Two art galleries in Manhattan’s Tribeca neighborhood were affected when a fire broke out in a building on Wednesday night, January 22.
Just before midnight, the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) responded to a fire originating from the cellar of a seven-story mixed-use building at 45 White Street, where two contemporary art galleries are located. The Journal Gallery co-owner Michael Nevin said that while the fire did not reach the space, the gallery suffered damages from FDNY’s efforts to stop the blaze. Asya Geisberg Gallery in the building was reportedly also impacted. (Asya Geisberg has not yet responded to Hyperallergic’s requests for comment.)
According to an FDNY report shared with Hyperallergic, the fire was extinguished in approximately four hours. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries while responding to the blaze, the cause of which is currently under investigation.
Nevin told Hyperallergic that “there was damage to the space, but in terms of artwork, we are still assessing.”
Nevin said he first learned of the fire after receiving messages from acquaintances at around 8am this morning, January 23. He initially thought the messages were referring to his Los Angeles gallery space, which was unaffected by the recent devastating blazes.
“We were lucky,” Nevin told Hyperallergic. “It’s been this very strange start to the year.”
Nevin said it’s too early to know when the gallery will reopen, adding, “We look forward to being back in the space.”
