paintings and photography presenting Cindy Shaoul, Alexandra Roshan Gottlieb, Michelle Hill, Leah Afriat, Julie Filipenko, Laura Okita and Kristina Nemethy, from January 28 through February 25, 2015. The exhibition will open with a reception on January 28 from 7-9 p.m. http://www.lilacgallerynyc.com/upcoming#/stepping-out-in-new-york/
For a neighborhood that was once a home to writers, artists and “intellectuals”, the upper west side is sparse with art galleries.