Proteus Gowanus is an interdisciplinary gallery and reading room. Named for the Greek sea god of change and the adjacent Gowanus Canal, Proteus Gowanus acts as an interpreter of culture and place, deepening the community’s sense of context and connection.
Current Exhibition
Gowanus Marketplace
May 9 – June 28, 2015
The final exhibition of our yearlong COMMERCE theme, Gowanus Marketplace explores the intersection of contemporary artistry and industry along the canal by presenting artist-made functional objects as objets d’art in a re-imagined Old World marketplace. We invite you to come SHOP to support these local artists and artisans. [more]
Archival Exhibits
Our exhibition spaces include archival installation that accrue and slowly evolve: Hall of the Gowanus and Reanimation Library. Come and spend a quiet hour or two browsing the books, studying old maps, examining curious artifacts.
Projects-in-Residence
Since its inception, Proteus has created or hosted many Projects-in-Residence, located in spaces adjacent to the central gallery. Some of these projects grew directly from our yearlong exhibitions, while other initiatives were invited to join based on their shared love of books, their wide-ranging intellectual curiosity, and their desire to engage the community in inclusive interdisciplinary explorations.
Reanimation Library
Proteotypes
Fixers’ Collective
Writhing Society
Hall of the Gowanus
bkbx [Brooklyn Box]
D’Amico Laboratory
Arts Gowanus
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Study Hall
Proteus Gowanus invites you to join Study Hall, a place for contemplation, study and work. Members use the Proteus galleries and reading rooms to work in quiet community with others in a setting filled with art, artifacts and books. [more]
Ongoing Events
Writhing Society
Wednesdays at 7pm
The Writhing Society, open to writers and non-writers alike, practices methods of constrained writing invented by the French group Oulipo and others. [more]
Fixers Collective
Third Thursday of every month
The Fixers Collective is a social experiment in improvisational fixing. Bring your broken thing and together we will see what can be done. [more].
Space Rental
Proteus Gowanus rents out all or some of its galleries for events, readings, photo shoots, product launches and parties. Our book- and art-filled rooms offer intimate spaces for gathering, as well as a larger area for presentations. [more]
Upcoming Events
Big Bargain Proteus Clean Out Sale
Sunday, July 26, 12pm-5pm
Come see Proteus Gowanus stripped down to her bare shelves. We’re selling everything CHEAP. Buy a remnant to remember us by: Books, art, crafts, knick-knacks, postcards, accumulations of the years. Also: old paint, electronic equipment, lighting, tools, chairs, and god knows what. Come poke around. Bring lots of cash!
Lift a Glass to Proteus Gowanus
Friday, July 10, 7-10pm
Join us for a farewell party and a joyful coming together of our creative community of friends and collaborators. Have a glass of wine, share a memory or two and listen to music by Lila Ramani, Jesse Brotter and Brian Aronow. [more]
It’s Closing Time
It is with a sense of celebration and sadness that we announce that Proteus Gowanus will close its doors on June 28th, 2015 after ten years of creative exploration on our beloved Gowanus Canal.
As our namesake and muse, Proteus the Greek sea god, would say, “It’s time for a change!”
Come visit us in the coming weeks for a last good look and conversation. Our current and final exhibition, Gowanus Marketplace, as well as our Projects-in-Residence, will be open through June 28th. We would love to see you! [more]
