Student-Run Art Store on Pratt Institute Campus Being Phased Out

A popular student-run art store on the Pratt Institute campus in Clinton Hill is being phased out. NY1's Natalie Duddridge filed the following report.

The students of Pratt Institute come to Turn Up Art with a need. Many times, they leave with a new idea.

"Every single time, I leave here with something I didn’t come in looking for," said student Ava Welling. "And I think that’s awesome, because it opens you up to new materials and new uses for everything."

Students also love the convenience. Turn Up Art is located on Pratt’s campus in Brooklyn’s Clinton Hill neighborhood. It's run by former students.

Since August, the shop has sold hundreds of recycled supplies at a discounted price.

"This is a resource for them to prototype things at a much cheaper cost," said Gunner Tierno, founder of Turn Up Art. "So they can experiment with supplies that they maybe can’t afford, and they could also find a lot of things that they never thought they needed here."

"Pratt’s an expensive place to attend, and so to have an alternative outlet to be able to get these folks supplies and afford them is a really incredible opportunity," said Eli Todd, a former Pratt Institute student.

But it's an opportunity that could be short-lived. A Pratt spokesperson says the group's space is temporary, and it needs to close by October 15.

"I'm just really upset about it. I don’t want it to happen because the store has helped me out so much already," said student Matthew Clarke. "I just can’t imagine like a Pratt campus without Turn Up Art."

A school spokesperson says a permanent space is not possible because of an existing contract with another art supply company, adding, "We wish the alumni founders of Turn Up Art all the best. We look forward to hearing about their future success. Pratt recognizes the need to reduce waste by recycling abandoned supplies and values the service that Turn Up Art provided to the campus community."

TurnUpArt remains hopeful that with enough student support through a growing online petition that Pratt will change its stance.

"Please reconsider, because this is something special that we as the students of Pratt should be proud of," said student Gordon Gao.

"We’re facing the struggle right now," Tierno said. "I think it’s going to work out with the power of the students. Their voices are being heard.”

We will keep you posted.