(GOWANUS, BROOKLYN) — On October 21, 2026, Art21’s Big Night of Shorts touched down at Powerhouse Arts in celebration of the creative ecosystems that mak contemporary art possible. The evening’s screening and reception welcomed over 200 artists, art workers, filmmakers, cinephiles, and neighbors to gather and experience our work on the big screen.
Bringing together films from multiple Art21 series, the program spanned generations, mediums, and methodologies, featuring Trey Abdella, Camille Henrot, Tishan Hsu, Arthur Jafa, Josh Kline, Precious Okoyomon, and Howardena Pindell. From painting and sculpture to gardenscapes and clothing, these artists’ practices build on longstanding techniques and challenge the status quo.
With several featured artists having made work at Powerhouse itself, the evening also celebrated the building’s own history as a living hub for creative experimentation.
The evening kicked off with warm introductory remarks by Art21 Susan Sollins Executive Director and Chief Curator Tina Kukielski, who paid tribute to the number of filmmakers and collaborators in attendance: “It takes a small village to make art accessible and I want to thank you for being our creative partners in this work.”
The program included the world premiere of “Tishan Hsu: Digital Flesh,” directed by Andrea Yu-Chieh Chung. Hsu reflected on his experience, saying, “Art21 has been letting artists tell their own stories for 25 years now. That kind of trust is rare, and it’s why people care so much about what they do.”
Artist Trey Abdella, who is featured in “Trey Abdella’s Miserable Dream” directed by Andrew Nadkarni, also acknowledged the special opportunity to watch the film with an audience: “Usually people just see the finished work in a gallery, so getting to show the actual thought process behind it is really exciting. Having this film screened live at Powerhouse Arts with Art21 makes the whole experience feel much more personal.”
In attendance were featured artists Trey Abdella, Tishan Hsu, and Josh Kline. Powerhouse Arts (PHA) VP of Curatorial and Arts Programs Liz Munsell and PHA Master Printer and Print Shop Director Luther Davis joined Art21 Susan Sollins Executive Director and Chief Curator Tina Kukielski and Art21 Associate Curator Jurrell Lewis for the occasion.
Guests also included Jim and Jane Cohan, Nicole Deller, Molly Epstein, David Pagliarulo, curators Drew Sawyer, Margot Norton, Daniel Palmer, and Prem Krishnamurthy, as well as filmmakers Ian Forster, Andrea Chung, Andrew Nadkarni, Haimy Assefa, César Martínez Barba, and Adam Golfer.
Thank you to the team at Powerhouse Arts for partnering with Art21 to celebrate the many modes of artistic production represented in these films.
Check out CULTURED Magazine’s coverage of the event.
About Art21
As the leading independent producer documenting the art of our time, Art21 was established with a mission to expand access to artists and their ideas, meet audiences where they are, and explore connections between artists and their communities. To date, Art21 has created 85+ hours of films documenting over 300 artists across six continents. For more information, visit Art21.org.
About Powerhouse Arts
Powerhouse Arts (PHA) is a not-for-profit organization committed to creative expression. Located in a purpose-built facility in Brooklyn, PHA convenes an extended network of art and fabrication professionals and educators who co-create and share artistic practices vital to the wellbeing of artists and the communities to which they belong.
PHA offers fabrication programs in Ceramics, Print, and Public Art; alongside membership opportunities in the Community Ceramics Studio and at MGC Community Print Studio, textile and decorative arts workshop The Alpha Workshops; and spaces for education, exhibitions, events, and public engagement. For more information, please visit powerhousearts.org or follow on Instagram at @powerhouse_arts.
