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Gowanus Canal Conservancy to move to Old American Can Factory

February 18, 2020 Editorial Staff

The Old American Can Factory at 232 3rd St. Photo courtesy Old American Can Factory

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The Old American Can Factory just announced its newest tenant. The Gowanus Canal Conservancy will set up its headquarters and host a suite of community programs out of the arts and cultural landmark at 232 Third St. in Gowanus.

Located on the ground floor in a former light-filled gallery spanning 1,500 square feet, GCC will use half the office space for eight full time staff and a number of seasonal educators, gardeners and apprentices throughout the year. The nonprofit will use the other half for events and meeting spaces to engage the community.

Using the can factory as a central location, GCC will continue to address neighborhood environmental issues, in particular a clean Gowanus Canal. GCC will host a slew of meetings and workshops, including trainings for Green Team apprentices and teachers, community design charettes, pop-up native plant sales and the annual Gowanus Blue student design challenge at the event space.

“In our new space with floor-to-ceiling windows on the ground floor, we have a direct connection to the public and have more opportunities to get the word out about the importance of sustainability and resiliency in our low-lying neighborhood, said Andrea Parker, Executive Director of the Gowanus Canal Conservancy. “The strength and character of Gowanus lies in its history of productive urban ecology, from oysters to tide mills to industry. We’re thrilled to be joining such an important landmark for the Gowanus community and be part of a community that is carrying on this tradition of making in Gowanus.”

The Old American Can Factory was established in Gowanus in the late 19th century to manufacture tin cans. Since then, it’s turned into a modernized artist studio space with over 300 creative tenants that vary from publishers, to architects, to silk screeners, to documentarists, to activists of all kinds.