“Dam Stuhltrager: This is not a press release. It is a story” Exhibition
One Art Space
[Image: Photo: Dam Stuhltrager by David Makman, 2007.]
This event has ended.
(NYC) It was 1998. DAM STUHLTRAGER rented a storefront facing the BQE in a desolate part of Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
The first DAM STUHLTRAGER press release had an autocorrect typo and indicated the gallery would function as an “incubus” rather than an “incubator.” In different ways, both words were appropriate.
Bodegas were scarce and did not make sandwiches. A few blocks in one direction was a lone pizza shop and dirty diner. A tiny Thai food shop on Bedford showed art curated by one of the neighborhood’s creative forefathers. There was Kokies and lots of parties no one crossed the bridge from Manhattan to get to. There were as many people living under the highway as there were converting commercial warehouses into residential lofts. Williamsburg was a blank canvas able to be anything any of us imagined it to be. No one was looking. Mistakes were abundantly made and laughed off by those then wiser by the experience. A neighborhood grew together into what they dreamed of becoming.
In a 2004 article that helped brand the neighborhood, Stuhltrager described to a young New York Times reporter how Williamsburg was rough and tumble, a place where you could find a diamond in the dirt. Stuhltrager was quoted at the close of the article: “Do I ever think we’ll not be an art Mecca? No. Do I think there is going to be a Starbucks here someday? Yes. Will I ever go there? Probably.” The reporter had her brother with her. He drew a portrait while his sister interviewed — this was before he became the editor of the Brooklyn Rail. Dam Stuhltrager had its first solo show of William Powhida exhibited and Stuhltrager had just bought the first piece of his work ever sold.
The coffee shops and cupcakeries had yet to arrive, but between the Lorimer and Bedford L stops project spaces sprouted every few steps. The local band of gallerists and artists knew another and saw neighbors’ struggles as their own. They truck-pooled to fairs and bought tickets to each other’s fundraisers. It was a community that helped shape all who were sharing that unique moment in that very special place.
History tells wilder tales than any of us could make up about those who changed things that came after them. This is not an exhibit of the good ‘ole days nor the tale of Williamsburg. This is the story about artists who built a gallery. It’s a celebration of how far talent has branched from roots on the corner of Marcy and Hope.
“Williamsburg on Warren”
an exhibit & happening curated by Dam Stuhltrager, founder of THE WYE
featuring artwork by Mark Andreas, Ken Butler, Cris Dam, Mark Esper, Anna Frants, Ruth Marshall, Loren J. Munk, Disney Nasa Borg, Randy Polumbo, William Powhida, Carol Salmanson, Jeff Schneider, Kathleen Vance & Ryan Wolfe
Media
Schedule
from June 12, 2015 to July 07, 2015
Opening Reception on 2015-06-12 from 18:00 to 22:00