September 17th marks the one-year anniversary of the devastating fire on the Red Hook waterfront that left the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition (BWAC) without a permanent space. In the months that followed, BWAC attempted to continue its mission to provide opportunities for artists to exhibit their work and connect with the public. In spring, BWAC partnered with Powerhouse Arts in Gowanus to produce an international juried exhibition, followed in summer by securing a donated space in Sunset Park for two exhibitions — one that was a national juried exhibition, the other a BWAC member show.
Now, to mark the one-year fire anniversary, BWAC is presenting two exhibitions: Exclaim!, a national juried exhibition, and One Year Later: New Work, New Perspectives, a BWAC artist member exhibition, to be held at the Whale Building in Sunset Park, Brooklyn from September 17 to October 18, 2026. “The Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition was formed with the idea that working together with community, artists are stronger and everyone is better for the it. Art isn’t only for the established or entitled. Art is for everyone. One year after the fire, we defiantly still believe that BWAC is something that needs to be supported and preserved,” remarked Alicia degener, BWAC President.
Exclaim! presents artwork that makes a statement, evokes emotions or is a call for action. Whether bold or subtle, personal or political, literal or figurative, the works in this exhibition express compelling, individual perspectives that are meaningful to the artist and speak to the present moment.
One Year Later: New Work, New Perspectives takes a similar approach to providing a platform for BWAC member artists to express what they are exploring in the year since the Red Hook fire halted their until-then uninterrupted flow of exhibition possibilities. For thirty-plus years, BWAC members exhibited in the warehouse space on Van Brunt Street. That abrupt stop affected artists in many ways. This exhibition attempts to answer the questions about how they have reacted. Have they moved their art in a new direction? Gained a new perspective? Are they reflective? Solemn? Playful? Retrospective? Experimental? Determined? Viewers will find the exploration of these themes, in a variety of media, compelling and rewarding.
These two Fall art exhibitions will be held from September 17 to October 18, 2026, on the third floor of the Whale Building at 14 53rd Street in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. There is an opening reception to meet the artists on Thursday, September 17 from 5 – 8 pm — exactly one year after the Red Hook fire. The shows are on display for viewing on weekends from 1 to 6 pm. For additional viewing dates and times, or for accommodating groups of a dozen or more people, please email info@bwac.org. The conclusion of these exhibitions coincides with the Sunset Park Open Studios on the weekend of October 16-18. BWAC and the artist studios at the Whale will be taking part in this event. Go to bwac.org for the latest details on BWAC’s involvement, or the Sunset Park Open Studios website at sunsetparkopenstudios.org.
About BWAC
The Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition (BWAC) is an artist-run organization and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. For 48 years, BWAC has been exhibiting the artwork of local and national artists with exhibits that include national juried and local member shows. These exhibitions present a wide variety of contemporary visual arts from the traditional to the experimental cutting edge. Currently exhibiting in temporary locations, the organization is searching for an affordable, more permanent gallery space to continue its mission. Toward that end, all donations are needed and gladly accepted. Visit bwac.org to donate, or for more information on membership and exhibits, and follow the organization on Facebook or Instagram.
