The Open Ground crew spiffing up the old salon.

For BOS, my friend and neighbor Jorge “Lolo” Rodríguez wanted to do a little more than just set up his art collective’s gallery in his small basement. This year, he contacted Select Real Estate, the owner of the grand old building next door to him at 108 Central to ask about renting the vacant storefront. To his surprise, Select generously donated the space to Open Ground for free for the week. And so the brief but bright second life of Nuevo Estilo Unisex begins.

Tell me about your organization: Open Ground is a social space dedicated to collaboration and community building, a site for connections and the free transfer of knowledge and experience. The participating artists value Open Ground as an opportunity to support each other and be open to new perspectives.

Open Ground’s first event was a music showcase in April 2000, and we continued to present new music to the public with two more events in 2001. The first gallery exhibition opened September 15, 2001, and over the years Open Ground has been the site of 28 visual art exhibitions, a performance event, a music benefit for the Williamsburg waterfront, 2 OpenSound events, 5 OpenForum events, a slide review, and a designers gallery: altogether exposing the activities of over 250 artists. Open Ground has been around for about 7 years. We used to have a gallery space in Williamsburg. Homeless now for about two years.

How long have you been in Bushwick?: I moved to Bushwick almost three years ago.

Why did you move to Bushwick?: By the time I was ready to buy a place in Williamsburg, I couldn’t afford it. So I checked out Bushwick.

What’s your favorite part of living in Bushwick?: It’s like the old Williamsburg. A smaller community of artists where people actually know and support each other.

This year, Open Ground is making space for 20 artists at Nuevo Estilo Unisex. Their opening party — with free drinks! — is tonight from 7-10pm.

Open Ground (BOS listing)
108 Central