Artists open their doors to the public at Gowanus Open Studios, Oct. 18-19 * Brooklyn Paper

"The artists of Gowanus will open their doors to the public this weekend, inviting Brooklynites to explore their studios, their work, and their community at Gowanus Open Studios. Rapidly-changing Gowanus has long been an artists haven, but most paint, sketch and sculpt behind closed doors, tucked away in converted industrial buildings and studio collectives. Open Studios is an annual celebration of local creatives, and a chance for residents to get to know them - and even purchase some work to take home."

"Flooding ruined studios and artwork in 2021 and again in 2023, and locals have been bracing themselves for the impact of the 2021 rezoning, which many feared would price creatives out of the neighborhood altogether. "Gowanus is shifting, and all of our advocacy and everything we do is sort of centered around visibility for the artists, and keeping artists in the neighborhood," said Johnny Thornton, executive director of Arts Gowanus."

"To that end, Thornton is particularly excited to show off the nabe's first subsidized affordable artist studios at The Shop and Society Brooklyn. Arts Gowanus helped to secure about 120 affordable studios as part of the 2021 Gowanus rezoning, an effort to make sure artists wouldn't be priced out of the neighborhood. The first 22 opened this year, and about 18 will be open for Open Studios."

Gowanus artists will open studios to the public for Gowanus Open Studios, inviting neighbors to explore studios, view and purchase work, and meet creatives. Many artists work in converted industrial spaces and studio collectives. The event functions as an annual celebration and a visibility effort amid neighborhood change. Flooding damaged studios and artwork in 2021 and 2023, and the 2021 rezoning raised concerns about affordability for artists. Arts Gowanus secured about 120 subsidized artist studios as part of the rezoning. Twenty-two studios opened this year, with about 18 participating in Open Studios and new artists moving in.

Read at Brooklyn Paper