For more information about BGI’s work and how you can get involved, contact Brian McCormick at bmccormick@brooklyngreenway.org. Become a member today and you’ll receive notices about future bike tours and member events!

Photos: Brooklyn Greenway Initiative.

The group of 20 started in DUMBO and worked their way north along the greenway route to the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Cindy VandenBosch, founder of Turnstile Tours, shared some of the history of the land and buildings.

This walk was featured on Untapped Cities. Check out part one and part two!

All photos below are courtesy Laura MacNeil.

Brooklyn Greenway Initiative (BGI) hosted the opening of ReSURGEnce at the BGI Gallery on Friday, May 3rd, with more than 150 people in attendance throughout the evening.

ReSURGEnce, an exhibit celebrating the courage, resilience and strength of Brooklyn artists affected by Hurricane Sandy, features Red Hook artists Marsha Trattner and Hiroshi Kumagai. The show was curated by Carolyn Morris. BGI Gallery hosts quarterly art openings and shows featuring artists that live or work in neighborhoods along the route of the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway.

Marsha Trattner creates large outdoor sculpture in forged steel and home and outdoor objects and furniture. She was commissioned to create the first solar-powered chandelier, at Habana Outpost in Brooklyn. Ms. Trattner teaches NYC’s only blacksmithing classes at SVA and is the owner of She-Weld, a custom metal working business in Red Hook.

Hiroshi Kumagai uses pixelated internet images re-created in multi-level vinyl to explore the new definitions of personal privacy and what we reveal about ourselves through the tools of digital and social media and the concerns of the residues left behind in the electronic atmosphere.

ReSURGEnce will be open May 3 – June 7, 2013. A closing reception will be held on Friday, June 7th from 6:00PM-9:00PM. More information: art@brooklyngreenway.org.

30% of proceeds will be donated by the artists to support BGI’s work. All purchasers will also receive a one-year BGI membership. BGI thanks the event sponsors: Waterfront Wines at One Brooklyn Bridge Park and Farmacy.

BGI Gallery is located at 153 Columbia Street, Brooklyn, New York, 11231. Directions: F/G to Bergen or Carroll; B61 to Columbia Street. BGI is open Monday through Friday, 10:00AM-5:00PM or by appointment. Tel: 718.522.0193.

Target employees from all over the Tri-State area spent the day giving back to the community by revitalizing the Columbia Street stretch of the Greenway – tending to the tree pits with mulch, maintenance and weeding – all on company-paid time.

“Target likes to give back to the community, and seeing the positive response of people walking and riding along the Greenway and thanking us for our work was a real highlight,” said Target Group Vice President, Tony Roman.

Target also made a $1,500 contribution to BGI that goes towards supplies, materials and tools for the clean up and also insures that BGI’s stewardship work can continue beyond one volunteer day.

“The professionalism, energy and enthusiasm of Target volunteers was truly inspirational to see, and set a high bar for conducting all future corporate volunteer days,” said BGI Co-Founder Brian McCormick.

If your company would like to take part in a corporate volunteer day with Brooklyn Greenway Initiative, there are a number of opportunities available for groups of all sizes that can be tailored to meet the specific needs and interests of your company. Contact info@brooklyngreenway.org for more information.

]]> http://www.brooklyngreenway.org/bgi-hosts-first-corporate-volunteer-day-with-target/feed/ 0 http://www.brooklyngreenway.org/bgi-gallery-exhibit-opening-resurgence/ http://www.brooklyngreenway.org/bgi-gallery-exhibit-opening-resurgence/#comments Wed, 01 May 2013 20:41:42 +0000 BGI http://www.brooklyngreenway.org/?p=3967 Read More →]]> BGI Gallery announces ReSURGEnce, an exhibit celebrating courage, resilience and strength by Brooklyn artists affected by Hurricane Sandy, featuring Red Hook artists Marsha Trattner and Hiroshi Kumagai and curated by Carolyn Morris. BGI Gallery hosts quarterly art openings and shows featuring artists that live or work in neighborhoods along the route of the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway.

Marsha Trattner creates large outdoor sculpture in forged steel and home and outdoor objects and furniture. She was commissioned to create the first solar-powered chandelier, at Habana Outpost in Brooklyn. Ms. Trattner teaches NYC’s only blacksmithing classes at SVA and is the owner of She-Weld, a custom metal working business in Red Hook.

Hiroshi Kumagai uses pixelated internet images re-created in multi-level vinyl to explore the new definitions of personal privacy and what we reveal about ourselves through the tools of digital and social media and the concerns of the residues left behind in the electronic atmosphere.

The show’s opening reception will be Friday May 3rd from 6:00PM-9:00PM. For more information or to RSVP: art@brooklyngreenway.org The closing reception will be held on Friday, June 7th from 6:00PM-9:00PM.

30% of proceeds will be donated by the artists to support BGI’s work. All purchasers will also receive a one-year BGI membership. Event sponsors: Waterfront Wines & Spirits at One Brooklyn Bridge Park and Brooklyn Farmacy.

BGI Gallery is located at 153 Columbia Street, Brooklyn, New York, 11231. Directions: F/G to Bergen or Carroll; B61 to Columbia Street. BGI is open Monday through Friday, 10:00AM-5:00PM or by appointment. Tel: 718.522.0193.

We are pleased to announce that the 5th Annual Epic Ride will take place on Saturday, July 27, 2013.

The Epic is a 40-mile bike ride from Greenpoint to Rockaway Beach, showcasing the potential of a fully completed greenway along the Brooklyn and Queens waterfronts. The route will be marked, allowing riders to travel in a group that moves at their own pace.

As a result of the devastating effects of hurricane Sandy, the Epic route has been adapted somewhat from prior years. However, riders will have the opportunity to see first-hand the resilience of the communities hardest hit and to support local businesses as recovery continues.

Upon completing the ride, participants are invited to an after party hosted at Rockaway beach with live music and delicious food from the newly re-opened Rockaway food vendors.

Come join us for the Brooklyn Greenway Initiative’s largest, most popular and fastest growing event!

INDIVIDUAL AND TEAM REGISTRATION OPENS:

BGI members – April 29, 2013

Public registration – May 1, 2013

Places are strictly limited so be sure to register early.

For early and discounted registration, become a BGI member.

To be alerted when registration opens, please join the BGI mailing list.

Join the Epic Ride 2013 Facebook Event for updates and special offers.

For information regarding volunteering or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Olivia Lynch at olynch@brooklyngreenway.org.

Brooklyn Greenway Initiative invites emerging and mid-career artists who live and/or have studios along the Brooklyn waterfront to submit recent artwork for consideration to be included in the 2013-14 exhibition schedule at the BGI Gallery.

Submission Deadline:

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Eligibility and Requirements:

Entrants must live or have studios in neighborhoods along the route of the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway. The neighborhoods along the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway include those in Brooklyn Community Boards 1, 2, 6, and 7.

All forms of painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, photography, graphics, digital and installation art, video, site-specific installations, etc. are eligible, with consideration for BGI Gallery space restrictions.

Entrants must be 18 years of age or older to apply. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Themes:

Brooklyn Greenway Initiative is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization planning for the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway and its long- term stewardship. As the BGI Gallery reflects the mission and purpose of the organization, we encourage artists to explore their relationship with the Brooklyn waterfront environment, including the past, present and future. We are seeking artists whose work reflects their relationship, interpretation, experiences and explorations of and within the environmental surroundings of Brooklyn’s waterfront communities, neighborhoods and landscapes.

Exhibition Space:

BGI Gallery

153 Columbia Street (between Kane and Degraw Streets)

Brooklyn, New York 11231

Exhibition Dates* 2013 – 2014:

1) April 12** – May 26, 2013

2) June 14 – July 28, 2013

Gallery is closed during August

3) September 13 – October 27, 2013

4) November 15 – December 29, 2013

5) January 10- February 23, 2014

*Dates are approximate and subject to negotiation between BGI and the artist.

**If you wish to be considered for the April-May exhibition timeframe, please submit your materials no later than Friday, April 5, 2013. A decision will be made regarding the April-May exhibition by Wednesday, April 10, 2013.

Exhibition Space  / Size Restrictions:

The exhibition space includes the following:

1) Wall: 13′ length x 10′ 5″ height

2) Wall: 18′ length x 10′ 5″ height

3) Brick wall: 22′ length x 10′ 5″ height

4) Front window: 54″ x 21″ x 98″. A second front window is available for the opening reception only.

5) Floor area: 4′ x 4′ space at front of gallery.

Please note: all work must fit through a standard size door, height 82″, width 33″.

Submissions:

Submissions should be sent to: art@brooklyngreenway.org.

Submissions must include the following:

1) Cover Page, including name, address, telephone number, medium of works, email address, website address, and availability for the exhibition dates listed above;

2) Resume, including exhibition history / artist’s statement / biography;

3) 4-5 images of proposed artwork in jpeg form (300 dpi. max). Each piece must be labeled with the following: artist’s name, title, date, medium, dimensions (framed and unframed, if applicable), and price;

4) Submission fee.

Exhibition Terms:

Selected artists must sign an artist’s agreement with BGI Gallery and guarantee selected dates. All works must be for sale with the artist agreeing to donate 30% of proceeds to BGI. Sold pieces should remain in the gallery until the end of exhibition or be replaced if removed when sold. All shipping and delivery costs are the responsibility of the artist. Works must arrive one week before exhibition opening and be ready (including all hardware) to hang or place in the gallery. Artist must be onsite for installation and tutorial assistance. All works must be collected within one week of the close of the show. All walls must be returned to original condition.

Exhibited artists will have the opportunity to donate one piece to BGI’s permanent collection and/or to be auctioned at a BGI benefit event.

Submission Fees:

A $25 submission is required. For this fee, the artist will receive a one year membership to Brooklyn Greenway Initiative.

To pay the submission fee, go to www.brooklyngreenway.org and join BGI at the Supporter ($25) level. Afterwards, please confirm your submission fee by sending an email to art@ brooklyngreenway.org.

Selection Notification Process:

Those selected will be contacted by BGI Curator, Carolyn Morris, and offered an artist’s agreement / contract for one of the designated exhibition periods.

Those not selected will be notified by email before May 17, 2013.

Publicity / Opening Reception / Gallery Hours:

BGI Gallery will host an opening reception with beverages, and produce 500 exhibition announcement cards. It is the responsibility of the artist to collect and distribute cards. If desired, additional cards can be ordered at the artist’s expense. BGI will post announcements via the BGI website, e-newsletter and other social media, as well as local print outlets. The artist is responsible for having food provided for the opening reception; BGI can recommend businesses in the area. Open hours at the gallery will be negotiated between BGI and the artist.

With 5 miles already in place, the Greenway has started to become a reality for walkers, joggers, bikers and other Brooklynites looking to commute along and enjoy their waterfront. Released by New York City Department of Transportation (DOT), the plan details what the 14 mile route will look like, as well as how it will be implemented. The finished route will connect communities along Brooklyn’s waterfront from Newtown Creek in Greenpoint to the beginning of the Shore Parkway Greenway in Bay Ridge.

The Greenway has developed thanks to a partnership of public agencies and private organizations, including NYC DOT, Brooklyn Greenway Initiative (BGI) and Regional Plan Association (RPA). BGI and RPA have worked together for over a decade to design and build support for the Greenway.

Download Building The Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway (.pdf)

In June, the NYC Department of Transportation released the Implementation Plan for the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway, after years of community-based planning and interagency coordination by Brooklyn Greenway Initiative (BGI) and our partners.

This year, BGI also was able to renovate and move into a new storefront office space at 153 Columbia Street, just across from the greenway. We are thankful for the foundation capacity funding and in-kind donations that made this move possible, and we invite you to stop by and learn more about our work.

Please help us continue this momentum by making a 2012 tax-deductible year end gift to Brooklyn Greenway Initiative.

The Implementation Plan details 23 capital projects along the route, including future improvements to the five miles of greenway currently in use on Kent Avenue, Williamsburg Street, Flushing Avenue and Columbia Street. Three new greenway segments costing $38 million are fully funded and in design: West Street in Greenpoint, Flushing Avenue at the Navy Yard and Water Street in DUMBO.

This year Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz allocated $1.5 million in the NYC 2013 capital budget to initiate funding for the Sunset Park Connector segment from Smith Street to 39th Street and Second Avenue.

We also secured an additional $540,000 in capital funding from the NYS Department of State to build the Naval Cemetery Landscape along the greenway at WilliamsburgStreet.
This year we saw the use of greenway segments grow dramatically, with over 2,500 cyclists commuting along Flushing Avenue daily, making it one of the top three bike commuter routes in the city. Participation at our monthly cleanups, outreach events, benefits and bike tours continued to grow, with nearly 500 people joining the 4th Annual Brooklyn Waterfront Epic Ride this summer.

In 2013, we will continue the development of open spaces along the greenway route and we will develop green infrastructure design guidelines so that the greenway helps reduce combined
sewer overflows of raw sewage into the East River and New York Harbor. If we succeed in securing funding, by the end of the year we will begin construction of the Naval Cemetery Landscape, nearly two acres of native plant meadows dedicated to pollinators, which will provide greenway users with an effective escape from the urban built environment.

While millions of dollars are being allocated for construction of the greenway, none of this funding supports BGI’s operating budget. We must raise these funds separately, primarily from private contributors like you.

We need your support to sustain the momentum. Our effectiveness as an organization hinges on your continued financial support.

Please include Brooklyn Greenway Initiative in your year-end giving by making a tax-deductible gift today using the enclosed form or on our secure donation page. If your company has a corporate matching gift program or you wish to make a contribution through a donor advised fund, gift of securities, or family foundation, please contact Brian McCormick at 718.522.0193 or bmccormick@brooklyngreenway.org.

Thank you for your support and have a happy and healthy holiday season!

Sincerely,
Brian McCormick, Meg Fellerath and Milton Puryear