Fowler Arts Collective is pleased to present Space Half Empty, co-curated by James Vanderberg, Keighty Alexander and Elizabeth Grammaticas. Space Half Empty features the work of 14 Fowler artists and highlights the unique influence the collective has had on these artists and their work. From the collaborative energy that comes from working in close proximity to other artists to the unique character of the studio’s historic warehouse building, this nearly two-year-old collective has had a particular influence on each exhibiting artist’s work.

Participating artists include Keighty Alexander, Melissa Bartlett, Benjamin Bois, Sophia Glass, Elizabeth Grammaticas, Tom Henry, Thomas Kwak, Dillon Lundeen-Goldschlag, Kate Nielsen, Rebecca Senn, Hannah Simmons, Calvin Siegel, James Vanderberg, and Emily Zuch.

Located at 67 West Street in the historic Greenpoint Terminal Market, Fowler inhabits a building that is an important link to Brooklyn’s maritime past. Built in the 1890’s, the Terminal Market originally housed a rope factory, and it was later repurposed for storage of goods such as coffee, cocoa, diamonds, and gold. After a long period of disuse, during which the complex became known as “The Forgotten City,” a 10-alarm fire in 2006 destroyed the majority of the waterfront buildings. Starting in 2010, when Fowler was established in the then mostly empty building, 67 West began to be developed into artist studios and workshops.

The past two years have seen the building and the surrounding industrial landscape of the Greenpoint waterfront revitalized with new life. 67 West’s purpose has repeatedly shifted over the years, but the building’s identity has never fully transformed. Cleats that were used to braid rope so long ago are still visible on the building’s many timber pillars, and coffee beans are still found in tiny crevasses between planks of the ancient wooden floors. These remnants of the past serve as constant reminders that the building will never fully belong to its present inhabitants. It is these blips and traces of 67 West’s long lifetime that have inspired Fowler’s studio artists in Space Half Empty.

Please join us for the opening reception of Space Half Empty on Friday, June 15th from 7-10pm. The exhibition and reception coincide with the kickoff of Northside Art, a part of the Northside Festival, which will continue through the weekend at various art spaces in Williamsburg and Greenpoint. Fowler will be participating in Northside’s open studios day on Sunday, June 17th from 12-6pm. Space Half Empty will be on view from June 15 to July 15, 2012. The exhibition can be viewed on Saturdays and Sundays from 12-5pm and by appointment.

Fowler is located in the historic Greenpoint Terminal building on the East River waterfront in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The closest subway is the Greenpoint Ave. G train stop. Our address is: 67 West Street, Unit 216, Brooklyn, NY 11222.

This exhibition is sponsored, in part, by the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, administered by the Brooklyn Arts Council, Inc. (BAC).