Kevin Richardson's DANCE AS ART to Grace Astolat Dollhouse Castle This Week

On Thursday, December 3rd from 7 - 9pm, the Astolat Dollhouse Castle, located at the Shops at Columbus Circle on the 2nd floor, will host a special evening featuring master photographer Kevin Richardson, founder of Dance as Art (www.danceasart.com).

Richardson will be joined by several accomplished dancers from the New York Metropolitan area as well as young aspiring ballerinas. The evening will include an exhibition of Richardson's breathtaking photographs taken at iconic locations around New York City as well as an unveiling of several shot in front of the Astolat Castle in the past week.

The majority of his Dance as Art photographs are taken at the iconic monuments, buildings and streets of New York. "My mission is to bring dance to the streets where kids who might not ordinarily have a chance to see accomplished dancers can be inspired and have exposure to the art of dance," stated Richardson. He adds, "Part street show, part fine art, Dance as Art - The New York Photography Project, is a public celebration of the talented dancers of New York City through the eyes of dance photographer Kevin Richardson. It is a call to remember and support the arts and artists of New York City."

In addition to outside venues, he has also photographed in public spaces including Grand Central Station and subway cars. When Richardson heard about the Astolat Dollhouse Castle he felt it would be the perfect backdrop for his photography and young ballerinas.

His dance photographs, known for their dramatic lighting as well as their unusual backgrounds, have only been available on line to date. For the first time, Richardson will print a collection of his photographs and the limited signed and numbered collection will be on display on December 3rd for purchase with net proceeds from the sale donated to the Astolat Dollhouse Castle Children's Charities Fund (501c3 pending).

Admission to the special event where guests can meet Richardson and several of the dancers he has photographed, is free and open to all, however a suggested donation of $25 will be accepted for donation to children's charities through the Astolat Dollhouse Castle fund.

Richardson is a globally recognized fitness trainer by day and a dance photographer by night. His unique style of photographs have become wildly popular on Instagram and Facebook, with over 45,000 followers and likes, and highlight dancers throughout the Northeast. Richardson stages the awe-inspiring photographs and then provides them pro bono to the dancers for use in their portfolios.

Hailing from the islands of Trinidad and Tobago, Richardson is a globally published photographer based in New York City who refers to himself as an 'accidental photographer.' What started as an avocation to his full time job as one of New York City's most sought after personal trainers, has taken him around the world. His landscape and signature outdoor photography of New York City have been published internationally and he has done portrait and event photography for celebrities in New York City and corporations in Asia.

The world-famous Astolat Dollhouse Castle, built and furnished by master artisans, features 29 rooms filled with 10,000 miniature pieces, including elaborate furniture, oil paintings, mirrors, fireplaces, gold miniature jewelry, rare-mini books more than 100 years old, fine rugs, fabrics, and pieces made of and silver and gold. It has seven levels, stairways, hallways, a basement, a wine cellar, a kitchen, an armory, a library, a music room, a grand ballroom and a Wizard's tower on the top level. It was recently valued at $8.5 million dollars thanks to the nearly 30,000 pieces that make up the collection. The Astolat Dollhouse Castle is on tour to benefit children's charities.

The Astolat Dollhouse Castle will be on display daily on the second floor Mezzanine of the Shops at Columbus Circle through December 8 during retail store hours. Voluntary donations to benefit children's charities are greatly appreciated and can be made online at www.dollhousecastle.com.

Photo Credit: Kevin Richardson