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
Buttermilk, ICCWS website about creative office space.
See http://industrycityartproject.org for studios.
How did the topic of Park Slope come up? This brief article was about SUNSET PARK, not Park Slope. Two very different places. Lifestyles in Sunset Park vs. the Slope are really on opposite ends of the spectrum (for a reason- i.e. lack of gentrified bars, restaurants, etc.).
I agree w/ Khuebbe and Chrishavens, there is GREAT transportation in the area (36th street Stop w/ express trains to Manhattan). In fact, I can get into Manhattan faster than my Slopian counterparts from 36th street because of the express trains.
I admit I am partial to Sunset Park. I am frankly surprised more people haven’t picked up on the Sunset Park Industrial area as a go to artist’s space. To me, the landscape being right on the water is a little more artistically inspiring than say– Bushwick. Also, the actual park (hence, Sunset Park) has great views of the skyline of Manhattan, Statue of Liberty, and beyond.
But, I’m not complaining. My rent will stay low :)!
where are the ”422 a month, light-filled studios” on the ICCWS website?
http://www.iccws.com The building owners are committed to all types of workspaces: heavy industrial; light manufacturing, craft, artisan, artist, creative office. Residential, live/work, condo all strictly prohibited.
Subway: 36th Street ( 1 1/2 to 5 blocks to the main buildings, NOT 20 min. walk) 2nd stop on
N & D is Manhattan, first connects you to Atlantic/Pacific, 10 lines plus LIRR, biggest concentration in all of NYC. R, M local….
There are hundreds of creative folks in Sunset area already. More to come….
Space available, see iccws.com
There isn’t really a lack of public transportation – the 36th st N, D, R, M is a block and a half away (although I admit the BQE doesn’t entice people across to the waterfront) – and yes, these buildings are going to stay manufacturing/commercial for a long time.
So right, Montrose.
I’m hearing a lot about Obama making this the Presidency of the Arts (among many other things, of course) and as a musician and someone who works in many facets of the arts community, I think it’s terrific news.
As you may know…Japan during its “lost decade” of the 90’s did in fact see its arts and culture thrive quite profoundly.
I hope we see the same thing happen here.
The arts have a way of bringing people together in difficult times to uplift the soul.
Artists like Nada Surf are great and they are indicative of the types of people in the area now. Friends of mine went to the Lycee Francais de New York with them. Not criticizing, but the types of kids who went to the Lycee in Manhattan growing up are generally rich kids. Artists or not, this is the new Williamsburg. Seems the slumming tranaplants are now mostly out in E. Williamsburg and Bushwick.
I love these buildings, and the whole complex really is a very photogenic array of light, shadow and mass.
Thank goodness for the lovely and quiet BQE, lack of public transportation, and remote location, or this would have already been condo-ized into expensive lofts. I hope most of these buildings remain manufacturing, and now, arts spaces.
Let’s not fight over where the arts and music is, I’m glad creativity has not left NYC, and arts and music venues are springing up all over, in spite of financial woes. People, especially in hard times, need to create, or we become soulless drones.
You might find Park Slope “soul sucking” wine lover, but I do not. I agree with Santa. I find Bedford Avenue and the people I’ve met in Williamsburg to be infinitely more soul-sucking, in fact. We can each have our own opinions about our neighborhood, but I can assure you that your statements about Williamsburg are based more on your own perception than they do about facts. Especially when it comes to the Music Scene, which is diminishing literally by the day as people look to Bushwick, Sunset Park and Gowanus.
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March 5, 2008
Park Slope ranks the No. 1 most creative neighborhood in the borough with 3,500 independently employed designers and independent artists in residence. Williamsburg comes in No. 2 with a little less than 3,000 “self-employed creatives,†followed by Brooklyn Heights (around 2,600), and BoCoCa (around 1,700). Red Hook and Prospect Heights tied for fifth place with 1,600 each.