Life Inside a Singular Artists' Enclave in Brooklyn - “The Candy Factory”

The Candy Factory

I watched a short film by The New Yorker about a group of artists living in an old Brooklyn candy factory. The building was owned by Ann Ballentine, who supported the artists there for over forty years. She was more than a landlord. She helped create a close and creative community.

The film shows how powerful it is when artists have space, support and trust. It made me reflect on my own work and how much can grow when people create together, not just side by side.

Ann passed away in 2023 and the building was sold to developers in early 2025. The Candy Factory was a rare example of what happens when someone chooses people and art over profit. Her legacy is a reminder of how much difference one person can make.

New Yorker Text

Cory Jacobs and Jason Schmidt’s documentary short follows a creative community held together by collaboration and the efforts of a woman who is part landlady, part fairy godmother.