Long Island City’s Flux Factory is asking for help to replace its front window after someone damaged it by throwing a wrench at the glass.
Employees at the 23-year-old art space, located at 39-31 29th St., discovered a large hole in the window on Feb. 12. Public Relations Director Stephanie Griffin said an employee heard the window break at 11 a.m. that day.
It is now boarded up by cardboard and plastic. While police are currently investigating the incident, the organization said in an email to supporters that it is looking for help to replace the window as soon as possible.
“Unfortunately that coldest day of the winter left our artists-in-residence without proper protection from the elements, not to mention ill at ease,” the email read. “While we’re investigating with the police, we can’t keep our facade boarded up for much longer.”
The group will need $800 to replace the existing window with safety glass, but their ultimate goal is to raise $4,000 to replace the window with double-pane glass to keep the space warm and keep their heating bills low. Griffin said the organization’s income is all grant-based and has already been budgeted.
The group has been planning to replace the window but not this soon.
“To be frank, ever since we signed our lease extension through 2021, we’ve been warily eyeing our drafty loft-style windows which could be updated to improve insulation and lower heat costs,” the email continued. “If we can raise the extra money in the next week, artists for the next 5 years will be served through lower cost and better accommodations.”
Griffin said several people have already donated.
“It’s really amazing that people would keep us in their thoughts,” she said.
People interested in donating to the cause can donate through the organization’s website here.
In 1993, seven artists pooled their money to rent out a part of a spice factory in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The group was known as Flux Factory and became an official nonprofit in 1999, according to its website. In 2002, the artists were forced to move to Long Island City due to rising rents and again in 2002 to their current location at the Alfred Mainzer Greeting Card Factory. They recently signed a five-year lease extension.
The organization hosts between 30 and 35 artists in residence per year including exhibitions, concerts, potlucks and panels.
