17 Frost Gallery

In the heart of Williamsburg, nestled among ritzy condos, sits 17 Frost Gallery. What was once a desolate area in 2008, near an abandoned chocolate factory and the 1880s Abbey Engine Company, became a haven for artists. 17 Frost Gallery wasn’t just a building. It was a breathing, evolving testament to the power of community and collaboration. Founded in 2008 by childhood friends Steven Pacia, a neurologist with a bohemian spirit, and Javier Hernandez-Miyares, a musician and creative director, 17 Frost Gallery quickly became a hub for artistic expression. This wasn’t your typical white-walled gallery. It was a “shared sanctuary”, a place where artists from all walks of life could converge, create, and connect. From the renowned pop artist Jim Dine to actor Michael Shannon’s band Corporal, 17 Frost Gallery embraced all forms of art. The gallery’s first exhibition is a testament to this collaborative spirit. Javier, while walking under the BQE, spotted some striking street art. He posted a photo on Flickr, and the artist, Aakash Nihalani, reached out. This chance encounter led to 17 Frost Gallery’s inaugural show, a group exhibition featuring Nihalani and the “Neo-Con Collective”. This collective, which included Ellis Gallagher and Poster Boy, specialized in temporary art forms. Nihalani used gaffer tape to create 3D illusions, Gallagher outlined shadows with chalk, and Poster Boy transformed subway ads with a razor blade. Their work became ingrained in the very essence of 17 Frost Gallery, with some of Poster Boy’s creations still visible today. The gallery was also known for its “Family Night”, or “sticker night”, the brainchild of curator Ellis Gallagher. Every week, artists gathered to create, collaborate, and share their work in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. It was a modern-day “Love-in”, open to everyone and designed to demystify the art world. Many young artists who attended these nights went on to become established figures in the art scene. 17 Frost Gallery was more than a gallery. It was a catalyst for connection, a space where different worlds collided and sparked new forms of artistic expression. One such example is the “Scrawls on the Walls” exhibition, which showcased quotations found on bathroom stalls alongside interpretive dance and acrobatics. This “curated chaos” became a hallmark of 17 Frost Gallery. The gallery’s anything-goes attitude sometimes led to controversy, such as the Biden vs. Trump “death match” on election night 2020, which garnered attention from the New York Post. Even amidst controversy, the 17 Frost Gallery community remained resilient, rallying together to support each other. Although 17 Frost Gallery held its final exhibition in December 2023, its spirit lives on. Its legacy is etched into the “DNA of the next generation of New York City art”. It serves as a reminder that art thrives in spaces where community, collaboration, and a little bit of chaos are embraced.