Hurricane Sandy Devastates the New York Chelsea Arts District & Artist's Studios! + Sotheby’s Postpones Sale & Christies Offers Galleries Storage Space.

Nasa Photo of Hurricane Sandy approaching the New York City area
and the USA's north east Atlantic coast.

Greg of "jesseandgreg" took this picture
of Manhattan's East Village.

This week's arrival of Hurricane Sandy into the NYC area caused street level flooding which reached levels of 4 to 5 feet inside many art galleries. But the major loss was all of the art in basement level galleries and the street level galleries' basements, which are often used as art storage rooms. 

The Chelsea Arts District is also located in the blackout zone and all galleries there are currently without power. Gallery owners are suffering from severe and overwhelming shock and grief over ruined artworks and exhibition spaces. They are reading their insurance policies closely, to see if their coverage includes losses from flood and "An act of God."

Zach Feuer Gallery, flooded! 
(photo from the Zach Feuer Gallery facebook page)

In Brooklyn, Greenpoint, Dumbo, Red Hook and Gowanus, which are areas where many artists live and work, experienced serious flooding.

Areas of Brooklyn associated
with the NY art world.

Artist Rachel Beach’s studio in Greenpoint devastated by Sandy. 

(photos from her Facebook page) Rachel Beach website.

Auction Houses: To accommodate buyers coming into the city and to give the area a little more time to adjust to the problems leftover from the hurricane, Sotheby's auction house has postponed its NY Impressionist and Modern evening sale from Nov. 5 to Nov. 8. Christies is offering artists access to their electrical plugs for charging cell phones and laptop computers and galleries can call them to arrange for temporary art storage, if their gallery was affected.

For more photos, interviews with gallerists and more information, I have included a link to Bloomberg's story on this art tragedy.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-10-31/chelsea-art-epicenter-drowns-in-hurricane-s-floodwaters.html?utm_source=Hurricane+Announcement&utm_campaign=Post+Hurricane+update&utm_medium=email

Until later,
Jack

POSTSCRIPT:
A notice posted by Gagosian Gallery

Help: The American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC), says their AIC-CERT program (CERT stands for Collection Emergency Response Team) has a help number, (202) 661-8068, and email, info@conservation-us.org, to aid any institution, organization, collectors, or artists who were impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Their volunteers are trained in dealing with art-related disaster relief and they can act as a remote or onsite resource for those unsure on how to proceed.

“Resources for artists and galleries affected by Hurricane Sandy/ AIC-CERT”:

*****Do not throw damaged art away without first consulting a conservator!*****

Sources of assistance for artists and galleries:

Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF): www.craftemergency.org, 802-229-2306

New York Foundation for the Arts: www.nyfa.org

AIC’s Find a Conservator service: http://www.conservation-us.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageId=495

ArtsReady Useful Links: https://www.artsready.org/page/useful_links

See especially the links to funding for emergency relief.

Disaster response resources and salvage guides: 

AIC: http://www.conservation-us.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.viewPage&pageID=593 (www.conservation-us.org/disaster)

NCPTT, Wet Recovery resources: http://ncptt.nps.gov/wet-recovery/

Heritage Preservation: http://www.heritagepreservation.org/PROGRAMS/TASKFER.HTM

Connecting 2 Collections forum on disaster recovery: http://www.connectingtocollections.org/groups/c2c-disccussions/forum/topic/storm-damage-assistance#post-627

Manhattan's Sandy caused power outage, everything south of the Empire State Building.
Photo from Nishant Kaushik.

Do you want to help those affected by Sandy?

“Patients will still need blood despite the weather,” said Dr. Richard Benjamin, chief medical officer of the Red Cross, in a statement.  

To schedule a blood donation at a center near you or for more information about giving blood or platelets, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) takes donations to rescue and shelter animals affected by the storm. Nearly 300 animals are staying with their owners in shelters in the New York City area, the agency said.

The ASPCA is also setting up a distribution center in Syracuse, N.Y., with 4,000 sheltering units, which contain pet food, crates, food bowls, toys and anything else an animal may need.

The Salvation Army: You can donate $10 to the Salvation Army by texting “STORM” to 80888. If you are already volunteer-certified, you can sign up to help out with disaster relief.

AmeriCares: You can donate to AmeriCares’ relief fund to help the organization, which is distributing supplies to 130 clinics in the 13 states affected by Sandy.

New York City on cover NY Magazine.
(The City and The Storm)

ASSISTANCE OPTIONS 

Reprinted from the WQXR, NJ & NY Public Radio (classical music) website. 

Are you able to assist in storm cleanup? Volunteer your nursing skills? We're keeping an updated list of how people can help.

Across the City 

The American Red Cross is seeking volunteers 16 or older to work 12-hour shifts at local New York City shelters. Need to be able to carry 50 lbs. Go here for more info and application.

NYC Service is matching volunteers with opportunities to help. Visit their web site for more information. 

A spokeswoman for Food Bank for New York City says the group needs over 100 volunteers a day at its main headquarters, which includes a warehouse and kitchen. The group is also working to place volunteers in areas that need them, and collecting non-perishable food donations, such as cereal, canned fruits and vegetables, peanut butter and water, for distribution. They ask volunteers to register online.

The United Way of New York City is also looking for volunteers. You can fill out a Recover Volunteer Interest Form here.

Occupy Sandy has volunteer and donation sites listed by neighborhood. The main volunteer site is located at St. Jacobi Church (5406 4th Ave) in Sunset Park. A second site at the Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew   (520 Clinton Avenue, between Fulton & Atlantic) in Clinton Hill is also accepting volunteers and donations. 9am – 9pm

If you would like to help out with animal rescue and fostering, pet food donation or volunteering at animal shelters in NYC, visit the Mayor's Alliance for NYC Animals. The page also provides information for pet owners seeking aid. You can also use the Twitter hashtag #sandypets for updated information on where help is most needed.

BY BOROUGH:

BROOKLYN:

The organization 596 Acres is posting volunteer opportunities on its Facebook site.

Bedford-Stuyvesant

Freebrook Academy (375 Stuyvesant Ave. at Decatur St.) is accepting donations. Their drive goes until Monday, Nov. 5 at 3pm.

Residence - 136 Jefferson Ave, apt 2 11216

Fort Greene

Brooklyn Technical High School is looking for volunteers to help prepare and serve meals. They are also accepting donations of money and bagging clothing. 

Park Slope

Councilman Brad Lander says volunteers are needed at both the Park Slope Armory (8th Avenue between 14th and 15th streets) and John Jay High School (7th Avenue between 4th and 5th streets). He says you should be willing to put in a 6-8 hour shift. Kids cannot volunteer and should stay at home.

Park Slope Armory is an emergency shelter in need of volunteers and donations. In particular, they need overnight volunteers and donations of men's and women's clothing, sizes L, XL, XXL.

Red Hook

Red Hook Recovers is connecting volunteers and givers in the Brooklyn neighborhood.

The Red Hook Initiative is collecting toilet paper, water, candles, food, flashlights, cell phone chargers, batteries, paper towels, and paper for printers.

Here are details on The Red Hook Initiative's operations for the week of Nov. 5:

Volunteers
Please report to 402 Van Brunt Street
10am - 5pm

Hot Meals
Hot meals should be delivered to 767 Hicks Street
11am - 6pm
Please tell us if you plan to deliver hot food and at what time. We'd like to try to make sure we have enough and that we don't get too much knowing other communities need the same.
If you plan to bring a meal, send an email to food@rhicenter.org

Cleaning Supplies / Water Pumps/Generators
Please deliver to 402 Van Brunt Street
10am - 5pm

Canned Food/ Non-perishables / Flashlights/ Candles/ Blankets
Please deliver to 767 Hicks Street OR
Good Shepherd Services, 173 Conover Street OR
Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 98 Richards Street/ Verona Street
10am - 5pm

Williamsburg

House of Yes: 342 Maujer Street, contact: Kae Burke (585) 217-7209. Accepting donations of supplies, food, water, but not clothing, from 10am-10pm through Friday.

MANHATTAN:

Harlem: Volunteering and donation

Residence 47 St Nicholas Avenue, #4D between 112 and 113

938 St Nicholas Avenue, #25 corner of 157th and St Nicholas Avenue 

Lower East Side: 

Lower East Side Recovers is an effort to match volunteers and givers with people who have needs in the Lower East Side, coordinated by the folks at Occupy NYC and community organizations on the ground.

The Bowery Mission is accepting donations for the homeless at both locations. Volunteers should report only to the Bowery Street location. 45-51 Avenue D, (212)777-3424 and 227 Bowery (212) 674-3456.

Upper West Side: 

Brandeis High School on West 84th Street is in need of overnight volunteers.

Upper East Side:

Saloon NYC is accepting donations to the Rockaways and Broad Channel. Supplies and food (no clothing, please) dropped off there will be delivered to St. Francis des Sales church in Belle Harbor, NY. 1584 York Avenue, New York, NY 10028 (Between 83rd & 84th St) 212.570.5454

STATEN ISLAND:

Staten Island Recovers is connecting volunteers and givers in the borough and @SIrecovers

SI Live has a list of organizations and locations accepting monetary donations and goods.

To register to foster a displaced animal on Staten Island, register with Anarchy Animal Rescue.

QUEENS:

Astoria: Astoria Recovers is connecting volunteers and givers in the Queens neighborhood.

Breezy Point: Virginia's House of Hope is non-perishable foods, toiletries, diapers, clothing and clean-up supplies to people impacted by the disaster.

202-30 Rockaway Point Boulevard Breezy Point, Queens 11697

202-30 Rockaway Point Boulevard

Breezy Point, Queens  11697

Far Rockaway:

The Silver Gull Club is accepting donations to help Breezy Point. They are collecting batteries, flashlights, toiletries, water, food, blankets/bedding and other necessities. No clothing, please. 1 Beach 193rd Street (718) 634-1500

Occupy Sandy Relief has been collating drop-off locations, volunteer info and requests.

Drop-off location for goods like clothing, batteries food and water:

• Firehouse on 59th street across from the train station - contact person: Jean Dupont 917.975.5623
• Veggie Island - 96th Street and Rockaway Blvd.
• Store Front Community Center - B113 and Rockaway Beach Blvd.

Rockaway Recovery has instructions on how to aid in getting food and goods to Far Rockaway.

NYC Parks is looking for volunteers Friday, Saturday and Sunday to help aid in clean up and recovery, including Van Cortlandt Park and Orchard Beach in the Bronx,  Prospect Park and McCarren Park in Brooklyn, Happy Warrior Playground, Annunciation Park, Carl Schurz Park, Anne Loftus Playground and Randall's Island in Manhattan, and Brookville Park and Baisley Pond Park in Queens. You can follow@NYCParks on Twitter for updates on park cleanup needs.

Donate a Room: With the cancelation of the ING NYC Marathon, runners are being encouraged to donate their rooms to victims of Sandy seeking a room.

NEW JERSEY:

Community Food Bank of NJ is seeking food donations - call 908.355.3663 or visit the website to find out how and where to give.

Jersey Cares is coordinating volunteers with opportunities near them. Sherry Fazio, with NJ Cares, says the most important thing to do is register with their website to help in the coming weeks as projects look for help. If her family is any indication, she expects water, blankets and non-perishable food will be items requested in the days to come.

An emergency response hotline: 1-800-JERSEY-7 (1-800-537-7397) - they're looking for trained volunteers who are affiliated with an emergency response organization to volunteer their services. Gov. Chris Christie's office says the hotline is getting an overwhelming response, so another number to try is 609-218-0460.

LONG ISLAND:

The Long Island Volunteer Center is registering volunteers.

The Town of Oyster Bay is holding a clothing drive that continues until 5pm on Sunday. Donations can be brought to three locations: Marjorie R. Post Community Park, Syosset-Woodbury Community Park, and Oyster Bay Community Center.

WESTCHESTER:

Food Bank for Westchester is accepting donations of food to help area residents without power. Checkthe website for a detailed list.

The Volunteer Center is coordinating volunteer and relief efforts. The website also includes a list of places in Westchester accepting donations and help.

Federal Government:

The Federal Emergency Management Agency says the president's disaster declarations in parts of New York and New Jersey following Hurricane Sandy could free up loans and grants to homeowners and small businesses. Relief may also include unemployment and other payments, to residents who are not covered by insurance, or aren't already receiving benefits from their states. For more information, and to find out if they're eligible, residents can log on to disaster assistance.gov, or call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. on weekdays and weekends.

General volunteering:

Give Blood: The New York Blood Center says it was in need of blood even before the storm, but the storm has made the need greater. Five locations are currently open: in Midtownat 601 Lexington (the Citigroup building), in the Upper East Side on 67th Street between 1st and 2nd Ave, at the Elmsford Center in Westchester County, and the East Fishkill and Kingston Center, both located in the Hudson Valley.

In Northern New Jersey, the Community Blood Services in Paramus is the place to donate. Platelets also urgently needed.

Give Clothes: The shelter at FDR High School in Midwood is outfitting people who got stuck near the Gowanus Canal.

Give Service: People are being directed to sign up at NYCService for volunteer opportunities. Food Bank of New York is open and distributing food. It has also been in contact with agencies it supports to find out need. With the opening of the bridges and tunnels, it says it will be able to get trucks in, but recommends going to its website for how to help.

Food not bombs is looking for volunteers to help set up staging areas in the the city to help prepare meals on site. For more information, go here.

House the Displaced: The online service Airbnb is waiving fees on discounted Sandy listings. You can offer extra rooms in your home for those displaced by the storm on their website.

Follow the Hashtag: #sandyvolunteer has become the unofficial hashtag for those looking to volunteer and those looking for help.

Finding Family or Friends

With problems in the cellphone networks and the power outages, The Red Cross has set up a registry for people looking for friends and family or wanting to send a message to friends and family that they are safe.