The Williamsburg Art & Historical Center is a multicultural, multidisciplinary arts center in Williamsburg (Brooklyn, New York), founded in 1996 by Yuko Nii.
From the outside, it may resemble an antique shop, but the center is housed in a historic building — a French Second Empire–style architectural masterpiece built in 1867.
History
The Williamsburg Art & Historical Center was founded by artist Yuko Nii in 1996, when she purchased the former Kings County Savings Bank building.
The institution’s mission is based on what Yuko calls the “Bridge Concept.” She aimed to bring together artists of all kinds — local and international, emerging and established — using art as a universal language.
In 2008, Yuko Nii established the Yuko Nii Foundation, dedicated to preserving both the building and the center’s growing collections.
Over the years, the WAH Center has hosted more than 200 art exhibitions and over 150 programs, including musical performances, theater productions, poetry readings, and more.
Architecture
The building that houses the Williamsburg Art & Historical Center is designed in the French Second Empire style.
Its exterior is clad in light stone and decorated with ornate stucco work, giving it a balance of grandeur and elegance. The characteristic mansard roof is covered with slate and features projecting dormer windows framed with arch-like details.
Inside, many historic elements have been preserved: high ceilings, original marble floors, wooden paneling, vaulted niches, and wrought-iron stair railings. These features reflect the building’s past as a bank and create an atmospheric setting for exhibitions.
Collection and Exhibitions
The center’s collection includes works by notable artists such as Ilya Bolotowsky, Judy Chicago, Yayoi Kusama, Faith Ringgold, and many other talented local and international creators.
WAH Center hosts regular exhibitions, musical and theatrical performances, poetry readings, lectures, and symposiums. It also runs the WAH Salon Art Club, a membership program that allows artists to take part in an annual showcase.
Another ongoing initiative is the Synchronized Performance Series, which brings together literature and music — for example, the performance show “Rising Canon”.
Visitor Information
Website: www.wahcenter.net
Address: 135 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Admission: $10
