We might be seeing some serious changes to the Bushwick/Ridgewood gallery landscape in the coming months. While the news has typically been about new galleries moving in, this most recent change will be a huge blow to the local art scene.  We have just learned from a number of tenant sources that David Steinberg, the landlord at the 17-17 Troutman building, will no longer be allowing galleries to operate in his building. This surprising news has led the gallery residence of the building being forced to choose if they will quietly move out or fight the landlord’s decision, leaving the future of this building and the galleries in a very tenuous position.

17-17 Troutman building is currently home to six promising galleries- primarily artist run cooperatives: Parallel Art Space, Harbor Gallery, Regina Rex Gallery, Bull and Ram, Ortega Y Gasset Projects and Underdonk. Similarly to 56 Bogart Building off of Morgan Avenue, the 17-17 Troutman building (located just on the Bushwick Ridgewood border) has become a stronghold of the Bushwick-Ridgewood art scene and a proven hub to a large number of promising galleries that have been an integral part of transforming the neighborhood’s art scene. After several months of trying to negotiate and reason with the building’s landlord after complaints about the galleries being a threat to the building’s security, the galleries have all been given notice that either they must cease operating as galleries immediately and many have been given notice that their leases will not be renewed.

Regina Rex Gallery will be one of the first to leave; after the end of their most recent exhibition yesterday, they will be closing up shop and looking for a new location, a member of the artist-run cooperative told Bushwick Daily. While they are unsure of where they will end up, the gallery has considered leasing a space in the Lower East Side. Other galleries in the building are still open for now, but have also received notice that their leases will not be renewed.