On Thursday, March 20th, Casita Maria Arts & Education Center in the Bronx proudly unveiled its latest exhibition, “You CAN Sit Here,” a powerful and deeply personal installation by artist Tiff McFierce. Known for its commitment to arts education and community engagement, Casita Maria continues to use its gallery space as a platform for cultural expression, healing, and inclusion.
Casita Maria, part of our Federation of Agencies, has long integrated expressive arts into its after-school programs, providing young people with creative outlets to process trauma, regulate emotions, and develop life skills. This year, the organization extended that mission beyond the classroom, incorporating themes of wellness and belonging into its gallery exhibitions. “You CAN Sit Here” is a poignant continuation of that initiative.
The exhibition follows last year’s “Animal Studies” by teaching artist Maria Pia, which explored the therapeutic power of art in coping with loss. In a similar vein, McFierce’s work transforms the gallery into a reimagined living room, inviting visitors to reflect on personal and cultural narratives related to home and acceptance.
Tiff McFierce, a Bronx native with Jamaican roots, draws inspiration from her childhood experiences. Growing up in an immigrant household, she was not allowed to sit on certain pieces of furniture, a rule many from similar backgrounds may find familiar. With “You CAN Sit Here,” McFierce challenges that notion by creating an inviting space where visitors are encouraged to sit, connect, and feel at home. The installation includes sourced furniture and design elements that align with her vision of warmth, openness, and intergenerational connection.
Casita Maria’s gallery serves as an educational tool for students in the program, helping them engage with art in meaningful ways. All students receive guided tours of each exhibition, learning how to interact with art spaces and seeing firsthand that galleries are places where they belong. By showcasing artists from diverse backgrounds, Casita Maria ensures that the artwork reflects the vibrant cultures of Hunts Point and the South Bronx.
“We want people to see a piece of themselves in this space,” said Tracy Fortson, Development Manager at Casita Maria. “Representation matters. Art is not just something to observe—it’s something to experience and to feel a connection to.”
Casita Maria has been part of the Catholic Charities of New York network since its inception, forming a longstanding partnership rooted in a shared mission of service and empowerment. “It’s incredible to have partners like Catholic Charities who believe in our work and support our mission,” Fortson shared. “Whenever we need help fulfilling our vision, we know we can count on them.”
Gail Heidel, Casita Maria’s Artistic Director, emphasized the importance of the gallery as a tool for engagement and healing. “Our mission is to foster creativity and self-expression for young people in our community. Exhibitions like this encourage dialogue about identity, heritage, and personal storytelling,” she shared. Art is not just about observation—it’s about participation, and this exhibit embodies that beautifully.
Beyond exhibitions, Casita Maria offers extensive arts education programming for students from kindergarten through high school. Current offerings include choir, musical theater, visual arts, free ballet classes, and traditional Puerto Rican dance and drumming (Bomba y Plena). Additionally, a teen artist apprenticeship program provides hands-on experience and enrichment activities, exposing students to renowned cultural institutions such as the Whitney Museum, The Met, and Public Theater.
Casita Maria invites the community to visit “You CAN Sit Here,” on view through August 2025, and to support its mission. The organization has been here for over 90 years, and with the support of our community, they hope to continue to serve as an anchor for generations to come.
Catholic Charities New York is proud to have Casita Maria as part of our network of agencies, working in alignment with our shared mission to uphold the dignity of all people and provide pathways to opportunity through education, community support, and the arts. At Catholic Charities New York, we believe that nurturing the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—is essential to building a just and compassionate society. Casita Maria’s vibrant gallery exhibitions, like You CAN Sit Here, are a powerful example of how art can heal, connect, and inspire. Through culturally rooted programming and a deep commitment to youth development, Casita Maria creates a space where young people feel seen, heard, and empowered. We are proud to stand alongside them as they continue to uplift the Hunts Point community—and we invite all New Yorkers to experience this moving installation and the transformative impact of the arts firsthand.
