Attendees: Joan Salome-Rodriguez (Moderator), Edmund Diegel, Michael Killian, Peter Reich
Guests: Irene Baker (National Grid), Aaron Kaufman (Gowanus Remediation Team)
1. Michael explored the NYC Municipal Archives (https://nycrecords.access.preservica.com/?pg=2&s=gowanus+canal) and some of the photos show up in his Instagram account “Gowanus_Archeology” (there is an underline in there!). Eymund provided to the Gowanus Canal Conservancy (GCC) a bunch of material and would share with us, too. It can be found on Portside Proteus Gowanus. He and Michael will share emails.
a) Brooklyn Eagle’s archive was more tricky.
b) Peter & his wife’s work – he will check with Karen but suspects it will be ok.
c) VOG archive was looked over, to
2. Status of the Storyboard – still the same. Chronicle Heritage is working on setting up an account with a platform for activity. He believes we will have a more certain date in early 2026. Arts GIS is a multi-media platform that allows photos, video, text and audio and the Story Map is the Hx of the Gowanus Canal.
Getting our stuff out there
3. Peter emailed Johnny and Emily and Andrea for a fresh start on working with Johnny Thornton (Arts Gowanus) and sharing material for the Walkabout Tour. The building where the CSO tank is going in is first. DEFERRED: Invite Johnny to one of our meetings once we have a plan of what we’d like to see displayed.
4. How to get photos we would like to post to Johnny as 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 Street Bridge). But Peter thinks no real cost because the images can be sent to Johnny electronically. The QR code takes one to a website with a map the viewer uses to find their current location and see what was there before the re-zone.
5. “Through its Gowanus Neighborhood Art Advisory Committee (GNAAC) initiative, Arts Gowanus has made significant inroads working with developers to incorporate public art installations at 7-8 sites along the Gowanus Waterfront Esplanade; under review by Parks.” If we hear back from Johnny we can get an update on what exactly Parks is reviewing and whether there is security for items such as those with Quadrozzi.
6. Touch base with Andrea at GCC for possible displays. Similar conversation with Dredgers should take place. Agreed as a committee to build synergy with local arts community and to explore options with new GCC space, Thomas Greene Park community center. New semester so outreach to Brooklyn College Museum Studies Program and to Pratt’s archaeology team is timely now to see if there are any opportunities there. (This is Joan’s action item.)
7. Clinton Street library not open yet but ultimately we’d like to see if some things could be displayed there.
8. https://america250.org/a250-funding-directory/
This is for the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Brooklyn. Suggestion from Eymund: a Union Street Bridge celebration since the Revolutionary War was partially won because of the Gowanus. August 27, 2026 is an important date for the Canal – special events should be thought up for the Gowanus Canal’s 1776 Revolutionary history. OUTREACH?
For a video recording of the January 5 meeting, please visit:
Passcode: =r86BkrU