Brooklyn College is set to unveil The Art Gallery, a new exhibition space, on Thursday, Nov. 7.
The gallery, located on the lower level of Boylan Hall, is designed to serve as a vibrant hub for artists, students, faculty and the community, according to a press release.
The inaugural exhibition, “Urban Contours,” showcases the works of over 40 faculty members from the college’s art department, including renowned artists such as Derrick Adams, Janet Carlile, Patricia Cronin, Ronaldo Kiel, Jenn McCoy, Eto Otitigbe, Archie Rand and Doug Schwab. The exhibition, which runs through Dec. 20, explores how these Brooklyn-rooted artists engage with space, place and objects in their dynamic work.
“I could not be prouder to see this important campus and community resource come to life,” said Brooklyn College President Michelle J. Anderson. “This beautiful new space will allow Brooklyn College to showcase the work of its preeminent artists, teach students in new and vibrant ways, and help us connect better with the artistic community.”
Notable pieces in the inaugural exhibition include Derrick Adams’ “Where My Girls At” and Ezra Wube’s “Flatbushtopia.”
The 7,000-square-foot gallery, funded and renovated under the direction of the art department, aims to foster collaboration across various academic disciplines while creating educational opportunities for the campus community. A soft opening for students was held on May 7, featuring artwork from the B.F.A. Capstone Thesis course.
“This is a big deal—a new gallery in New York City,” said Professor Mona Hadler, chair of the art department and member of the advisory committee overseeing the gallery’s exhibitions. “Brooklyn has its own unique dynamism. It’s a huge center for the arts now.”
Hadler said advisory committee members including Maria Ann Conelli and Malka Simon ’00, is collaborating with gallery curator Bentley Brown, a Ph.D. fellow at NYU’s Institute of Fine Arts, to host future exhibitions that balance contributions from campus, local and diasporic artists.
“There will be the M.F.A. show in the spring, and we’d like to do something with alumni,” Hadler added. “Bentley is looking to do something cutting-edge, and why not? Some of the best ideas come out of college galleries.”
Simon, a lecturer in art history at Brooklyn College and managing director of the gallery, said he wants the space to serve multiple purposes beyond traditional exhibitions, including public events and an art history lecture series.
“The borough doesn’t end at Prospect Park,” Simon said. “We’re doing amazing things here in Flatbush. Hop on the train and come see us.”
The gallery will be open to the public on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10:00am to 5:30pm, and Thursdays and Fridays from 10:00am to 3:00pm.
