Heads Up: Spring Classes at BRAC Start April 19

BRONX RIVER ART CENTER Celebrating

37 Years of Bringing Arts & Cultural Programs to the Bronx

Click Here to Register for Spring Classes

Registration is still open for BRAC’s spring art classes for youth, teens, and adults Classes run from April 19 to June 26, and there's something for every skill level.

Discounts are available!

If you live in Bronx ZIP codes 10451–10460, 10462, 10467, or 10472–10474, you can receive 40% off by entering your ZIP code as a promo code at checkout.

Looking for more savings?

We’re also offering limited-time 45% off tickets for early sign-ups. Use the promo code SPR2025FlashSale while supplies last for certain classes only.

Want to learn more?

Visit our website for detailed class descriptions, pricing info, and discount instructions.

Ready to register?

Scroll to the bottom of the webpage to purchase your ticket — and don’t wait, spots are limited!

TUESDAYS (4/22, 4/29, 5/6, 5/13, 5/20, 5/27, 6/3, 6/10, 6/17)

Pottery Wheel Throwing/Clase de cerámica 5:00 - 7:00pm

with Ana Ruiz-Castillo (1 SPOT LEFT)

• ENG/ESP ceramics wheel class for Adults

Expressive Drawing / Portfolio Building 6:30 - 8:00pm

with Shawn Hill

•  Get 45% off with code SPR2025FlashSale
• The discount applies to the first to sign up.
• Drawing class for Teens/Adults

WEDNESDAYS (4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28, 6/4, 6/11, 6/18)

Drawing in All Forms 4:30 - 6:00pm

with Matthew Burcaw  Great for Young Artist: 7 and up

•  Get 50% off with code BRyoungartistAC2025
• The discount applies to the first to sign up.
• Drawing class for Youth

Drawing & Painting 6:15 - 8:15pm

with Shawn Hill 

•  Get 45% off with code SPR2025FlashSale
• The discount applies to the first to sign up.
• Drawing & painting class for Teens/Adults

Objects of Importance 6:00 - 8:00pm

with Jill Cohen-Nuñez 

•  Get 50% off with code BRyoungartistAC2025
• The discount applies to the first to sign up.
• Ceramics class for Teens/Adults, 
• ONLY five (5) weeks starting April 23rd

THURSDAYS (4/24, 5/8, 5/15, 5/22, 5/29, 6/5, 6/12, 6/26)

Ceramics (Handbuilding)  4:30 - 6:30pm

with Matthew Burcaw (Limited Space)

• Ceramics class for Youth/Teens/Adults

Comic Design 4:30 - 6:00pm

with Tony Burstion 

• Drawing class for Youth/Teens
•  Get 50% off with code BRyoungartistAC2025
• The discount applies to the first to sign up.

Classical Drawing 6:15 - 8:15pm

with Jaron Newton 

•  Get 45% off with code SPR2025FlashSale
• The discount applies to the first to sign up.
• Drawing class for Teens/Adults

SATURDAYS (4/19, 4/26, 5/10, 5/17, 5/24, 5/31, 6/7, 6/14, 6/21)

Beginner Pottery 10:00am - 12:00pm

with Matthew Burcaw (Great for Young Artist: 7 -13)

•  Get 50% off with code BRyoungartistAC2025
• The discount applies to the first to sign up.
• Ceramics wheel class for Youth/Teens,

Printmaking & Drawing 10:00am - 12:00pm

with Tammy Wofsey 

•  Get 45% off with code SPR2025FlashSale
• The discount applies to the first to sign up.
•  Get 50% off with code BRyoungartistAC2025
• The discount applies to the first to sign up.
• Drawing/printmaking class for Youth/Adults

Experimenting with Art 12:15pm - 2:00pm

with Dana Barnes 

• GREAT FAMILY CLASS: Drawing & painting class for Youth/Teens/Adults
•  Buy one adult ticket and purchase a teen/youth ticket 50% off
• Email education@bronxriverart.org to learn more or claim your discount.

Printmaking with Linoleum 12:00pm - 2:00 pm

with Tammy Wofsey 

• Drawing/printmaking class for Teens/Adults

Alla Prima Painting 2:15 - 4:15pm

with Jaron Newton 

•  Get 45% off with code SPR2025FlashSale
• The discount applies to the first to sign up.
• Painting class for Teens / Adult

Digital Painting 2:15 - 4:15pm

with Gabriel Freire 

•  Get 45% off with code SPR2025FlashSale
• The discount applies to the first to sign up.
• Digital Painting for Teens/Adult

Click Here to Register for Spring Classes

Honduran Man Extradited for Role in International Drug Smuggling Conspiracy

 

Extensive coordination and cooperation between U.S. and Honduran law enforcement authorities resulted in the extradition of a Honduran national for his alleged role in a conspiracy to smuggle drugs from Honduras to the United States.

According to court documents, Olvin Javier Velasquez Maldonado, 39, conspired with others to bring approximately 24 kilograms of cocaine from Honduras to the United States aboard a vessel attempting to bring 23 Honduran aliens illegally into the United States. In February 2022, the U.S. Coast Guard interdicted the M/V Pop, a 65’ sportfishing vessel, approximately 75 miles off the coast of Louisiana after it developed engine trouble and lost power. The U.S. Coast Guard responded, found the aliens and cocaine, and towed the vessel to shore. The M/V Pop departed from Utila, Honduras, and was destined for Cocodrie, Louisiana. Velasquez Maldonado was allegedly responsible for bringing the cocaine on board the M/V Pop and ensuring its safe delivery. When he was apprehended, according to court documents, Velasquez Maldonado posed as an alien intending to remain in the United States so he could avoid prosecution.

Velasquez Maldonado is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Velasquez Maldonado made his initial court appearance today in the Eastern District of Louisiana. He was detained and will have his detention hearing on Monday. If convicted, Velasquez Maldonado faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Co-defendants Carl Allison, 47, Darrel Martinez, 41, and Josue Flores-Villeda, 37, previously pleaded guilty in 2023 to conspiracy to unlawfully bring aliens to the United States for financial gain and conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine hydrochloride. Lenord Cooper, 40, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to aid and assist aliens to enter the United States unlawfully and attempting to bring aliens to the United States for commercial advantage and private financial gain. Two co-defendants, Hennessy Devon Cooper Zelaya, 29, and Rudy Jackson Hernandez, 38, were convicted after trial of one count of conspiracy to unlawfully bring aliens to the United States for commercial advantage and private financial gain and two counts of attempting to bring aliens to the United States for commercial advantage and private financial gain.  

Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson for the Eastern District of Louisiana and Special Agent in Charge Eric DeLaune of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New Orleans Field Office made the announcement.

The investigation and extradition of Velasquez Maldonado was coordinated under Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA) and the Extraterritorial Criminal Travel Strike Force (ECT) Program. JTFA, a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has been elevated and expanded by the Attorney General with a mandate to target cartels and transnational criminal organizations to eliminate human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Colombia that impact public safety and the security of our borders.

JTFA is currently comprised of detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the southwest border. Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, led by the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and supported by the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Office of Enforcement Operations, and the Office of International Affairs, among others. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, FBI, DEA, and other partners. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 360 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling; more than 325 U.S. convictions; more than 270 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets.

The ECT program is a partnership between the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and HSI and focuses on human smuggling networks that may present particular national security or public safety risks or present grave humanitarian concerns. ECT has dedicated investigative, intelligence, and prosecutorial resources. ECT also coordinates and receives assistance from other U.S. government agencies and foreign law enforcement authorities.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.

The HSI Houma, Louisiana Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from the HSI Pittsburgh Field Office, HSI Atlanta Field Office, and Louisiana Bureau of Investigation. The HSI Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C., U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s National Targeting Center International Interdiction Task Force, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations, Louisiana State Police, Pennsylvania State Police, North Huntington Township Police and Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office also provided valuable assistance. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance. The Criminal Division’s Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training in Honduras also provided assistance.

Deputy Chief Rami Badawy of the Criminal Division’s HRSP and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carter Guice of the General Crimes Unit for the Eastern District of Louisiana are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Attorney General James Announces 638 Guns Turned in at Syracuse Gun Buyback

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that 638 firearms were turned in at a community gun buyback event in Syracuse hosted by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), the New York State Police, and the Syracuse Police Department. This event was part of Attorney General James’ ongoing effort to combat gun violence and keep New Yorkers safe. To date, Attorney General James has removed more than 9,000 guns from New York state since taking office in 2019.

“Gun buyback events empower members of local communities and nearby regions to turn in unwanted firearms and be a part of the solution against gun violence,” said Attorney General James. “Every one of the guns we recovered today was a potential life saved and a tragedy avoided. I thank the New York State Police, the Syracuse Police Department,  and my partners in local government for their commitment to helping protect New Yorkers.”

This buyback event in Syracuse resulted in 638 guns being turned in, including 130 assault weapons, 333 handguns, 2 ghost guns, and 150 long guns. Following today’s gun buyback event, Attorney General James has helped remove more than 9,000 guns out of New York communities.

“We can only succeed in reducing gun violence if we use every strategy available,” said Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh. “Gun buybacks have and should continue to be part of our approach in Syracuse. For people in possession of guns they no longer want, buybacks provide a safe way to dispose of those weapons, and that’s good for our neighborhoods. I thank Attorney General James for teaming with the Syracuse Police Department to administer this effective program in Syracuse.” 

“I would like to thank the Attorney General’s Office for organizing another gun buy back event in the city of Syracuse,” said Syracuse Police Chief Joe Cecile. “Events like these, along with other proactive initiatives and the efforts of the hardworking men and women of law enforcement, are the best team strategy for driving gun violence numbers down while protecting our law-abiding citizens.”

Governor Hochul Directs State Flags to be Lowered in Memory of More Than 200 Lives Lost at Dominican Republic Nightclub

Governor Kathy Hochul directed flags to be lowered at half staff to honor the lives of more than 200 individuals who were killed in the tragic roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Multiple victims have been identified as New Yorkers.

“Our hearts break for our beloved neighbors in the Dominican Republic who are grieving a massive loss,” Governor Hochul said. “This week I have spoken to key leaders, including the Dominican Consul General in New York and Congressman Adriano Espaillat, to express our condolences and discuss ways to partner in the future. With more than 1 million people of Dominican descent in the Empire State, the ties between New York and the Dominican Republic remain unshakeable.”

New York has the largest Dominican population of any U.S. State. In recent years, Governor Hochul has expressed her support for the Dominican community and strengthened cultural and economic collaboration between New York State and the Dominican Republic. The Governor has highlighted $1.5 million in State funding for the Dominican Studies Institute at City College and established $12.5 million to create a Dominican Center for the Arts and Culture in northern Manhattan, because she believes New York would not be the community that it is without Dominican Americans.

Flags will be lowered from Saturday, April 12 to Sunday, April 13.