The drag queen persona by Brian Butterick is on display at the Howl! Arts building.
A person ’s whole life ca n’t be swiftly summed up in a few words . This rings especially lawful when it comes to the 63 intricate and fascinating years of Brian Butterick . Well known for his drag persona , Hattie Hathaway , Butterick was a beloved frame and groundbreaker within New York City ’s creative community — specifically in the East Village .
“ Brian was a born impresario and one of the most generous people I have ever take on , ” says Jane Friedman , a close friend and the film director ofHowl ! artistic production , a non - profit that works to preserve the unique culture of the East Village and Lower East Side through exhibition and event . “ His smarts and nose for endowment make spaces and chance for artists of all kinds to blossom . ”
First receive his showtime in the local view in the ’ 80s as a booking agent and handler of thePyramid Cocktail Lounge — an influential music venue that was a hub for the East Village ’s puff , gay , punk , and art cosmos — it was here that Butterick created Hattie Hathaway .
“Brian Butterick {Hattie Hathaway} and all they loved” exhibit at Howl! Arts|Photo courtesy of Howl! Arts
Taking inspiration from his grandmother , Hattie , and the character , Miss Jane Hathaway from the sitcom , The Beverly Hillbillies , his drag life history finally led to him being one of the found extremity behind the3 Teens Kill Fourband ; joining theBlacklips Performance Cult ; and performing at venues like Studio 54 , Club Cumming , and the annual Howl ! Festival . Since his release in 2019 , Butterick is fondly remembered for his humbleness , horse sense of temper , and dedication to uplifting emerge natural endowment within the industry .
To celebrate Butterick ’s magnetic spirit and contribution to the Howl ! Arts system , theHowl ! Arts / Howl ! Archivehas create a dear , posthumous exhibition style “ Brian Butterick { Hattie Hathaway } and all they love . ”
On display through July 30 , the initiation will have Butterick ’s personal ephemeron from Howl ! ’s appeal including letters , photo , graphics , telecasting reels , publication trim , curated soundtrack , and more . In the back one-half of the showing sits a refreshment of Butterick ’s Lower East Side apartment — where he lived for about two decades — that include file cabinet filled with writing , consultation , scripts , and more that visitors can rifle through .
Photograph of Hattie Hathaway at the “Brian Butterick {Hattie Hathaway} and all they loved” exhibit|Photo courtesy of Howl! Arts
“ This is a show about Brian / Hattieand what he sleep together , so I desire that the exposition as a whole will give visitant an in - depth look at his sensation and the spirit of creativeness and residential district in East Village in its heyday , ” says Friedman . “ He was there from the beginning and I miss him every day .
“ Brian Butterick { Hattie Hathaway } and all they hump ” is on display at 250 Bowery on the second story of Howl ! art through July 30 . admittance is free .
Handwritten letter by Brian Butterick at the “Brian Butterick {Hattie Hathaway} and all they loved” exhibit|Photo courtesy of Howl! Arts
