West Side Rag
  • TOP NEWS
  • OPEN/CLOSED
  • FOOD
  • SCHOOLS
  • OUTDOORS
  • REAL ESTATE
  • ART & CULTURE
  • POLITICS
  • COLUMNS
  • CRIME
  • HISTORY
  • ABSURDITY
  • ABOUT US
    • OUR STORY
    • CONTRIBUTORS
    • CONTACT
West Side Rag
No Result
View All Result
SUPPORT THE RAG

Search the site

No Result
View All Result
Get WSR FREE in your inbox
SUPPORT THE RAG

PORTRAIT OF A NEIGHBOR: JULIE VALENTIN

January 17, 2015 | 2:01 PM - Updated on January 21, 2015 | 6:26 PM
in ART, COLUMNS
1

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

julia valentinJulie 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. https://www.lilacgallerynyc.com/upcoming#/stepping-out-in-new-york/

Share this article:
SUPPORT THE RAG
guest

guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

1 Comment
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
marie
marie
10 years ago

For a neighborhood that was once a home to writers, artists and “intellectuals”, the upper west side is sparse with art galleries.

0
Reply

YOU MIGHT LIKE...

Happy Father’s Day Upper West Side!
ART

Happy Father’s Day Upper West Side!

June 15, 2025 | 8:15 AM
WSR Cartoon: Upper West Side Dad Polling Well
ABSURDITY

WSR Cartoon: Upper West Side Dad Polling Well

June 15, 2025 | 8:03 AM
Previous Post

HISTORICAL SOCIETY PHOTOS DOCUMENT SELMA-TO-MONTGOMERY MARCH

Next Post

TACO-TRUCK CREEP STEALS CASH, FAKE DIAMOND EARRINGS

this week's events image
Next Post
TACO-TRUCK CREEP STEALS CASH, FAKE DIAMOND EARRINGS

TACO-TRUCK CREEP STEALS CASH, FAKE DIAMOND EARRINGS

COMMUNITY BOARD MEETING WEDNESDAY FEATURES APTHORP, PLASTIC BAG CHARGES

DEADLINE APPROACHING TO JOIN COMMUNITY BOARD 7

SILVER STARS FITNESS TEACHES YOU HOW TO SLOW DOWN THE AGING PROCESS TO A CRAWL (SPONSORED)

SILVER STARS FITNESS TEACHES YOU HOW TO SLOW DOWN THE AGING PROCESS TO A CRAWL (SPONSORED)

  • ABOUT US
  • CONTACT US
  • NEWSLETTER
  • WSR MERCH!
  • ADVERTISE
  • EVENTS
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TERMS OF USE
  • SITE MAP
Site design by RLDGROUP

© 2025 West Side Rag | All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • TOP NEWS
  • THIS WEEK’S EVENTS
  • OPEN/CLOSED
  • FOOD
  • SCHOOLS
  • OUTDOORS
  • REAL ESTATE
  • ART & CULTURE
  • POLITICS
  • COLUMNS
  • CRIME
  • HISTORY
  • ABSURDITY
  • ABOUT
    • OUR STORY
    • CONTRIBUTORS
    • CONTACT US
  • WSR SHOP

© 2025 West Side Rag | All rights reserved.