A recent fire in Long Island City has prompted two artists to urgently salvage their extensive collections of artwork. The incident occurred on June 8 at the artist-in-residence loft located at 10-15 48th Avenue, leaving Linda Ganjian and sculptor Ilan Averbach grappling with the aftermath.
Ganjian, known for her intricate table-top sculptures that merge West African and American craft traditions, spent the day assessing damage to her two decades' worth of sculptures and mixed-media pieces. Many of her works were stored in cardboard crates within her studio. While she reported no visible smoke damage, her concern lies with potential mold growth due to her inability to access the works after the fire.
"Some pieces were affected by water, but overall, most are fine," Ganjian shared. "I did lose a collage, and a few others have some fixable water damage."
The fire, classified as a three-alarm blaze, was reported at 8:46 am, with firefighters managing to control the flames within two hours. Three firefighters were hospitalized due to injuries sustained during the operation, but fortunately, there were no civilian injuries. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, as confirmed by FDNY officials.
Building inspectors discovered significant damage, including exposed ceilings and missing windows, leading to a complete vacate order for the property. The owner has been instructed to install a sidewalk shed for safety, and coordination with tenants is underway to allow them to retrieve their belongings once the building is deemed safe.
In the meantime, Ganjian is actively seeking new studio and storage options, having reached out through her social media for assistance. "The most challenging aspect is the urgent need to vacate and find a new space for everything," she explained. "It's likely that a gut renovation will be required due to mold, leaving the timeline for our return uncertain."
This incident follows a significant fire less than a year ago that impacted another iconic artist building in Brooklyn, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by creative communities in preserving their work and spaces.