it's sunset, on the CONEY ISLAND - in more ways, than - just, early evening. a "controversial developer", has bought up 11 of the 15 acres in the seashore amusement district and is seeking zoning changes to allow a $1.5 billion Vegas-style entertainment complex. ... and the STEVE POWERS - CONEY ISLAND, BROOKLYN - studio outpost/sign shop - which he called: DREAMLAND ARTIST CLUBHOUSE - is nearing its last days, as well. Steve Powers studio visit,
Sept 29, 2007

the email came in like this: "after 3 really amazing years, we are closing the Dreamland Artist Clubhouse on Surf Ave in Still Beautiful Coney Island on SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 29th 2007. ... besides great clients, working in Coney has had amazing benefits; they know us at Totonnons Pizza and the Wonder Wheel, and SPO has the #3 score on the Monopoly pinball machine at Faber's Fascination. Still, we've been Sugar Mountaineers long enough, its time to go home, back to where we came from, that little island called Manhattan."

believe that 'BUMP YOUR ASS OFF' sign, above, as well as the ELDORADO sign, at right - are STEVE POWERS productions. The DREAMLAND ARTIST CLUBHOUSE - actually, a narrow storefront, is just coming up, to the left of DENNY'S. Steve Powers studio visit,
Sept 29, 2007

DREAMLAND ARTIST CLUBHOUSE, on SURF AVE, in CONEY ISLAND, one block before the boardwalk begins along the beach - a United States Army Recruiting Center on one side, a 'tourist trap' CONEY ISLAND THEN & NOW 'MUSEUM', FORTUNE TELLER, and a DENNY's on the other. you can see the landmark Wonder Wheel on the left. Steve Powers studio visit,
Sept 29, 2007

the storefront's banner went up, JUNE 18, 2005 - outsourced to a local crew - the usual cast of non-English speaking laborers - it inadvertently caught a New York flavor - there are misspelled signs all over the place. guess Steve decided to go-with-the-irony, and keep it. Steve Powers studio visit,
Sept 29, 2007

see more pix from the CONEY ISLAND summer of 2005: here !!

'OUR SIGNS SUM IT UP - YOU HAVE ONE NEW MESSAGE',
Steve Powers studio visit,
Sept 29, 2007

one of STEVE'S best mottos !! - its the imprint on the T SHIRT in-the-package in the previous photo. Steve Powers studio visit,
Sept 29, 2007

the first look inside - DREAMLAND ARTIST CLUBHOUSE, CONEY ISLAND,
Steve Powers studio visit,
Sept 29, 2007

there are signs, and artwork, everywhere, even on the ceiling. Steve Powers studio visit, Sept 29, 2007

. . and on the floor. DREAMLAND ARTIST CLUBHOUSE, Steve Powers studio visit, Sept 29, 2007

the red, white and blue colors found in some of the work.. DREAMLAND ARTIST CLUBHOUSE, CONEY ISLAND, Steve Powers studio visit, Sept 29, 2007

'Please let me hold some cash/just as security is all', enamel paint on aluminum, Steve Powers' medium of first choice. Steve Powers studio visit, Sept 29, 2007

work-in-progress, Steve Powers studio visit,
Sept 29, 2007

visual notes on another work-on-progress - destined for the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts - where a STEVE POWERS show, titled: 'THE MAGIC WORD', will run OCTOBER 20, 2007 - JANUARY 27, 2008. Steve Powers studio visit Sept 29, 2007

'RAISE ME and I'll RAISE YOU', enamel on aluminum. Steve Powers studio visit,
Sept 29, 2007

'SOUL FOOD TAQUERIA/TOMMY GUERRERO', enamel on aluminum, Steve Powers studio visit,
Sept 29, 2007

'OUR SIGNS COME COMPLETE WITH GRAMMATICAL ERRORS', enamel on aluminum, Steve Powers studio visit,
Sept 29, 2007

STEVE POWERS emerges from the back room. DREAMLAND ARTIST CLUBHOUSE, CONEY ISLAND - closing party, Steve Powers studio visit Sept 29, 2007

'I'LL PAY YOU', Steve Powers studio visit, Sept 29, 2007

a working wall, Steve Powers studio visit, Sept 29, 2007

'EARL IS TODAYS VICTIM', DREAMLAND ARTIST CLUBHOUSE, CONEY ISLAND, Steve Powers studio visit,
Sept 29, 2007

black and white artwork, on a work table. Steve Powers studio visit,
Sept 29, 2007

a corner of the space, DREAMLAND ARTIST CLUBHOUSE, CONEY ISLAND, Steve Powers studio visit, Sept 29, 2007

a closer look, 'HAPPY ASLEEP/TIRED BORED', Steve Powers studio visit,
Sept 29, 2007

off in a corner, 'Pretty Legit SIGNS/Classic TATOOS', Steve Powers studio visit,
Sept 29, 2007

'BUMRUSH 8', Steve Powers studio visit,
Sept 29, 2007

shopping cart, 'BUMRUSH 8' on this side, too. Steve Powers studio visit,
Sept 29, 2007

a work table, DREAMLAND ARTIST CLUBHOUSE, CONEY ISLAND, Steve Powers studio visit, Sept 29, 2007

work/storage area, Steve Powers studio visit, Sept 29, 2007

. . scraps of thoughts, and lettering samples, cover ALL surfaces. Steve Powers studio visit, Sept 29, 2007

in the work area, DREAMLAND ARTIST CLUBHOUSE, CONEY ISLAND, Steve Powers studio visit, Sept 29, 2007

a work table, Steve Powers studio visit, Sept 29, 2007

paper cups full of enamel paint, Steve Powers studio visit, Sept 29, 2007

. . . inspiration, Steve Powers studio visit, Sept 29, 2007

photo clipping, New York's Finest - outside the DREAMLAND clubhouse. Steve Powers studio visit, Sept 29, 2007

LA LA LOHAN scores a perch. Steve Powers studio visit, Sept 29, 2007 - who says artists don't follow the news !!!

Mischa is in there too, and she hasn't even been busted for DUI, yet !! DREAMLAND ARTIST CLUBHOUSE, CONEY ISLAND, Steve Powers studio visit, Sept 29, 3007

STEVE POWERS, DREAMLAND ARTIST CLUBHOUSE closing party. Steve Powers studio visit Sept 29, 2007

taking a final stand, DREAMLAND ARTIST CLUBHOUSE, CONEY ISLAND, Steve Powers studio visit,
Sept 29, 2007

the DREAMLAND motto: 'FAST NICKEL BETTER THAN SLOW DIME', Steve Powers studio visit,
Sept 29, 2007

the DREAMLAND mission statement: 'I GOT PEOPLE TO DO', Steve Powers studio visit,
Sept 29, 2007

gotta love that bird. Steve Powers studio visit, Sept 29, 2007

his sign says: 'HOLLER BACK', Steve Powers studio visit,
Sept 29, 2007

'HOLLER BACK', enamel on aluminum, DREAMLAND ARTIST CLUBHOUSE, CONEY ISLAND, Steve Powers studio visit,
Sept 29, 2007

if HOMER SIMPSON was a duck, he'd look like that.

give-away decals, DREAMLAND ARTIST CLUBHOUSE, CONEY ISLAND, Steve Powers studio visit, Sept 29, 2007

we got to go back - one last time - the windows were papered over. DREAMLAND ARTIST CLUBHOUSE, CONEY ISLAND, Steve Powers studio visit, Oct 13, 2007

we caught Steve just before he was about to start painting. He was finishing works for the Pennsylvania Academy show. Steve Powers studio visit,
Oct 13, 2007

Steve is wearing the - 'ASS, CASH OR GAS - NO ONE RIDES FOR FREE', T-SHIRT - one of his most memorable phrases. DREAMLAND ARTIST CLUBHOUSE, CONEY ISLAND, Steve Powers studio visit,
Oct 13, 2007

a painting, enamel on aluminum, destined or the Pennsylvania Academy. last days, DREAMLAND ARTIST CLUBHOUSE, CONEY ISLAND,
Oct 13, 2007

you can see a few more images from the STEVE POWERS SHOW - 'THE MAGIC WORD', at the PENNSYLVANIA ACADEMY of the FINE ARTS, OCTOBER 20, 2007 - JANUARY 27, 2008: here !!!

'TABLE FOR ONE PLEASE', also going to the Pennsylvania Academy. DREAMLAND ARTIST CLUBHOUSE, CONEY ISLAND, Steve Powers studio visit, Oct 13, 2007

"PROVENANCE IS EVERYTHING" - STEVE POWERS. last day, DREAMLAND ARTIST CLUBHOUSE, CONEY ISLAND, Steve Powers studio visit, Oct 13, 2007