Chelsea landmark Westbeth has provided affordable Manhattan housing to artists since 1970, and is now home to scores of emerging and well-established painters, photographers, sculptors, musicians, choreographers and more. The immense basement storage housed innumerable artworks from its residents, which were submerged in water after the space was flooded during Hurricane Sandy.  The inability to access the basement for several days all but quashed hopes of recovering many works, but once access was granted the efforts of several residents and volunteers resulted in a heartening number of salvaged pieces.  Resident Lawrence Salemme and conservator Carolyn Tomkiewicz worked tirelessly with the assistance of AIC-CERT members, Chris Stavroudis, and other volunteers to extract and treat water-damaged works. Paintings, photographs and sketchbooks by artists including John Dobbs, Martha Graham, Barbara Rosenthal and Arnold Wechsler were treated with isopropanol to prevent mold outbreaks. Conservation Center student Caitlin Breare assisted in drying dozens of sketchbooks of John Dobbs as well as problems with the paintings. Lifting and flaking of paint often occurred as the paintings dried, which were addressed by facing the problem areas with tissue. Masses of works have been dried and packed for storage, but are in need of further treatment. Some works still remain in the basement. If you would like further information or to offer assistance, please contact Lawrence Salemme on 646-789-3395.