Brooklyn Army Terminal Transforms Into a Canvas for Local Artists
A former military installation along the Brooklyn waterfront has found a second life as one of New York City's most compelling cultural venues. Brooklyn Army Terminal, a sprawling industrial complex in Sunset Park, is now hosting In Plain Sight, a yearlong exhibition that turns its cavernous corridors and expansive spaces into a stage for ambitious, large-scale, site-specific art. The show opened on June 4, 2026, and marks a significant milestone for both the venue and the local creative community it serves.
What Is "In Plain Sight"?
In Plain Sight is not a conventional gallery exhibition. Rather than displaying art within white-walled rooms, this program invites artists to respond directly to the unique architecture and history of Brooklyn Army Terminal itself. The result is a collection of installations that feel inseparable from their environment — works that could not exist anywhere else in quite the same way.
The exhibition's title carries a layered meaning. Art placed "in plain sight" is simultaneously visible and overlooked, much like the Terminal itself — a massive, historically significant structure that millions of New Yorkers pass without fully registering. By embedding contemporary art into its framework, In Plain Sight challenges visitors to look again, to slow down, and to see a familiar space with fresh eyes.
The show is also a celebration of a major anniversary. It marks the 40th year since Brooklyn Army Terminal was repurposed from its original military function and began its transformation into the thriving industrial and creative hub it is today — a transition that mirrors Brooklyn's own broader reinvention over the past four decades.
A Brief History of Brooklyn Army Terminal
Built during World War I and completed in 1919, Brooklyn Army Terminal was designed by architect Cass Gilbert, the same visionary behind the Woolworth Building in Manhattan. At its peak during World War II, the Terminal served as the primary point of embarkation for U.S. troops heading overseas, processing hundreds of thousands of soldiers and millions of tons of military supplies. The complex comprises two enormous warehouses — Buildings A and B — connected by a series of skybridge walkways and featuring a dramatic interior atrium that remains one of New York City's most architecturally striking industrial spaces.
After the military decommissioned the site, the City of New York acquired it and began redeveloping it as a hub for manufacturing, industry, and small businesses. Today it houses hundreds of businesses, from food manufacturers to fashion designers, and has become a cornerstone of Sunset Park's economic and cultural identity. Its raw industrial aesthetic — exposed concrete, weathered steel, and soaring ceilings — makes it a natural draw for artists working at a monumental scale.
Local Artists Take Center Stage
One of the most meaningful aspects of In Plain Sight is its commitment to featuring local artists — creators who live and work in Brooklyn and who bring an intimate understanding of the borough's character, history, and contradictions to their work. In a city where rising costs and rapid gentrification have pushed many artists out of traditional creative neighborhoods, an exhibition of this scale that centers local talent sends a powerful and necessary message.
The site-specific nature of the installations means that each artist engaged deeply with the Terminal's physical and historical context. Working in spaces originally designed for the logistics of warfare and industry, these artists have introduced themes of memory, labor, community, visibility, and urban identity. The results are installations that feel both monumental and personal.
Large-scale art installations in industrial settings have become an increasingly important part of the contemporary art landscape in New York City, but few venues offer the architectural drama and historical weight of Brooklyn Army Terminal. The sheer scale of the building — its towering atria, sky-bridge connections, and miles of internal corridors — gives artists the freedom to work in ways that simply aren't possible in traditional gallery settings.
Why Site-Specific Art Matters
Site-specific art is defined by its relationship to place. Unlike portable artworks, site-specific installations are conceived for and shaped by the particular location in which they appear. This approach encourages a deeper conversation between the artwork, its environment, and the viewer. When the environment carries as much historical and architectural significance as Brooklyn Army Terminal, that conversation becomes extraordinarily rich.
- Visitors engage with history in a physical, embodied way rather than through text panels alone.
- Artists are challenged to think beyond the object and consider context, scale, and audience movement.
- The space itself becomes part of the artwork's meaning, making each visit unique.
- Local communities see their stories and surroundings reflected and elevated through creative practice.
For many visitors, encounters with site-specific work in unexpected locations spark a renewed curiosity about the places they thought they already knew. In Plain Sight uses this dynamic to invite both longtime Brooklynites and newcomers to experience the Terminal — and the borough itself — through a different lens.
How to Visit "In Plain Sight" at Brooklyn Army Terminal
Brooklyn Army Terminal is located at 140 58th Street in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, and is accessible by subway and bus. The In Plain Sight exhibition runs through the coming year, offering visitors multiple opportunities to return and experience the installations as they evolve alongside the building's day-to-day life. Admission and specific programming details are available through the Brooklyn Army Terminal's official channels, and guided programming may be available for schools, community groups, and curious visitors who want a deeper look at the works on view.
Whether you're a dedicated art enthusiast, a history buff fascinated by the Terminal's military past, or simply someone looking to discover a new side of Brooklyn, In Plain Sight offers a compelling reason to make your way to Sunset Park this year. As Brooklyn continues to evolve, exhibitions like this one serve as vital reminders of the creative energy that has always defined the borough — and of the artists who continue to find new ways to express it.