Belonging: The Long Island City Studio Collective, celebrates the power of solidarity between artists. By establishing a presence in NYC, the collective members gain access to a thriving arts community and the vast cultural opportunities of one of the world’s most influential artistic centers. Housed in a centuries-old former factory in Queens, the studio collective equips artists to strengthen their role within the larger art world by welcoming visits from gallerists, curators, and collectors. It serves not only as a workspace but also as a professional hub. 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.

Inspired by the resilience and ingenuity that arise from artistic kinship, this exhibition presents dynamic works reflecting a spectrum of creative visions, all bound by a spirit of camaraderie that provides fuel for an artist’s lifelong practice. An artist’s journey is uniquely unconventional, yet one constant may be the network of support formed through creative communities. Collectives have long served as both a remedy for isolation and a means of sharing resources. 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.