Bushwick - No Longer 'No Mans Land'
(Above is a map showing the location of each art studio in Bushwick that will be participating in this coming Open Studio event)
We moved to Bushwick - Brooklyn in 2005. Back then, the streets were empty, bar a few factory workers and some gutsy artists that lived amongst the derelict factories.
[caption id="attachment_8314" align="alignleft" width="315"] Our Doorway[/caption]
Our studio and home was in a massive abandoned warehouse converted to 'barely there' apartments that froze in the winter and steamed in summer. Our hallways were full of clever tags and vandalism and you certainly had eyes in the back of your head when you went out alone at night. It was an awesome place!
Our first meeting for Bushwick Open Studios consisted of 5 people sitting around in a room figuring out how on earth we would attract people to our studios for the open events we had planned. We'd put on shows in our cavernous spaces and our patrons would come via cab directly to the doorstep (getting totally lost in the process since cab drivers from the island NEVER went to Bushwick), hang out in the danger zone and then return by cab to Manhattan. They were exciting times!
The same area has grown to become a thriving arts hub. It's cleaned up (a little) and now people certainly know where Bushwick is on a map.
The open studios have carried on and grown exponentially. This year the amount of artists and patrons participating is truly mind blowing. If you have the chance, pop on the L train and go check it out! It's one of the modern art world centers and an inspiring look into the creative minds of tomorrows legends.
[caption id="attachment_8312" align="alignleft" width="746"] Young film makers in Bushwick circa 2006[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_8317" align="alignleft" width="525"] The street at night circa 2005[/caption]