Under the Bridge, Beyond the Gloss: DUMBO’s Art Scene Defies Its Gentrified Image

The article discusses the thriving art scene in DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass), Brooklyn, with a focus on the diversity and creativity of its galleries, studios, and exhibitions. Here are some key points:

1. **Cuban Art Space**: The Cuban Art Space is a cultural anchor in DUMBO, founded by journalist and activist Sandra Levinson in 1972. It is the only organization in the United States that can legally collect, exhibit, and sell Cuban art.
2. **Embargo loophole**: In the 1990s, the center challenged the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) over its classification of Cuban artworks as "goods" subject to embargo restrictions. The case set a legal precedent exempting art from trade sanctions, allowing it to continue importing and selling Cuban art.
3. **Exhibition highlights**: During the First Thursday art walk, exhibitions included works by iconic Cuban artists, such as paintings, posters, and photographs. Other studios and events were also taking place, including a group book launch and exhibition titled "Dreamscapes" at Lucky Risograph (20 Jay Street, Suite 217).
4. **Community-based initiatives**: DUMBO's art scene is characterized by community-based, nonprofit formats and artist-run initiatives that focus on the artists themselves, often before any market forms around them.
5. **Diversity and creativity**: The article highlights the diversity of exhibitions and events in DUMBO, including a show at Spring Projects featuring artists who intervened on an NYC subway map to capture the experience of urban life in perpetual flux.

Overall, the article showcases the vibrant art scene in DUMBO, with its unique history, cultural significance, and commitment to supporting local artists.

Man, I remember when DUMBO was still kinda rough around the edges . I mean, it's crazy how far it's come, right? The Cuban Art Space has been a staple in the neighborhood since '72 . Can you believe they actually challenged those government folks over here and managed to get that loophole open for art imports? Genius! And now, it's like the go-to spot for all things Cubano . I love how community-based initiatives are still at the forefront – it's not just about making a buck, it's about supporting local talent . And have you seen those exhibitions? So cool! I'm just glad to see Brooklyn is still keeping its creative spirit alive .

I'm loving how artsy DUMBO is becoming ! The Cuban Art Space has been a staple for ages, fighting for those beautiful pieces of art to be shown & sold in the States. It's wild that they challenged the gov't over this loophole back in the 90s... like who knew art could be so powerful? I mean, it's amazing how these community-based initiatives are all about giving a platform to the artists themselves - no middleman, just pure creativity & passion

lol what's up i saw this thread like 3 days ago but was stuck in traffic anyway so im gonna chime in... i think what's crazy about the Cuban Art Space is how they've been able to navigate all these trade restrictions and still keep creating and exhibiting art. that loophole they found all those years ago must be a major lifeline for them like, can you imagine having to shut down because of some stupid embargo? no thanks also love that the community is so focused on supporting local artists - it's not just about getting rich off your art, but actually helping others out and sharing their visions. that sounds super healthy to me

I think it's dope that Cuban Art Space is still going strong after all these years . The whole setup with the embargo loophole is mind-blowing – who knew art could be the key to breaking a trade embargo? It just goes to show how creative people can be when they need to be. And I'm loving the diversity of exhibitions in DUMBO, it's like they're speaking so many different languages and still managing to communicate through art

So I was walking around DUMBO last weekend and man I'm so stoked to see all this amazing art popping up everywhere! The Cuban Art Space is like a hub of creativity, bringing in this super cool Cuban art that's not always easy to get your hands on.

I love how it all started back in the 70s when Sandra Levinson founded it and challenged the US government over their embargo rules . It was like she said, "Art is art, let's not mess with it!"

And have you seen some of these exhibitions? Iconic Cuban artists like those paintings, posters, and photographs... wow! Lucky Risograph's "Dreamscapes" show looks so sick too!

I also appreciate how DUMBO is all about supporting local artists and community-based initiatives. It's not just about making art for the sake of it, but to give back to the community. That feels super authentic and heartwarming.

Anyway, if you ever find yourself in Brooklyn, make sure to check out DUMBO! There's some amazing art hidden beneath those Manhattan Bridge Overpass streets...

I'm obsessed with this Cuban Art Space in DUMBO! I mean, can you believe it's been around since 1972? It's like a piece of history right there under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass. The fact that they challenged the US Treasury Department and won is so cool - I feel like I'm learning something new today.

I love how community-based and nonprofit everything is in DUMBO, you know? It's all about supporting local artists and creators, which I think is amazing. And the diversity of exhibitions and events... wow! From paintings to posters to photographs, there's always something new to explore.

I'm also super intrigued by the idea that art can be used as a loophole to challenge trade sanctions - who knew? It just goes to show how art can bring people together and make a difference. Can't wait to check out some of these exhibitions and events for myself!

I'm loving how DUMBO's art scene is all about community & creativity . It's amazing that there's a space like the Cuban Art Space which has been around for ages, fighting for the right to showcase Cuban art in the US. And can you believe they even won a case against the government over it? That's some serious hustle! The diversity of exhibitions is also super inspiring - from paintings to posters to photographs, and even art interventions on NYC subway maps . What I love most about this scene is that it's all about supporting local artists & giving them a platform to share their work with the world . It's a real testament to the power of community-driven initiatives in making art scenes thrive

Wow I'm still blown away by the Cuban Art Space's determination to showcase Cuban art despite the US embargo! Interesting how a loophole in the law allowed them to keep creating and selling art, it's like music to my ears And can you believe they've been doing this since 1972? That's dedication

I just love how DUMBO's art scene is all about community and creativity! It's so cool that there's this one space, Cuban Art Space, that's been around since 1972 and is still going strong because of its mission to show the world what Cuban art has to offer. And can you believe it challenged the US government on trade sanctions in the 90s? That's some serious grit! The fact that they were able to bring in all these amazing artists from Cuba is just a testament to their dedication to sharing different perspectives and experiences. It feels like DUMBO's art scene is really living up to its name - it's all about bringing people together under the bridge, literally and figuratively!

Man... I'm tellin' ya, back in my day we didn't have all these fancy art spaces poppin' up everywhere. But it's awesome to see DUMBO gettin' the recognition it deserves for its thriving art scene . I mean, who would've thought that a Cuban Art Space would be the only one in the US allowed to show and sell Cuban art? Crazy, right? And can you believe that thing about the embargo loophole? That's like, totally mind-blowin'!

I love how it's all community-based and nonprofit, too. It's all about supportin' the artists themselves, rather than just makin' a quick buck. Gives me hope for the future of art, ya know? And that exhibition at Lucky Risograph with those subway maps... wow! What a dope idea .

It's great to see DUMBO bein' recognized for its diversity and creativity, too. We need more of that in this world, for sure . Anyway, I'm glad I get to see all the cool stuff goin' on over there... even if it is from afar .

I'm so glad they're still showcasing those amazing Cuban artworks in DUMBO I mean, can you imagine if we couldn't even support the arts of another country? It's like, we should be celebrating that kind of creativity and diversity, not restricting it And I love how this art space has been around for so long - 1972 is crazy! It's just proof that some things can bring people together, you know? Like, who cares about the politics when there's art to enjoy?

DUMBO's art scene is low-key amazing ! I mean, who knew that Cuban art was actually allowed to be sold in the US without all the drama? It's like a loophole or something . The Cuban Art Space has been doing it for ages and it's great to see it's still thriving. Those exhibitions sound so cool, I wish I could've seen them in person . What really gets me is that DUMBO's art scene is all about the artists themselves, not just some big corporate buyers . It's like a breath of fresh air for a art world that can sometimes be pretty commercialized. Kudos to everyone who's supporting local artists and making it happen in DUMBO #DUMBOartscene #CubanArt #SupportLocalArtists #NYCArtScene

OMG DUMBOs art scne is like whoa! They got this Cuban Art Space that's been around since 1972 & it's still goin strong! I mean, can u believe they challenged the gov't over the embargo loophole back in the 90s? It's wild to think about how art can be used as a way to break down barriers. The First Thursday art walk is like the epicenter of all things creative & it's awesome to see so many different styles & mediums represented.

I love that the art scne is community-based & focuses on supporting local artists, especially before any market hype gets in the way It's all about lifting each other up & celebrating diversity. The subway map show was a genius idea Can't wait to check out more of what DUMBO has to offer!

I'm so stoked for this Cuban Art Space thingy ! It's like, totally amazing that it's been around since 1972 and still going strong. I mean, can you even imagine having a space where they can show and sell all this gorgeous Cuban art without any restrictions? The way they challenged the US government to make a change is super inspiring too! It just goes to show that one person can make a difference when it comes to promoting art and culture. And the fact that DUMBO's got such a thriving community of artists and galleries is just awesome . I love how this space prioritizes showcasing local artists' work – it's like, totally giving them a platform to shine!

I'm intrigued by the Cuban Art Space's role as a bridge between cultures . The fact that it challenged the US government's embargo policies and managed to create a loophole for art to flourish is both a testament to Sandra Levinson's determination and a reflection of how creative minds can outsmart bureaucratic systems .

It also makes me think about the power of community-driven initiatives in shaping cultural identity . The emphasis on supporting local artists and community-based formats feels like a breath of fresh air, highlighting that true creativity thrives when we prioritize people over profit .

What strikes me most is how this small corner of Brooklyn's art scene has become such an integral part of the city's fabric . It's as if DUMBO's vibrant culture is a microcosm of New York City itself – diverse, dynamic, and always pushing boundaries .

[Image of a map with a red pin marking Brooklyn, New York]

[gif of a Cuban flag waving]

[Image of a person holding an artwork with a Cuban Art Space logo]

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[Image of a person surrounded by art supplies with a creative expression emoji]

[ gif of Sandra Levinson smiling ]

I'm not entirely convinced about this Cuban Art Space being the only org that can legally collect, exhibit, & sell Cuban art... seems like a pretty convenient loophole Anyone got a source on that? Also, how do we know those artworks weren't just imported or manufactured to skirt around the embargo? More info would be nice, pls.

I'm loving how DUMBO is all about embracing diversity in its art scene . The fact that they've got a Cuban Art Space that's been around since 1972 is just amazing - it's like a time capsule of creativity . And I gotta say, the way they're supporting local artists and community-based initiatives is really inspiring . It's not just about showing off fancy artwork; it's about celebrating the people behind the art .

And can we talk about how this whole embargo loophole thingy has been a game-changer for Cuban artists? I mean, who would've thought that art could be the way to break free from trade restrictions? It just goes to show that art has the power to bring people together and challenge the status quo.

Overall, DUMBO's art scene is like a breath of fresh air - it's all about innovation, creativity, and community . I'm definitely adding this to my bucket list: "Visit DUMBO for its thriving art scene"

I'm loving how this Cuban Art Space is like a bridge between Cuba and the US . It's crazy that they were able to challenge those old trade sanctions and get art allowed to flow again. I mean, can you imagine if it took another 20+ years for them to figure out a way around it? It just goes to show how innovative and forward-thinking they are. And the fact that they're hosting exhibitions with iconic Cuban artists... that's what I call culture . The community-based initiatives in DUMBO are also really inspiring - it's like, these artists aren't just trying to make a living off their art, but also using it as a way to connect and build each other up .