GOWANUS — Following the five-alarm fire that ripped through the Beard and Robinson Warehouse Stores at 481 Van Brunt St. last year, which was the home of the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition for 35 years, the organization returns with a new exhibition.
Starting May 22, the first in-person exhibition since the blaze, “Unmoored/Unbound,” will be free to view at Powerhouse Arts, 322 Third Ave.
The artwork that will be featured in the exhibition “Unmoored/Unbound.” Photo: BWAC
BWAC is an artist-run nonprofit that provides opportunities for artists to show their work, develop professionally and engage the public in the experience of art. It is celebrating its 48-year history. PHA is also a not-for-profit creative production center in Gowanus that opened to the public in 2022.
According to BWAC, the center brings together artists, fabricators, educators and neighbors and connects them to the tools, spaces and support they need to express themselves and support their practices.
Following the massive loss of a space, BWAC is happy to make its return. “The loss of our space in Red Hook has been completely overwhelming, but the outpouring of support from the community, especially the artists who have shown with us, has been what has kept us going,” said Alicia Degener, BWAC president and exhibition co-curator. “Now we’re getting our heads around starting over and what new opportunities.”
“BWAC is still getting back on its feet, and with the help of our neighbor and friend in Powerhouse Arts, this exhibition is a testament to the freedom and opportunity in starting over,” added Ryan Frank, co-curator and BWAC co-vice president.
The exhibition aims to speak to the perseverance and resiliency of artists in the face of adversity. It features 40 artists working across a wide range of mediums who explore themes of loss, transition, liberation, freedom and deliverance in their work.
A GoFundMe was set up to help BWAC find a new home. As of May 5, it raised $50,000.