{"id":72202,"date":"2025-12-16T14:20:09","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T14:20:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/72202\/"},"modified":"2025-12-16T14:20:09","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T14:20:09","slug":"brooklyn-waterfront-artists-coalition-hunts-for-a-new-space-after-warehouse-fire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/72202\/","title":{"rendered":"Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition Hunts for a New Space After Warehouse Fire"},"content":{"rendered":"

The damage to their warehouse home was worse than anticipated and their lease was terminated in November.<\/p>\n

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BWAC\u2019s was housed at 481 Van Brunt Street until a five-alarm fire struck in September. Photo by Susan De Vries<\/p>\n

by Kirstyn Brendlen, Brooklyn Paper<\/p>\n

For a while after a fire devastated<\/a> a historic Red Hook warehouse, the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition \u2014 one of the building\u2019s oldest tenants \u2014 hoped they would someday return to their space. They, along with dozens of artists and small businesses, thought their displacement would be temporary.<\/p>\n

But in November, they got bad news. The damage was worse than had been anticipated, and the building will likely be uninhabitable for years. BWAC\u2019s lease was terminated, as were many others.<\/p>\n

The building\u2019s owner, The O\u2019Connell Organization \u2014 now headed by Gregory O\u2019Connell Jr. after the death of his father \u2014 had charged most tenants below market-rate rent in order to keep artists in Red Hook, said BWAC<\/a> President Alicia Degener.<\/p>\n

\"firefightersThe five-alarm fire displaced artists and small businesses. Photo by Lloyd Mitchell<\/p>\n

But keeping costs low meant forgoing fire insurance, leaving O\u2019Connell solely responsible for the costs of rebuilding. When the warehouse is ready again, they warned that the rents will be much higher. BWAC won\u2019t be able to afford its old space.<\/p>\n

\u201cI get it, but we\u2019re homeless,\u201d Degener said.<\/p>\n

BWAC inhabited a two-story studio at 481 Van Brunt Street for 35 years. The volunteer-run nonprofit was founded by a group of artists in need of a place to exhibit their work in 1978, and still works to support local artists and keep art accessible for Brooklynites with seasonal exhibits, workshops and other events.<\/p>\n

Now, Degener and BWAC are starting the search for a new home, and new funding. On December 14, the organization hosted a \u201cHoliday Bash\u201d live fundraising auction to support its impending move.<\/p>\n

\"waterBWAC was severely damaged by the fire and by firefighting efforts. Photo via Alicia Degener<\/p>\n

The event, held at The Cidery at the Red Hook Distillery, offered live music, food, and a live auction of works from more than 30 artists, including pieces created by BWAC members and donated by supporters. Some of the donated pieces came from the collection of former BWAC president John Strobeen. Bidding began at just $65, and a second online auction will start on the BWAC website on December 16.<\/p>\n

Local businesses and organizations also chipped in, donating raffle prizes like a high-level membership to the Brooklyn Museum, a $300 gift card for a meal at Brooklyn Crab, candles, coffee and more.<\/p>\n

After the fundraiser, Degener and the BWAC team will spend the winter writing a new business plan and searching for a permanent home, she said. Before, BWAC \u2014 operating as a nonprofit with inexpensive rent \u2014 was more focused on just breaking even.<\/p>\n

The studio was only open on weekends, and relied largely on foot traffic and donations.<\/p>\n

\"galleryBWAC\u2019s galleries before the fire. Photo via the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition<\/p>\n

\u201cNow we\u2019re going to have to rethink ourselves entirely, because any of the spaces we could possibly get is not necessarily going to have foot traffic, and we\u2019re going to need to be open like a regular business, like five days a week,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n

They already have several promising leads in Sunset Park, she said.<\/p>\n

Until then, Degener hopes to host some pop-ups in Red Hook and in nabes like Coney Island and Bay Ridge, and wants to partner more closely with organizations like the Brooklyn Museum and Pioneer Works for events and exhibits.<\/p>\n

BWAC is expecting some large-dollar donations from Red Hook businesses and will likely apply for a low-interest disaster loan<\/a> offered by the federal Small Business Administration. After the December 14 fundraiser, Degener hopes not to need more fundraisers to stay afloat.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not going to constantly be asking people to give me things,\u201d she said. \u201cI think this is a one-and-done, probably. Then let\u2019s move on, and find a new place, and \u2026 do what we do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Degener has remained optimistic in the aftermath of the fire, focused on keeping BWAC afloat. The community has been incredibly supportive, she said. Weeks after the fire, locals scrambled to ensure Red Hook Open Studios<\/a> could go forward, and more people have applied to be on the BWAC\u2019s this year Board of Director<\/a>s than ever before.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll always, always miss BWAC there,\u201d Degener said. \u201cThere will always be BWAC, but that space was really special \u2026 we are about to go into our 48th year. We would like to make it to 50. We need to get it to 50.\u201d<\/p>\n

Editor\u2019s note: A version of this story originally ran in Brooklyn Paper. Click here<\/a> to see the original story.<\/p>\n

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