Founded in 2021 by Kurt Lightner and Laura Sanders, the collective emerged from a shared ambition to create a dedicated space beyond the artists’ home bases to cultivate new opportunities for increased visibility and career growth. With members hailing from diverse geographical regions, the studio fosters connections that extend beyond local communities, expanding the members' cultural networks.

With the establishment of The Long Island City Studio Collective, these artist allies have nurtured a space for collaboration, resource-sharing, and mutual encouragement, where they can belong to the conversation within a vibrant, global art scene.