Attendees: Joan Salome-Rodriguez (Moderator), Katia Kelly, Peter Reich, Jason Schwartzman, Susan Yung
Guests: Irene Baker (National Grid), Aaron Kaufman (Gowanus Remediation Team)
1. Michael was not present but we know that he did explore the NYC Municipal Archives because some of the photos showed up in his Instagram account “Gowanus_Archeology” (there is an underline in there!). Joan and Peter sent materials.
- Michael will explore Brooklyn Eagle’s archive for materials
- update on Peter & his wife’s work.
- Voice of Gowanus archive? We also know that he did access the VOG archive.
- Shared https://nycrecords.access.preservica.com/?pg=2&s=gowanus+canal Muni Archive in the chat. The photos are very good. Take a look.
2. Check status of the Storyboard with Aaron. Chronicle Heritage is working on setting up an account with a platform for activity. He believes we will have a more certain date in January 2026. He explained the platform, Arts GIS, to Jason – it is a multi-media platform that allows photos, video, text and audio and the Story Map is the Hx of the Gowanus Canal.
3. Peter reported on his conversation with Johnny Thornton (Arts Gowanus) and they are open to us sharing material for the Walkabout Tour. We will start with the building where the CSO tank is going in and get the step by step of how to do it. Seems that getting the photos to Johnny is the key but there may be a cost associated with creating the vinyl posters (plastic and fabric 3’ x 5’) with the QR code (see one by the Carroll St. Bridge). The QR code is a single code that takes one to a website with a map that the viewer uses to find their current location and see what was there before the re-zone. It seems that a lot of this walkabout falls into what we want to focus on, the WAY IT WAS as opposed to the way it is now. Peter will send me Johnny’s email again and I need to sell the idea to him of us sharing stuff. Peter recommends speaking with Andrea at Gowanus Canal Conservancy, too.
4. Through its Gowanus Neighborhood Art Advisory Committee (GNAAC) initiative, Arts Gowanus has made significant inroads working with developers to incorporate public art installations (majority of them by Brooklyn-based artists) at 7 to 8 sites along the Gowanus Waterfront Esplanade; these projects are currently under review by the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR). Let’s see if Johnny can come to one of our meetings. This may be out of our scope but if there is an appetite for bigger items, maybe John Quadrozzi’s storage items can now be utilized. Also discussed perhaps a historical exhibit at the Gowanus Dredgers 2nd Street space. If I go to Quadrozzi’s, I want a person to accompany me.
5. On the back burner: Reach out to Brooklyn College Museum Studies Program and to Pratt’s archaeology team in the fall to see if there are any opportunities there. (This was Joan’s action item, not done yet.) Keep an eye on the Union Street Library on Clinton Street to see when it opens (not yet).
6. Agreed as a committee to build synergy with local arts community and to explore options with new Gowanus Canal Conservancy space, Thomas Greene Park community center.
For a recording of the meeting, please click here.
Passcode: $um7N.9q