1973. Three women who belong to a group named the Flaming Aprons placed an ad on a billboard, sending a call out to women artists who were interested in meeting and discussing the difficulties related to exhibiting their work in a professional context. And this was how Powerhouse was born. The gallery was located on the 2nd floor at 1210 Greene Avenue in a 4 1/2 comprise of two exhibition rooms.
The founding members are: Elizabeth Bertoldi, Leslie Busch, Isobel Dowler-Gow, Margaret Griffin, Clara Gutshe, Billie-Joe Mericle, Stasje Plantenga and Pat Walsh.

During the first eight months of operation the gallery ran thanks to the support of members, exhibiting artists as well as women who were interested in supporting its activities. The very first show was presented between May 20th and June 21st 1973. It was only one year later, on May 24th 1974, that the gallery was incorporated under the name of Galerie et atelier la Centrale Électrique / Powerhouse Gallery & Studio. Since then, the centre has moved many times, and most recently this summer, with for the very first time: a storefront window on the main! We are now presenting this new space, in celebration of our thirty years of programming, in celebration of our dear members and artists who animate our activities, with a big dream of making contemporary art by women more accessible to our precious public!