Get Creative at Powerhouse Arts This Summer!
The Brooklyn cultural hub prepares to welcome the MGC Community Print Studio, classes, workshops, and more!
Tucked away on Third Avenue between a self-storage facility and the Gowanus Canal, a century-old, former power plant has been transformed into a thriving creative hub where artists bring their ideas to life.
Powerhouse Arts (PHA) officially opened its doors in 2023. The organization’s 170,000 square feet facility offers in-house production facilities and expert fabrication teams specializing in ceramics, print, public art, textiles, and metal as well as member studios offering ceramics and print artists access to workspace, materials, and equipment. The building also boasts three event spaces, and a new retail shop will open soon.
After volunteering at PHA’s second annual Community Day – a family-friendly event that welcomed more than 3,000 visitors for art activities, workshops, demos, and performances – I was curious to learn what the organization has lined up for the summer.
"We often refer to Powerhouse Arts as a hive abuzz with creative energy, where artists and the community converge. Our new programs invite both working artists and the art-curious public to step inside, participate, and celebrate the shared possibilities of creative expression in Brooklyn," says Eric Shiner, President of Powerhouse Arts. "It is meaningful for our organization to continue expanding ways that local artists and arts enthusiasts can hone their skills and push the boundaries on their practice. Through the MGC Community Print Studio and the ongoing public events we host, we hope to inspire new possibilities among the community we serve."
Here are a few ways for the community to express their creativity in the coming months.
PHA Learning
PHA’s Public Programs team has been busy working on a series of educational workshops and classes for July and August. From indigo dyeing to zine-making to diorama-building, there’s something for everyone to learn a new skill and flex their talent. The eight offerings will provide hands-on training for adults (18 and up) at all levels. One-day workshops or multi-day classes are available on-site and will be led by practicing artists. Classes and workshops are offered on a sliding scale, with a minimum from $15 to $25. Find more info here.
MGC Community Print Studio
Earlier this year, PHA welcomed Manhattan Graphics Center to its new home on the fifth floor of the facility. The renamed MGC Community Print Studio moves to Gowanus after nearly 40 years in Manhattan. Launching July 16, the new studio will offer traditional and experimental printmaking processes, lithography (including stone lithography), intaglio, screen printing, Eastern- and Western-style relief printing, and more. The new 4,402-square-foot space features a state of the art ventilation system as well as seasoned instructors to support artists.
Applications are now open for membership! Membership includes: unlimited studio access during open hours; storage; some materials including basic inks, newsprint, proofing paper; access to studio technicians; 25% off on classes; and more.
"All of us at MGC Community Print Studio are excited to be part of Powerhouse Arts (PHA), where we build on our nearly 40 year history while also contributing to the broader cross-disciplinary creative offerings at PHA," says Lisa Archigian, Director of MGC Community Print Studio. "We have been putting the finishing touches on the studio and along the way have been thrilled to meet so many people from surrounding neighborhoods during tours, events like the Brooklyn Fine Art Print Fair, and Community Day. As we open our doors, we can't wait to expand those relationships, and welcome the community to this approachable and accessible home for printmaking."
Manhattan Graphics Center was founded in Soho in 1986 by a group of printmakers who needed space to work. MGC provides an affordable, inclusive, professional studio and exhibition space for printmakers of all levels. The studio offers monthly memberships, drop-in rates, intro classes, masterclasses, editioning room, exhibitions, artist talks, fellowships, monitor opportunities, and outreach to public high schools. Learn more at www.manhattangraphicscenter.org.
Community Ceramics Studio
Attention ceramicists! Take advantage of PHA’s Community Ceramics Studio summer sign-up special: 15% off the first month when you sign up for membership (minimum 3-month commitment)! Opened in 2023, the Community Ceramics Studio provides a bright and airy workspace, communal firing or kiln rentals, and access to staff for guidance. Learn more here.
About the Building
Based in Gowanus in a formerly abandoned Brooklyn Rapid Transit power station, Powerhouse Arts is a not-for-profit organization committed to creative expression. Completed in 1904, the building was designed by Thomas E. Murray in the Romanesque Revival style. The power station shut down in the 1950s and half of the building was demolished. In the late twentieth century, the facility became a squatter’s haven known as the “Batcave,” a popular spot for raves and for street artists who covered the walls in graffiti. Much of the artwork has been preserved and still adorns the interior walls.
In 2012, Powerhouse Arts acquired the site and in 2016, the world renowned architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron was commissioned to revitalize the industrial facility as an arts space. Today, the cavernous building is home to a network of artists, fabricators, and educators who co-create and collaborate.
Events
Looking ahead to the fall – PHA recently announced the debut of Powerhouse: International, a performance arts festival taking place from September 25 to December 13. Artists from around the world will perform innovative theatrical, musical, and dance works. More than 10,000 tickets will be priced at $30 to make the festival accessible to a broad audience.
Powerhouse: International comes hot on the heels of two well-received art fairs presented by PHA earlier this year – the inaugural Brooklyn Fine Art Print Fair and Conductor. At the end of March, PHA’s Grand Hall was packed with an array of exhibitor booths showcasing 41 international print-focused art galleries; 28 self-representing artists and book arts makers; and six local academic print departments. There were talks, tours, and demonstrations celebrating the print community while fostering opportunities for artists, publishers, galleries, and collectors.
In May, the Conductor fair showcased young up-and-coming galleries and artists from the global majority — communities from Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Oceania, and Indigenous Nations. Expanded editions of both fairs are in the works for 2026.
Powerhouse Arts hosts many exciting programs throughout the year for artists and neighbors. Visit powerhousearts.org for more information.
Pam Wong is a member of the Community Advisory Council at Powerhouse Arts. She is a Brooklyn-based writer and curator who loves contemporary art and sharing community stories. Follow her on Instagram at @arthagnyc or at arthagnyc.substack.com.