LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 20th Anniversary of Brooklyn
Waterfront Artists Coalition's location on the Van Brunt Street Pier

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 20th Anniversary of Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition's
location on the Van Brunt Street Pier, to be celebrated at its Spring
Show on Saturday, May 19, 2012; and
WHEREAS, This event is to also acknowledge Greg O'Connell, a Red Hook
businessman who owns dozens of buildings in the neighborhood, including
the Fairway building; he is being recognized for his contributions of
gallery space to the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition (BWAC) for
the last 20 years; and
WHEREAS, BWAC is a 501.c.3 non-profit corporation; organized in 1978
by 16 artists looking for a place to exhibit, it has grown to become
Brooklyn's largest artist-run organization with over 400 members; and
WHEREAS, BWAC's artist/members are the management, leadership, board
and staff; it has two synergistic missions: to assist emerging artists
in advancing their artistic careers; and to present the art-of-today in
an easily accessible format; and
WHEREAS, For 30 years, BWAC has been exhibiting the artwork of local
Brooklyn artists; its three annual mega-exhibits and outdoor sculpture
show present a wide variety of contemporary visual arts from the tradi-
tional to the experimental cutting edge; and
WHEREAS, BWAC's 25,000 square foot gallery is in a Civil War-era ware-
house on the Red Hook waterfront; the vista of New York Harbor, spanning
the Statue of Liberty to the Verrazano Bridge, is one of the best in the
city; and
WHEREAS, A true asset to society, BWAC's distinguished record merits
the recognition and respectful tribute of this Legislative Body; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 20th Anniversary of Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coali-
tion's location on the Van Brunt Street Pier; and be it further.
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Greg O'Connell, and John Strohbeen, President, Brooklyn
Waterfront Artists Coalition.