One of the bright, large spaces available for the Trinity Project in the long-neglected Hagerty Hall. Photo by Flora Rocco, courtesy of the Trinity Project

Last year, Monica Salazar and her merry band of artists set about to revive an East Williamsburg Catholic church and its adjacent properties overlooked even by its own Diocese.

Salazar’s plan, called The Trinity Project, was to have artists rent low-cost studio space in a former teaching faculty residence on Meserole Street owned by the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens, next to Most Holy Trinity Church. In exchange, the artists would teach arts classes at the church’s religious school and volunteer for special events.

So far, 23 visual artists rent space in the Meserole Street school building, paying about $75 per month for dues to cover utilities.

The group’s Facebook page has over 400 members and its waiting list has another 30 hoping to join the Montrose Initiative for the Arts visual arts program.

Artists work with the church’s K-8th grade children, leading classes on drawing, painting, dance, theater, and even filmmaking.

This past month, several musical groups performed at the school’s Christmas Party and another cohort volunteered at a birthday party for Tia, a 100-year-old parishioner.

But Salazar wants to raise some capital to make the Trinity Project more stable by signing a long-term lease with the Diocese for the Meserole Street building.

"We’re talking with the Diocese to get a long-term lease but we need some money to stay there," said Salazar. "$200,000 would take care of us for a little while."

She has applied to the Pepsi Refresh Project, which will award $250,000 to a grassroots group that will have a "positive impact in its community."

"If we win, we could secure our lease and continue growing our programs (free arts education for 260 kiddies) while securing studio and rehearsal space for 50-plus artists and be able to throw more shows in the empty St. Mary’s Church on Leonard and Maujer," said Salazar.

Another avenue could be to secure financing from the state or through a City Council capital or expense budget item, which have funded playgrounds, school laboratories, skate parks, and senior homes.

Until then, the Trinity Project preaches on, looking for a champion, but creating much with what little it has.