Johnny Thornton: A voice for Gowanus artists

Arts Gowanus is a not-for-profit organization working to support hundreds of local artists. Last October they hosted the 25th annual Gowanus Open Studios, which invites the public into galleries and studios for a weekend of browsing. This month they are co-presenting “Brooklyn Utopias: Along the Canal” which explores what a “utopia” in Gowanus would look like—not a purely academic exercise considering that the neighborhood is undergoing a massive and not uncontroversial rezoning that along the shores of the Gowanus Canal. Thornton joins us to discuss advocating for the artistic community there, his own art and growing up in apartheid South Africa before moving to the States.   Brooklyn news and views you can use: bkmag.com  Email: [email protected]  Follow along on Facebook: Brooklyn Magazine  Twitter: @brooklynmag  Instagram: @brooklynmagazine  Follow Brian Braiker on Twitter: @slarkpope