ROOM 58: A WRITERS SPACE

In a corner of Brooklyn Artists Gym's shared studio space for visual artists is Room 58, a new workspace designed specifically for journalists and other research-based writers. Behind the door marked 58 are actually two rooms, an outer office area with desks, fax, printer, research materials and file storage, and an inner quiet room with eight individual cubicles and a couple nice views of Manhattan.

"For some of our writers, telephone work is essential to what they do," says Scott Adkins, co-founder of Park Slope's popular Brooklyn Writers Space (BWS) and partner in the new Room 58/B.A.G. venture. "BWS is a great quiet environment for writers of all genres. But for those who also need traditional office capabilities, Room 58 is ideal."

Down the Slope on the third floor of 168 7th Street, B.A.G is a hub of creative enterprise. In addition to a large, well-lit studio with room for up to 12 visual artists to work at any given time, B.A.G. offers a newly renovated 850 sq. ft. gallery space, open figure drawing sessions and a variety of workshops on subjects from beginning bookbinding to accordion folds. The creative energy at B.A.G. is palpable, with exciting possibilities for cross-pollination between artists and writers.

"There's a synergy and fermentation that can happen when creative artists are working in the same place," says Peter Wallace, B.A.G. founder and co-partner of Room 58. "A new kind of meeting can happen—in the studio, in the lounge, in the gallery—that can launch a new tangent in someone's work, or affirm a direction that seemed tenuous at first."

So while Room 58 writers get instant art exposure when they cross the studio to their workspace, they reciprocate with monthly readings and regular screenings of their own independent films at the gallery. Throw in a party or two, combine readings with art openings, and a vibrant creative community is born. Which is exactly what Scott Adkins and Erin Courtney of BWS and Peter Wallace of B.A.G. have in mind.

The fees for Room 58 are $375 per quarter. The fees for B.A.G. range from $195 to $220 per month. Both Room 58/B.A.G. memberships include 24/7 secure access to the facility and discounts on gallery rental fees. Room 58 is a joint venture between BWS at 58 Garfield Place and B.A.G. at 168 7th Street ). For more information on Room 58 membership, contact Erin Courtney at 347-564-4847.