The Gowanus Canal Conservancy organized an art show and sale running from Dec. 5 to Dec. 22, 2008, comprised of representational views of streetscapes and landscapes of Gowanus and surrounding neighborhoods.
 
The objectives of the show and sale were to raise funds for the Gowanus Canal Conservancy, highlight the Gowanus as the center of northwest Brooklyn neighborhoods, generate interest in the preservation of the Gowanus landscape, and foster opportunities for local artists.

The geographic center of the show was the Gowanus Canal, and the works reflected the streets, bridges, and buildings for several miles around, as well as Gowanus itself. The show highlighted the work of talented local painters and photographers Charles Basman, Emily Berger, Nan Carey, the late Eddie Earl Cato, Nicholas Evans-Cato, Gregory Frux, Ilan Jacobsohn, Tom Keough, Patricia Melvin, Sarah Mostow, Manuela Paul, Regina Perlin, Vincent Pinto, Karla Roberts, Bonnie Steinsnyder, and Ella Yang. These artists came together in an extraordinary way: not only agreeing to donate a percentage of their proceeds to further the Conservancy’s work, but also volunteering their time (along with the Conservancy’s board) in the often snowy or rainy late December to staff the gallery throughout the show’s run.

Proceeds from the show raised over $3,000 for the Conservancy (including a sale to an art lover who had visited the gallery, fallen in love with a beautiful painting by Ella Yang called “Sunset From 9th Street Bridge”, and purchased the piece with the Conservancy’s help two weeks after the show closed.) As local businesswoman Linda LaViolette, who generously contributed the use of the site, said “This is a great opportunity to support local artists, who have lived and worked in these neighborhoods since the 1960s, and who continue to contribute so much to the character of the area.”

Thanks so much to all the artists, art buyers (part of whose contributions went directly to support the Conservancy’s work), and visitors to our visual celebration of the Gowanus area!