About
Judgy Baby opens its doors for a sneak preview during Gowanus Open Studios before launching fully in 2027. Located in the former Montauk Paint Co. building at 170 Second Avenue, Judgy Baby will showcase creatives on multiple floors for GOS, ranging from painter Michele Bonds to 10 year-old cardboard shipbuilder Arthur Cope, from textiles and drawings by Eliza Stamp to tree planting app design by Josh Sucher, from encounters with wooden sculpture conjured by KED Studio to a reclaimed tubular bell by Evan Yee, and more. Chico MacMurtrie’s Organic Machine, a massive full-floor installation in progress, anchors the offerings.
The 1908 brick building itself is a work of art, with multiple venues gradually materializing inside. Visitors will be treated to live music (hammer dulcimer, jazz quartet, fiddle, banjo, etc.) and the stimulating presence of The Gowanus Town Crier. As Brad Vogel, Director Special Projects, observed: “The building feels like a nebula with many dreams incubating right now. There’s a lot to take in for anyone who stops by.” An on-site branch of Principles, by Katie Bishop, is also planning a preview.
On View
Floor assignments are subject to change.
Cellar
- Rob Honpaintings
- KED Studiosculpture, sculpture assemblages
- Arthur Cope, age 10cardboard ships, video
- Eliza Stampstextiles and drawings
- Mardig Kachiansculpture
First Floor
- Chico MacMurtrieorganic machine, a full-floor installation in progress
- Sonjie Feliciano Solomontextiles, painting
- The Gowanus Town Crierambient, throughout the day
Second Floor
- FOB PRINCIPLES, Katie Bishopnew coffee shop, in preview
- Michele Bondspainting
- Josh Sucherapps, miniatures, custom technology
Third Floor
- Douglas Padgettpainting
- Elizabeth Meggspainting, sculpture
- Chase Taylorceramic sculpture
- Esteban Salazarglass
- Evan Yeemetalwork, sculpture, musical instrument
- KED Studiosculpture, sculpture assemblages
- Mardig Kachiansculpture
Live Music
- Sarah King QuartetSaturday and Sunday, Third Floor
- SWISSguitarSaturday, 12–2 pm, First Floor Loading Dock
- Arwen van StigtfiddleSaturday, 2–4 pm, First Floor Loading Dock
- Sander RandallguitarSaturday, 4–6 pm, First Floor Loading Dock
- Yahnohammer dulcimerSunday, 12–2 pm, First Floor Loading Dock
- Liz Rabson Schnoreguitar, banjoSunday, 2–4 pm, First Floor Loading Dock
- Tiv Hay-RubinbanjoSunday, 4–6 pm, First Floor Loading Dock
And more.
A brand new coffee shop inside Judgy Baby will also debut during Gowanus Open Studios:
FOB PRINCIPLES
princi @ judgy baby
The coffee shop, created by Katie Bishop of Principles GI Coffee House, will be unveiled for community members in preview format on the second floor of the new venue. Focused on specialty coffee service, FOB PRINCIPLES will extend and elevate Bishop’s commitment to an exploration of the finest coffees available on the market. The shop will exclusively sport new, top-of-the-line equipment; full service is expected to begin in 2027 with the formal opening of Judgy Baby in full. The existing location of Principles GI Coffee House will continue to operate at its current spot on 9th Street in Gowanus.
Nota Bene: FOB stands for both “forward operating base,” a nod to Bishop’s status as a military veteran and a continuation of her desire to uphold the legacy of GI coffee houses…and “friends of baby” given that the coffee shop is intended to serve as a nucleus of future creative collaboration and activity on site at Judgy Baby.