ARTWALK CURATED TOURS:

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  + A Tour of Gowanus by artist and founder / creative director of Proteus Gowanus, Sasha Chavchavadze

  Starting at Atlantic Avenue, walk south on Smith Street past countless small restaurants and shops. If you're hungry, I highly recommend the steamed dumplings/dim sum at Chance and coffee at the Fall Café. Turn left on Union Street and walk down the hill towards the Gowanus Canal passing lovely gardens in front of every house. You can stop midway at the Black Mountain Inn at Union and Hoyt for a glass of wine in their front garden. At Bond Street, make a short jog to the left to see the new Bond Street Gallery (I haven't been there yet, but welcome the new neighbor!).

  Back on Union Street, cross the Union Street Bridge and PAUSE midway. Check out whether it is high tide or low tide on the Gowanus Canal. You might see a cormorant or ducks. I have seen a swan! Look north and you will see the 19th Century flushing tunnel, a giant propeller housed in a beautiful red brick structure that keeps the water moving and cleaner (when it is working). When I used to come to this area in the early 1980's there were NO BIRDS. Now you can hear bird song. On your left is a newly defunct oil depot. Look south and you will see the Carroll Street Bridge, a wooden drawbridge.

  As you pass over the Union Street Bridge, on your left there is a beautiful urban garden tended by a local resident. Next to it is a peeked roof brick building that houses a folding bicycle designer's studio and workshop (Peter Reich's "Swiftfolders"- Peter's studio is accessed off Nevins Street behind the building), and the huge boiler room for our building: 543 Union Street.

  

  On the corner of Nevins and Union Streets you will see the purple and black striped awnings of Claireware. Claire Weissberg is a potter who has set up a studio and shop that is open to the public. Above her shop, on the third floor, is Ernie Gusella's stained glass studio. Ernie gives lessons and sells stained glass. More than 20 artists have studios in this building. You can visit many of them during the Gowanus open studio weekend in October (AGAST).

  Turn left on Nevins Street and circle around to the back of the building. You will see a blue sign saying "Proteus Gowanus". Enter through the large black metal gates down our alleyway, a favored spot for local photographers. A golden arm above the door of the gallery will beckon you.

  

  In the gallery, visit our exhibit revolving around the yearlong theme PLAY, including art, artifacts, objects and books; a one-room Cold War museum called the Museum of Matches; and a library of discarded library books called the Reanimation Library, chosen to interest artists, writers and cultural explorers. The exhibit also includes art, artifacts and books related to the Gowanus Canal; letterpress poetry books by the poetry collective Ugly Duckling Presse, magazines, books and a mini-exhibit by Cabinet magazine, and much more! On Saturday, June 8th we will host an event in collaboration with our non-profit partner Kentler International Drawing Space: a presentation and discussion of contemporary prints with artists and printmakers in attendance. (I highly recommend a visit to Kentler, which exhibits contemporary drawings, and is located at the other end of the Gowanus Canal in Red Hook – another walking trip!)

  

  After visiting Proteus Gowanus, you can meet the Gowanus Dredgers* for your canoe trip, or continue on Union Street towards Park Slope, passing on your right the Bayridge Iron Company, and on your left the South Brooklyn Casket Company. On weekdays the sidewalk is teaming with coffins! Turn right on 4th Avenue and visit the Brooklyn Lyceum, a former 19th century bathhouse located on 4th Avenue and President St, now housing all sorts of interesting performance projects, a café, and a baseball batting cage!

  Further along 4th Avenue, turn right at 3rd Street and go to your final stop at the corner of 3rd Street and 3rd Avenue. My favorite Brooklyn artifact is located there: a small, beautiful, 19th century building that was originally Edwin Litchfield's offices. Litchfield was responsible for transforming the Gowanus Creek into the canal in the 1860's. The building has, thankfully, been spared the wrecking ball, though lately it is sporting a huge advertisement for, heaven forbid, a demolition company!

  Enjoy your walk!
  
  *Note: you might want to book a canoe trip with the Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club to compliment this tour www.waterfrontmuseum.org/dredgers

  Sasha Chavchavadze is a visual artist, and founder/creative director of Proteus Gowanus, an interdisciplinary gallery and reading room located on the Gowanus Canal.

  

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  + A Tiny Historical Tour of Old Atlantic Avenue by Brooklyn Historian, Erik Fortmeyer

  201-203 Atlantic Avenue – Take a look at this address today and you see the low-profile brick church it has been since the 1960s. It was a vaudeville theater from about 1910 until it was converted to a popular "motion picture theater" in 1928 and named the Eden Theatre. The site in most of the later 19th century was Latimer's furniture storage upstairs and Flatley's Furniture Store on the ground floors until it burned and collapsed killing one person on May 25, 1894.

  228-230 Atlantic Avenue – Look inside this popular local pub today (now The Brazen Head) and you will note the unusual angled brick wall on the left side. Rumors abounded for year as to why this was built that way. The real reason was because this building was built on the site of where the old Red Hook Lane used to pass by until the area was developed in the 1840s. The angled lane was the legal eastern border of Brooklyn and kept on maps until this building was constructed in 1886 encompassing the old border.

  288 Atlantic Avenue – A humble local law office, right? That has been the case in recent decades, but back in the 1920s it was Abraham Pressman's Clothing Store. The stucco front probably covered over the alterations done to a larger plate glass viewing window. Before that in the 1870s, it was Herman Thimig's bottling establishment where you could buy twelve bottles of Guinness Extra Stout for $2.25. Thimig did very well with this line of business and later was a founding partner with Anheuser-Busch in building the bottling facility in 1891 that is today the Ex-Lax Coop Building up the street.

  315 Atlantic Avenue – The Lily apartment building today has been fully renovated and modernized. From 1881 until the late 1890s it was the Lucretia Mott Dispensary where "the worthy poor" women and children of the area could receive free medical treatment and medicines. It was named for the famous women's rights advocate who passed away in late 1880. It went out of business due to Brooklyn's consolidation into New York City that ended most of the Brooklyn government subsidy that the dispensary ran on.

  351-353 Atlantic Avenue – Fewer buildings on Atlantic Avenue have a prettier exterior than that of The Horseman Antiques. The building was originally two 25-foot wide brownstones built around 1840 that were rebuilt and extended into the Brooklyn Turn Verein Hall where local Germans would have social gatherings and events. It was very popular with everyone else as well, except for the Temperance people who objected to its serving lager bier on the premises. It was also used as a hotel and finally closed around 1920 as Prohibition took effect.

  388-390 Atlantic Avenue – Today we have a yoga facility and veterinary clinic, but from about 1915 until 1970, these two buildings were part of the Standard-Johnson Coin Counting Company here and behind on Pacific Street. Thousands of small businesses nationwide, including many, many movie theaters used these reliable electric machines for counting up the mountains of small change that constituted most business back in their day.

  410 Atlantic Avenue – Check out the fine plate glass windows and fancy carved Victorian facades around them. Large plate glass was developed during the Civil War and put quickly to use by shopkeepers for better viewing of window displays. The brownstone apartment rental business today advertises with the same plate glass that was used in 1898 when this was the Brooklyn Kneipp Store and Hygienic Supply Company selling items related to the popular Kneipp Water and Herb Cure. The methods of this homeopathic cure are still practiced today in parts of Germany where it originated.

  Erik Fortmeyer is the official historian of the Boerum Hill Association and is writing a much larger history of Boerum Hill. He hopes to have the full book out in 2009. See some of his additional local history pieces can be found at Boerum Hill Association.

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  + A Curated Brooklyn tour by artist, Chris Piazza

  Local Churches, Synagogues and other places of worship. Brooklyn used to be called "The City of Churches" and as an artist it's been one of my joys to visit them. I don't have to be a member of their congregations to enjoy their special sense of peace, the beauty of their symbolic art and decoration and their reverent atmosphere. They are all well worth considering as blessings to our city streetscapes and perfect peace-escapes.

  Here are two of my local favorites:
  
  St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral at 355 State Street. This is "The mother Cathedral and seat of the Metropolitan of the Self-ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. It is also the first community established by St. Raphael of Brooklyn." It's beautiful! Even if it's not open just stop by to see it's lovely stonework facade tucked in on tree-lined State Street.

  St. Constantine & Helen at 64 Schermerhorn St. Every year this church has a Greek festival with food and a little bazaar and kids and families with tables out on the street and music - GREEK MUSIC! I don't know about you but I have a very difficult time resisting the urge to dance to Greek music. Look for this wonderful festival later in the year and meanwhile, visit it if you get the chance. See it's beautiful Greek Orthodox interior decoration. And the people at the church are so very friendly. What a treasure!

  Two places, now privately owned and no longer public places of worship, but worth noting on a walking tour are:
  
  Cuyler Presbyterian Church at 358 Pacific Street. I was told that a Rev. David Cory once ministered here to hundreds of Iroquois ironworkers who worked in NYC on the bridges and skyscrapers.

  

  Deity Lounge at 368 Atlantic Avenue. I can't speak about the current lounge, since I haven't been there, but the facade is really worth stopping to look at. Look up and notice what remains of the old Synagogue that used to occupy this space. I wish I could offer more information about this fascinating remnant of an older Brooklyn. Maybe if you stand there long enough the stones will talk.

  The Sacred Heart of Jesus at 33 Wyckoff Street. I love this statue and family votive shrine and use any excuse I can get to walk past it. I recently had the pleasure of meeting Miriam, the owner of the building. She explained that The Sacred Heart was originally one of the statues at Saint Pauls, at Congress and Court. In 1975 Saint Pauls decided to let go of some of their statuary. Miriam had The Sacred Heart installed in a vitrine made by Vinne's Italian Art Iron Works at 42 Bergen Street... where you can see, on top of the building, Saint Joseph, also from Saint Pauls and the companion statue to The Sacred Heart.

  

  And speaking of families... Downtown Atlantic Restaurant at 347 Atlantic Avenue. I LOVE this place. But please don't everyone start going there because I don't want to lose my regular spot in the corner at the bar! This family run restaurant has it ALL: great food (EVERYTHING on the menu is wonderful) great people (Kurt, Fran, Frank, Chris and their extended families and all the staff and "the regulars" and Carl & the Sunday musicians too!) great atmosphere (MY posters are on the walls) AND Fran's indescribably spectacular cupcakes! What more do you want? Am I prejudiced? Absolutely!

  Monteros Bar & Grill at 73 Atlantic Ave. I love this place! The BEST dive bar atmosphere on Atlantic Avenue - bar none - case closed! The decor is exactly my idea of the perfect bar. This is where I took my boyfriend as a test on our first date. I figured if he liked this place he was worth taking a chance on. He loved it too. We're still together and we still stop by for scotch & sentimental reasons.

  

  If you're willing to take a walk a bit further afield you'll be happily rewarded by a visit to Proteus Gowanus at 543 Union Street, a perfectly named shape-shifter of versatile transformations as art gallery/reading room/nonprofit exhibition space/bookstore, etc. etc. etc. it just keeps reinventing itself with marvelous results. I first wandered in there a few years ago delighted to find such a remarkable place in what had formerly been my first home in Brooklyn. In 1979, along with a group of other artists, I had moved into the old factory building and helped established it as a home for artists. When the landlord sold the building I was heartbroken to have to leave, for we had been quite a creative little colony along the banks of the scenic Gowanus Canal. Returning years later to find Proteus Gowanus, and getting to know it's creative director, Sasha Chavchavadze, I felt that our energy hadn't really left, but rather had been transformed, as the essential nature of Proteus suggests. Don't miss it - it's worth the walk!

  Chris Piazza's work has been described in the New York Times as "artwork that memorialized both her cultural heros and the vanishing parts of New York." Her work is connected by themes of multiple reference, antique materials and found objects, imbued with the passage of time.

  Piazza currently lives and works in Boerum Hill in a 19th century carriage house, which she personally restored. For more information, visit this New York Times article featuring Piazza or www.cpiazza.com

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  + A Curated Brooklyn tour by artist, director, Mac Premo

  

  Welcome to Boerum Hill. The first thing to do is have a pint at the Brooklyn Inn on 148 Hoyt Street at Bergen. I think the Inn opens at 4, so here are a few things to do prior to your pint:

  The Artwalk offers you the opportunity to see where local artists work. I would highly recommend visiting the unique studio of Chris Piazza. You may have seen her work on the posters in Downtown Atlantic – (great burger, by the way). This is a chance to see the environment in which Chris makes her one of a kind work. Her studio is more like an installation than it is a studio. Not to be missed.
  
  * Editor's Notes: Chris Piazza is launching a year-long work at ArtWalk08. While her studio is closed for construction in 2008, the community is all invited to participate.

  Then head over and visit Alex Racine's studio. He is at 477 Atlantic Ave. Alex is a phenomenal sculptor. This year he is "planting" a ton of hand made clay flowers in his back yard. While you are at 477, check out KEA. More than a rug store, it hosts stunning tapestries.

  

  By now you might be hungry. For a sit down, the place to go is Baccus. Bruno will feed you delicious French food and the wine list is enormous. My favorite local at which to dine.

  If you want to keep moving, have a quicker meal two doors from Baccus at the Bedouin Tent - 405 Atlantic Avenue. Delicious middle-eastern food, falafels, etc. The merguez sausage is lip smacking, but my money is on the chicken sandwich.

  

  Now your t-shirt is a mess. Go buy a new one at the Brooklyn Circus - 258 Bergen Street on Bergen just off Nevins. The BKC is a friendly local clothing store. Owner Ouigi will warm the room with his greeting whether he knows you or not. Buy a tough pair of new jeans and a classic BKC t-shirt, and you will go home like fifteen-times cooler than your neighbors. If your feet are dragging, grab a cup of coffee at the Nascent right across the street.

  Hooray. Now it is time to continue the dehydration at the best bar in Brooklyn. Walk down Bergen two blocks to Hoyt street. Go to the Inn. Say goodnight.

  Mac Premo
  Bats: Left
  Throws: Right
  Born: Washington, DC 1973
  Education: BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design, 1995
  Art Exhibitions: New York; Washington, DC; Providence, Rhode Island, and Belfast, Ireland.
  Work: Animator and commercial director, creative director, illustrator, and carpenter.
  Commercial Awards: 2008 Emmy Award for ArtWalk07 and 2001 Emmy nomination for Lifetime's "Stand Up" public service campaigns, 1998
  New York Emmy nomination and 1998 New York Award for MSG Netowork's "Yankees" campaign.

  Mac's home and studio is in Brooklyn, New York.
  www.macpremo.com
  www.lookatbook.com

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  + A Curated Brooklyn tour by Ouigi designer, founder of The Brooklyn Circus

  Moon Café – 496 Atlantic Avenue – reminds me of a little spot I visited on the North shore of Honolulu. It has a great organic vibe, good mood and some solid wifi. The backyard rocks too, if you want some fresh air.

  Nascent – 143 Nevins Street, cool cafe with free internet access. Chill spot to do your work away from the summer heat. I don't do coffee, but the beans always smell good.

  

  Mac Premo across the street – 132 - 134 Nevins Street (big gate door) is an Emmy award winning visual artist/carpenter, Mac Premo's work shop. His studio mate, furniture designer turned jewelry designer Aaron is pretty funky too. Don't let their extensive experience scare you, they are the coolest thing since italian icies. Knock on their gate for a tour.

  The Brooklyn Circus In the same area (Bergen and Nevins that is) check out The Brooklyn Circus for your cool (COOL I SAY) selection of Brooklyn themed t-shirts. Their customer service is second to none, tell them I sent you.

  Stir It Up - 514 Atlantic Avenue (nead Third Avenue) - Good Caribbean food lives here everyday of the week. Tell them Ouigi sent you and you'll receive full service, plate and utensils included. Try the oxtail with butterbeans, the brown stewed chicken and the ginger pineapple juice.

  

  Home and Abroad – 487 Atlantic Avenue, we are suckers for good company. There you will receive a big smile and great service from owner Leticia. Always prepared to show you a cozy bed arrangement or piece of furniture.

  Hollander & Lexer – 358 Atlantic Avenue - This men's Boutique is very style specific and shopping at it's best. All the brands offered at this cool little spot have a similar vibe. A vibe that the place embraces so well. The entire story is insinct and beleivable at this boutique. Totally worth a visit,male or female.

  Madina - 568 Atlantic Avenue - stop by Madina for the largest selection of enticingly scented oils, soaps and hand lotion. The prices are always wholesale low.

  

  Tell them Ouigi The Bearded Man from The Brooklyn Circus sent you, you might get a few funny looks, who cares, keep browsing.

  Ouigi is designer, owner of The Brooklyn Circus. In Brooklyn, find them at 258 Bergen Street and look for their new BK location on Nevins Street soon. In San Francisco, The Brooklyn Circus is located at 1525 Fillmore Street or online.