ROOM 58: A WRITERS SPACE

In a sunny corner of Brooklyn Art Space's shared studio space for visual artists is Room 58, a 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 machine and printer, 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 the Carroll Gardens and Park Slope's popular Brooklyn Writers Spaces (BWS) and partner in the Room 58/Brooklyn Art Space 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, Brooklyn Art Space is a hub of creative enterprise. In addition to a large, well-lit 4000 square foot studio with room for up to 12 visual artists to work at any given time, Brooklyn Art Space offers semi-private and private studio rentals, a newly renovated 850 sq. ft. gallery space (Trestle Gallery/), open figure drawing sessions and a variety of workshops on subjects from beginning bookbinding to accordion folds. The creative energy at Brooklyn Art Space is palpable, with exciting possibilities for cross-pollination between artists and writers.

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 Rhia Hurt of Brooklyn Art Space have in mind.

The fees for Room 58 are $360 per quarter (plus a one-time $65 initiation fee). The fees for Brooklyn Art Space range from $125/month to $319 to $650/month for semi-private and private studio space. Both Room 58 and Brooklyn Art Space memberships include 24/7 secure access to the facility.

Room 58 is a joint venture between BWS at 58 Garfield Place and Brooklyn Art Space at 168 7th Street(btw 2nd Ave and 3rd Ave). For more information on Room 58 membership, contact Scott Adkins at 718-788-2697.