Many Bronxites and artists have been talking about the new arts organization, BxArts Factory, since we made the announcement last month on the inception of the this endeavor. Now, today, in anticipation of their launch party tonight at the Bronx Museum, they’ve revealed to Welcome2TheBronx their location.
The BxArts Factory will be located in the nationally landmarked Brook Avenue Gardens building on 148th Street and Brook Avenue in Mott Haven at the border of Melrose.
“We are thrilled to have a place in the Melrose-Mott Haven area. This is a very diverse community with an immense need of arts programs and already filled with many artists. It’s a great opportunity to help bring everyone together to empower society through art”, said Laura Alvarez Vice-President and COO of the BxArts Factory as well as a founding member.
The organization will occupy approximately 2,500 square feet of space in the cellar of the building, otherwise known to local residents and its tenants, as the ‘Casket Building’ as the edifice was once a casket-making factory during its last incarnation. BxArts Factory is still under negotiations with the building’s landlord on the terms of the lease, however, the organization is happy to say that this will be their new home.
Located behind the Opera House Hotel and just 2 blocks from the 3rd Avenue and 149th Street subway station on the 2/5 express trains gives the BxArts Factory access to the millions that pass through the area not to mention that The Hub has over 200,000 pedestrians making it the busiest intersection outside of Times Square.
Melrose, Mott Haven and the immediate area are already brimming with arts-based organization and the BxArts Factory will be yet another welcomed organization. Within a 20 minute walking radius you have the Bronx Documentary Center, Longwood Gallery of the Arts, Pregones Theatre, BronxArtSpace, The Bronx Museum, and the Andrew Freedman Home, WallworksNY, and not to mention, the future home of the Bronx Music Heritage Center which will begin construction in Melrose on 161st this year.
Yolanda Rodriguez, President, CEO, and founder of BxArts Factory said, “The Bronx has been my home since 1997. I love the Bronx and I love the people that make it so unique. I am thrilled to be able to bring our organization to the Melrose-Mott Haven area. I remember visiting the area local businesses often with my aunt when I first moved here.”
“I am honored and humbled to be able to serve the community that I hold so dear to my heart. I am happy to be able to follow in the footsteps of so many other amazing organization that have worked tenuously to make arts and culture an integral part of our Bronx community!” added Rodriguez.
