After reviewing nearly 4,000 submissions from local artists, the Brooklyn Museum has announced the 216 participants for The Brooklyn Artists Exhibition, set to open on October 4. A complete list of selected artists can be found at the end of this article.
The museum began accepting artwork submissions in February, drawing on its long history of supporting artists in the borough as it approaches its 200th anniversary. The exhibition will span 15,000 square feet in the museum’s Great Hall, showcasing the creativity and diversity of Brooklyn by featuring artists across a wide range of mediums.
Emerging textile artist Qualeasha Wood shared with Hyperallergic that exhibiting her work at the Brooklyn Museum holds special significance for her, as her family has deep roots in the borough.
“My first American ancestor on my dad’s side was born in Brooklyn in 1873, so my family has a very long and storied history here,” Wood said. “It’s where my dad spent much of his childhood, and where I spent a lot of time as a kid.”
For the exhibition, Wood created a new piece titled “Brooklyn Baby,” inspired by a Lana Del Rey song of the same name. “All the images of me in the work are from my studio and apartment in Brooklyn, along with details from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, where I had my first real date with my fiancé, and even the Winthrop Street stop on the 2 train,” she explained.
While celebrating local talent, the Brooklyn Museum has faced controversy in recent years. In 2023, the institution dealt with criticism over prolonged negotiations with its unionized employees, who threatened to strike. Additionally, pro-Palestine protesters have frequently demonstrated on its grounds amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, condemning the museum board’s connections to military investments. This year, the museum condemned “police brutality” during a May 31 protest, where local activist groups, including the Palestinian-led collective Within Our Lifetime, were forcibly removed by external security and NYPD officers.
The upcoming exhibition continues the tradition of open-call shows, similar to the De Young Open at San Francisco’s de Young Museum. An organizing committee of artists—including Jeffrey Gibson, Vik Muniz, Mickalene Thomas, and Fred Tomaselli—was responsible for reviewing applicants, inviting participants, and curating the exhibition. The show was coordinated by Brooklyn Museum Deputy Director of Art Sharon Matt Atkins, Senior Exhibitions Project Manager Lauren Bierly, and Special Exhibition Administrator Jennie Tang.
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