Will Sunset Park Be the Next Artist Community?
The artists are coming, the artists are coming! That’s the headline on the Sunset Park waterfront these days, as the massive 16-building complex known as Industry City slowly remakes itself in the image of the Brooklyn Navy Yard and, once upon a time, Williamsburg or Dumbo (though there are no plans for a residential component)….
The artists are coming, the artists are coming! That’s the headline on the Sunset Park waterfront these days, as the massive 16-building complex known as Industry City slowly remakes itself in the image of the Brooklyn Navy Yard and, once upon a time, Williamsburg or Dumbo (though there are no plans for a residential component). So far, according to New York Magazine, less than sixty loft spaces have been set aside for artists to use as studios, but already a “scene” is beginning to coalesce, with film makers, painters and the like throwing weekly “experimental” parties. It’s really affirming about why we’re in New York and what it means to be an artist in New York, says Travis Boyer, who shares one of the $422-a-month, light-filled studios. For more information on renting studio space at Industry City check out Industry City Art Project and for creative workspace see ICCWS.com.
In Brooklyn, an Industrial Artists’ Colony [NY Magazine]
Photo by Thomas Rupolo
I see from up above that the Chinese triads now have a toehold here.
I know a few artists who rent studios in Sunset Park and love it.
One or two live in Williamsburg and go down there where the studio space is cheaper. All of them have said they’d like to move to be closer to their studio space and get out of the high-priced burg.
They do not describe the arts/music scene in the burg anything like you do wine lover. And as someone who work in the music industry and holds 3 degrees in music, I can tell you for a fact that the music “scene” in williamsburg is about 70% hype and 30% reality.
And no…it has nothing to do with my dislike for the neighborhood.
prodigal, what are you talking about? yes, there are still tons of artists of all kinds in williamsburg and bushwick. williamsburg/greenpoint has more music rehearsal spaces (70+?) than probably any other neighborhood in the world. Have you been to the guitar shop on wythe? it’s gigantic! soo many wonderful bands are coming out of williamsburg – ambulance, nada surf, chairlift (one of my fav albums for 2008). check out brooklyn vegan for the lo down.
And, art only thrives in “struggle and poverty”?
That statement is so ridiculous that you cannot possible mean it. it means that there are no talented people born in to comfortable or wealthy families??
anyway, there are successful artists! artists that sell their pieces and their music, and so can by new clothes. are you suggesting if you produce work that is desirable and people buy it, that you cannot then produce anything else?
there are also tons and tons of commercial artists living in the area.
meanwhile, this sunset park studio space is cool and good for artists.
Bushwick is full of artists and artist studios everywhere.
It could happen. As a trade reporter, I interviewed several light manufacturers (of lighting products, mainly) based there in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The spaces were perfect for artists. It’s still a largely underutilzed resource.
I like the old railway down at the dock end and the row of water towers.
What did these places store back in the day?
I love these buildings and find the alleys between them very dramatic photo scapes. I would love to have a studio here.
“so is the art scene in bushwick completely over?”
Its all relative to your perspective.
Many in the real estate community still tout the “art scene” in Williamsburg.
Many in the “art scene” would claim the art scene in all of NYC is completely over.
To me, art thrives in struggle and poverty.
As long as “artists” wear $30 tee shirts, I don’t see much struggle.
oh cheeze itz why does there always have to be the next “it” neighborhood? i guess having those spaces is a good thing though for the neighborhood, but im always chary about these kinds of articles. so is the art scene in bushwick completely over?
*rob*