This spring author Maureen McNeil and photographer Janet Neuhauser released a compilation of 20 short stories and photographs that recount the politically and otherwise neglected residents of the “empty dockyard neighborhood” that was Red Hook between 1981 and 1992. In
Red Hook Stories, McNeil’s characters—artists, carpenters, squatters, out-of-work dockyard workers and their families—struggle to survive against a backdrop of sagging porches and scrappy streets, through civil meetings, young pregnancies and kitchen poker games played with welfare checks. Together the scenes paint a vivid and warm, although isolated and difficult, picture of life in 80s Red Hook, and the author’s care for the neighborhood is evident in the book’s intimate tone.
McNeil and Neuhauser both made their way cross-country from Washington state to Red Hook in the late 70s after running a vegetarian restaurant together in Olympia and attending classes at the newly-opened Evergreen State College. They both bought property in Red Hook for now impossible prices—Neuhauser a three story brick building and two empty lots for $12,000 and McNeil a three story wood frame house with apple trees in the backyard for $6,000—and raised children, while observing and absorbing the neighborhood. Said McNeil, “Red Hook was the gritty life experience I craved growing up in my suburb of Seattle—a great mix of artists and old-timers—Puerto Rican, Polish, Irish, Italian, African American. It was a vibrant community. Taking it all into consideration—its reputation as ‘dangerous,’ the crack epidemic, violence in the Housing Projects, and the methadone center where so many sad young people in the neighborhood ended up—Red Hook was sunlit and quiet.”
The friends recently reflected on their independent but parallel work and decided to compile Stories. McNeil is currently Director of Education at The Ann Frank Center, USA, where she will next read from Stories May 4th at 4 p.m. (38 Crosby St.). Neuhauser, who received her MFA from Pratt in ‘86, continues to teach and work in Seattle, Wash.
Although Neuhauser’s photographs are no longer on display as a group at Kentler International Drawing Space as they were in mid April, she has donated one of her photographs to the gallery’s sixth annual “100 Works on Paper” benefit. The 160-plus donated images will be on display in the Red Hook gallery until May 11, with an artists’ reception May 2. Ticket holders for the May 15 benefit evening will receive a number when they arrive at the event that determines in what order that person can choose one of the donated pieces to take home. Keep an eye on the gallery’s web site, as Kentler co-founder Florence Neal says there will be many upcoming shows. For news and ticket info visit www.KentlerGallery.org.
Makeville Studio creator and founder Robyn Mierzwa, who has a background in lighting design, has been setting up her Gowanus workshop space for the past several months. April 12 marked the first open house of the beautifully efficiently outfitted space. Mierzwa offers a host of classes, from how to build a custom LED light fixture or a Shaker oval box to how to mill rough lumber. Or, for those with DIY projects in mind, a three-hour certification course will teach all you need to know in order to safely utilize the available tools, of which there are many. Visit
www.Makeville.com for more information.
Councilwoman Sara M. Gonzalez was presented with a Public Service Award by the Brooklyn Chinese American Association (BAC) on April 18. She was acknowledged for her ongoing concern and dedication to various community issues affecting the Brooklyn Chinese community such as transportation, zoning, public safety and immigration. Paul Mak formed the BAC 20 years ago when he recognized the need for services for both the Chinese community and the revitalization of the neighborhood around and on Eighth Avenue. The organization also acknowledged their Board of Directors, staff and volunteers, and Daniel E. Holt, chairman of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, received the Economic Achievement Award.
Compiled by Caitlin McNamara
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