Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition marks first anniversary since Red Hook fire with new exhibit titled, 'One Year Later'
The group marked the anniversary with a new exhibition centered on resilience, recovery and renewal.
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The Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition (BWAC) marked one year Saturday since a devastating warehouse fire destroyed its longtime home in Red Hook.
The group marked the anniversary with a new exhibition centered on resilience, recovery and renewal.
The exhibit, titled “One Year Later... New Work, New Perspective,” reflects on the 2025 fire that forced out the artists from the space they occupied for 35 years.
“It has been one year. We want to move on,” said Alicia Degener, president of BWAC. “We've all been making new artwork. We're here for each other and to support each other. Part of that, unfortunately, has been some grief and transition and loss after losing our space of 35 years in Red Hook.”
While the fire destroyed the coalition’s home, members say it did not diminish the artistic community that has defined BWAC for decades. Since the fire, artists have relied on donated exhibition spaces and support from the community to continue to showcase their work.
“When the fire happened, the outpouring of support was incredible from the community,” Degener said. “Obviously, I want to continue BWAC for our members, but I also want to fulfill what the community did for us and believing in us that we could keep going.”
For artist Hisham Youssef, the exhibit serves as both a personal and collective reflection on loss. He said all three of his pieces featured in the show were inspired by lessons learned after the fire.
“For me, it's getting things out of my studio because I haven't really shown it anywhere else,” Youssef said. “Things can disappear in the blink of an eye. Even pieces that I've never wanted anyone to see. I've put it out for people to see because you never know.”
One of his most meaningful works on display is a reimagined version of “100 Hands,” an earlier piece that was destroyed in the fire. The updated artwork now stands as a symbol of hope and resilience.
“It’s a good record for me, of where I am in life,” Youssef said.
Although the exhibition is expected to conclude this weekend, BWAC leaders say the search for a permanent home may be nearing an end.
“There’s something about BWAC that needs to be preserved in Brooklyn,” Degener said.
With new artwork, renewed support and optimism for the future, BWAC is turning a painful chapter into a fresh start.
