Arts Gowanus and the Old Stone House & Washington Park (OSH) are proud to present Brooklyn Utopias: Along the Canal, a multi-site exhibition opening April 9 & 10 that will feature over 200 artists to considering what a “Utopia” (or ideal place) would look like for the communities of the neighborhoods bordering the Gowanus Canal. These include Gowanus, Carroll Gardens/Cobble Hill, and Red Hook.

Brooklyn Utopias: Along the Canal consists of an indoor exhibition at the Old Stone House (OSH) and two public outdoor art exhibitions of artwork printed on banners hung on the fences surrounding J.J. Byrne Playground and Coffey Park featuring a diverse group of local artists. 

This project is part of the ongoing Brooklyn Utopias exhibition series, developed by OSH Contemporary Curator Katherine Gressel, that highlights the importance of artists and communities in helping shape the future of a changing Brooklyn. Some artists in Brooklyn Utopias: Along the Canal celebrate iconic or beloved aspects of the neighborhoods’ past or present that already feel “utopian” and the importance of their preservation. Others comment on existing plans for the area during a time of rapid redevelopment and rezoning. With climate crises, gentrification, financial instability and an ongoing pandemic hitting these communities especially hard, many artists present their own visions for a greener, healthier and more equitable Gowanus. Others explore a broader idea of urban utopia, with both local and global implications.

For more details, including public programs associated with the exhibition, please visit our Exhibitions page.

Coffey Park opening on April 9, 12 pm – 5 pm with art bazaar and performances.

J.J. Byrne Playground opening on April 10, 12 pm – 5 pm with art bazaar and performances.

Old Stone House Gallery opening on April 10, 4 pm – 6 pm.

All exhibitions will be on view from April 10 – June 26.

Gallery Hours: Friday – Sunday, 12 pm – 3 pm or by appointment. 

Coffey Park Participating Artists:

Abigail Romero Montetro, Alanna Flowers, Amanda Aponte, Andrew Huff, Annakiya DeCoteau, Annemarie Waugh, Areta Buk, Argun Ulgen, Aspen (bri) Villar, Aynsley Leonardis, Beau Madden, Bernard Hallstein, Brie Spielmann, Brooke Julien, Carlos Moreno, Carmella Gullo, Carolyn Monastra, Chao Wang, Daniel Genova, Dytanya Mixson, Elisa Soliven, Elizabeth Meggs, Epy Carrieri, Faye Harnest, Felipe Torres, Fernando Sanon, Gabrielle Lansner, Hong Wu, Imari DuSauzay, Jenna Spevack, Jeremy Dennis, Jethro Gedeon, Jeylani Thomas, Johnny Camacho, Joseph  Anastasi, Karen Margolis, Kasia Zurek-Doule, Katie Saltoun, Katie Godowski, Kendry Corbin, Kiki Valentine, Laura Corrin, Laziza Rakhimova, Li Ordanov Dan, Liev Arpante, Lisett Clark-Dziedzic, Lorna Leighton, Maria Lewis, Marie Hueston, Massah Fofana,Mayana Torres, Michael Flaherty, Michelle Mannix, Mollie Serena, Monica Gutiérrez Kirwan, Nicholas Papadakis, Nicole Vergalla, Patricia O’Rourke, Rachel Schapira, Richard Vivenzio, Sanny Ng, Sasha Lynn Roberts, Scarlett Esquivel, Stacey Billups, SumiSnack Symin Adive,Taeesha Muhammad, Terumasa Fujita, TiffanyStevens, Tizian Mazziotto, Tyesha Colthrust, Unice Gomez, Valerie Hill, Vanesa Alvarez, Whitney Lukens, Yue Yi Jiang

J.J. Byrne Playground Participating Artists: 

Aleathea Sapp-Jimenez, Allison Kaufman, Alicia Mccarthy, Amy Morken, Andrew Smenos, Anne Bartoc, Annette Rose-Shapiro, Anne-Sophie Plume, Aubrey Nolan, Audrey Anastasi, Axelle Destaing, Caitlin Miller, Catalina Lucero, Chasity Fryer, Christopher Swain, Daniel Anthony Vasque, Daniel McDonald, David Barthold, David Kutz, Dennis Darkeem, Doug Gately, Dov Diamond, Emily Chiavelli, Ilse Knecht, Jan Rattia, Janet Pedersen, JD Weiner, Jenna D, Jessica Dalrymple, Jessica DAmico, Jill Inbar, Jo-Ann Acey, Joann Amitrano, Joanna Oltman Smith, JoAnne McFarland, Joe Cantor, John Azelvandre, John Wilkens, Johnny Thornton, Jonathan Blum, Josh Seiden, Joyce Riley, Julia Forrest, Julie Peppito, K Haskell, Karen Cuchel, Katherine Gressel, Kathleen Collins, Kathleen Dobrowsky, Ken Rush, Kevin Rogan, Kristin Ducharme, Lawrence O’Neill, Leslie Kerby, Linda Adato, Linda Berkowitz, Lindsey Jones, Logan Kisiel, Lynn Cole, Manju Shandler, Maria Paula Rennis, Mari Renwick, Mark Thomas, Mark Phillips, Marybeth Zeman, Mary Negro, Michael Amendolara, Michael Koehler, Michael Freedman, Michael Jacobson, Miguel Ayuso, Miska Draskoczy, Monica Rich, Owen Foote, Peikwen Cheng, Peter Darnell, Phil DeSantis, Philippe Regard, Preetha Stephen, Radha Korman, Raya Dukhan, Rebecca Carmel, Rich Garr, Rick Secen, Risa Glickman, Robert Gould, Robert (Bob) Levine, Robin Michals, Robin Roi, Roxanna Velandria, Ryan Gallagher, Sandrine Gigon, Sarah Lucas, Sarah Drury, Sasha Chavchavadze, Seth Hillinger, Sherry Davis, Sofya Yuditskaya, Stacy Bergener, Steve Pauley, Susan Newmark, Susan Greenstein, Susan Yung, Tiane Goines, Traci Johnson, William Bartoc, William Patterson, Yukiko Izumi

OSH Gallery Participating Artists and Arts Groups:

Lisa Aurigemma, Sasha Chavchavadze, Dov Diamond, Chasity Fryer and Mary Glover, Nathan Kensinger, Leslie Kerby, Radha Korman, Clarinda Mac Low and Carolyn Hall, Karen Mainenti, Christina Massey, Robin Michals, Caitlin Miller, Carolyn Monastra, Lynn Newman/Artichoke Dance, Iviva Olenick, Red Hook Art Project, Amy Ritter, Manju Shandler, Daniel Anthony Vasquez, Liam Wiesenberger and Ella Yang

Participating Organizations and Individuals, “Making a Better Brooklyn” Banners: 

Cora Dance, 350Brooklyn, HashtagLunchbag, Gowanus Canal Conservancy, Tiffiney Davis, Camp Friendship, Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation, Portside, Center for Urban Pedagogy, Why Not Art?, Forth on Fourth Avenue, The Powerhouse Arts Youth Advisory Council, Park Slope Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District, Groundswell, Textile Arts Center, Turning The Tide, Gowanus Neighborhood Coalition for Justice, Theresa Davis, The Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club, CHiPs, Park Slope Parents, Gowanus Mutual Aid, Exploring the Arts, Theater of the Liberated, Arts Gowanus Artist Advisory Committee, David Kutz, the Old Stone House

Brooklyn Utopias: Along the Canal is a partnership between Arts Gowanus, the Old Stone House & Washington Park, Coffey Park in Red Hook and The Red Hook Art Project. Funding for the Old Stone House exhibition is made possible, in part, by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the Puffin Foundation. The banner exhibitions are part of the Arts Gowanus Gallery Dispersed program, funded in part by the Brooklyn Arts Council. Cover image: Leslie Kerby