When Rae McGrath moved to Bedford-Stuyvesant three years ago, he wasn’t sure that the area was ready for his vision. But thanks to plenty of hard work, McGrath’s baby, the Brooklynite Gallery, will open on Tuesday. And he thinks it’s not a moment too soon.
“This neighborhood is really starting to come around,” he said. “Three years ago, this wouldn’t have been possible. There’s still a lot of crime that needs to be addressed, but the people that are here want change, and the response [to the gallery] has been overwhelming.”
And it hasn’t even opened yet! When it does, the gallery, run by McGrath and his wife Hop, will feature “pop art with a street edge,” including its debut show, “Nose Candy” by Canarsie native BAST (his “Video 8,” pictured, is a silkscreen print with spray paint).
“It’s not graffiti, it’s much more evolved,” McGrath said about the work, which will be displayed inside the 500-square-foot space and on the 800-square-foot terrace. “I honestly believe this gallery is the first wave of change here.”
The opening reception for “Nose Candy” is 7 pm to 9 pm on June 10 at Brooklynite Gallery (334 Malcolm X Blvd. at Bainbridge Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant). Admission is free. For information, call (347) 405-5976 or visit www.brooklynitegallery.com.
