Brooklyn Navy Yard’s Dock 72 buzzed with excitement as members and friends of the Pratt community recently gathered to celebrate the opening of new facilities for Pratt Institute’s Fine Arts and Photography MFA programs. The beautiful new space offers 100 art studios, seminar and critique spaces, galleries, a computer lab, fabrication shops, Performance Lab, and sweeping views of both Brooklyn and Manhattan—all on the edge of Pratt’s Brooklyn campus. A small preview celebration on October 29 preceded the programs’ Open Studios the following weekend, which welcomed the public to meet the artists, learn about their work, and explore the space.
The move to Dock 72 was announced in January and marks an important milestone for the School of Art. The new location places the programs in the midst of bustling industry and manufacturing, among a vibrant creative community of working artists and professionals based in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The historic shipyard is now a dynamic hub for technology, design, manufacturing, and interdisciplinary innovation in New York. Among these neighbors is Pratt’s Research Yard, which opened in 2023.
President Frances Bronet led a toast at the preview event, acknowledging the beauty of the waterfront views and thanking everyone involved in launching the space. She also spoke about the benefit of being located in the Navy Yard, amongst other creators, manufacturers, and businesses. “Imagine the reciprocal inspiration: Artists examining the tools and techniques that they bring to the table plus the tools and techniques of the manufacturers,” she said. “The entire sky as its limit. And all can begin in the foundation of art.”
School of Art Dean Jorge Oliver also thanked the many people involved in making the space possible, and echoed the value of the Navy Yard as a creative hub. “As we acclimate to the space, explore the area, and meet our neighbors, our sense of place is only growing,” he said. “We appreciate the proximity not only to the rest of our campus, but also to an array of groundbreaking businesses and partners.”
Attendees at the preview celebration included local leaders such as New York State Senator Jabari Brisport and neighborhood partners, like BRIC President Wes Jackson.
The ample studio spaces brimmed with a variety of finished and in-progress work by Pratt’s talented artists. MFA students showed enthusiasm for the new facilities, which span the entire third floor—over 62,000 square feet—of the building. “Having this view being part of my process is such a blessing,” said Eliza Gooding, MFA Fine Arts (Sculpture) ’25, whose new studio space looks out over the sparkling East River toward Manhattan. “This space genuinely inspires me.”
Qudir Ayodele, MFA Fine Arts (Painting) ’26, echoed that statement. “I feel incredibly fortunate to work in Pratt’s new studios every day,” he said. “The expansive space has inspired me to upscale my work, providing the room and freedom for creative growth and exploration.”
Ming Jin, MFA Photography ’25, also spoke about the inspiring nature of the studios. “This place helps me envision where my work will be in the future,” she said.
Take a look at more photos of the new Dock 72 space and the MFA Open Studios below.
