By Katarina Hybenova
The Active Space (previously known as Curbs and Stoops) has some sweet news! After months of reconstruction, they have finally finished their gallery space. This really is a huge reason to be excited! When I say a huge reason, I mean exactly 1,500 square feet of a reason!! In other words, the Gallery at The Active Space could easily be the largest gallery in Bushwick….
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The floors in the gallery are refurbished hard wood, the space has tall ceilings, and its layout is really interesting. It’s not just a white cube, but one of its longer sides is divided by smaller walls into several open “rooms”, which promises interesting opportunities for installation of art work. The Gallery will also soon have a separate entrance from Johnson Ave.
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The Gallery of the Active Space will be open to the public for the first time next week on February 24 with their inaugural art show “Dreaming Without Sleeping” of street artist Criminy Johnson aka QRST.
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As for the future plans, Director Ashley Zelinskie revealed that they are planning a solo show of a popular Bushwick painter, gallerist and activist Deborah Brown. “She hasn’t seen how big the space is yet,” Zelinskie giggled.
Together with the Gallery, The Active Space finished reconstruction of the first floor, while they have been using only the second floor last year. Zelinskie says that the first floor now provides 10 economy sized studios for rent. The cheapest is 175 square feet big and costs only $350 per month. Additionally, there are some storage spaces for rent on the first floor too.
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The Active Space is a progressive art center and art studio building located at 566 Johnson Ave in a converted feather factory. The space opened in February 2011 during a popular Bushwick gallery walk, Beat Nite. Throughout the year, The Active Space – under the lead of young artist Ashley Zelinskie – rented most of the available studios on the second and third floor and organized several art shows in the space. The Active Space is trying to provide their artists not only with a space to work, but also with a community experience. The artists working in the building are regularly featured in the group shows The Active Space organizes.
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