by erin thursby scopes1925@msn.com
Even though the Art Center next to the Carling has been around since at least October, and the idea for the formation of the co-op has been around for about a year, this Friday December 1st will be their Official Grand Opening from 5-8:30 pm at 31 W. Adams Street.
If you’ve been there during a Downtown Artwalk, you might not know that there is studio space available above the gallery as well. The Art Center is an artist’s co-op. Each artist pays a monthly fee ($15) to be part of the co-op, and also pays an extra fee ($45) to rent wall space for a month. The advantage of such a space is that artists get to display their work for a period longer than an art showing, which is generally one or two days at most.
The artists work together to make the space great by doing more than just putting in cash—last weekend, several of the artists (Kenny Balser, Elaine Bedell, Suzzette Solano, Leigh Murphy, Thomas Arcuri, Princess Rashid, Rita & Martin Blum, & Desiree Kantrim and Vin Dolan) showed up to paint the floors. Co-op members also put time in at the Center, helping customers and making art sales.
The Art Center even opened its doors during the Downtown Living Tour last month, showing off the artists working in the upstairs studio space. Many building owners are looking at the co-op as a model they can use to fill the vacant storefronts downtown. By placing artwork in the windows temporarily, they can drive up the property values instead of watching them plummet because of the perception an empty storefront creates.
The much anticipated grand opening gala will feature three local performing artists to entertain: singer Gene Hollomon, musician Kent Smedley and Bag Piper Lou Henningsen. Hors d’oeuvre and beverages will be served.
To find out about gallery space through the Artists Cooperative Center, contact Princess Rashid at (904)-745-0956. Also go to http://www.blogfromthecenter.blogspot.com/ to get the on-line meeting minutes.
If you’d like to be part of the co-op, here are some of the rules for hanging art work:
1) You are allotted a maximum of 8 ft for 45 dollars per month for as long as you pay.
2) You may have 16 ft for 85 dollars for a maximum of 2 months if there is space available
3) All work must have a minimum of 4 inches between pieces.
4) For work larger than or equal to 14x18 no more than 2 vertical pieces are allowed.
5) For work smaller than 14x18 up to 3 vertical pieces are allowed.
6) For work larger than 24x30 2 vertical pieces are allowed only if aesthetically pleasing. Contact Board Member or designated Curator for approval
7) Your name should be visible on top of your work with lettering no larger than 2 inches tall.
8) All your work should be labeled with: title of the piece, medium, price, and your name.
9) No art is allowed on the floor, ever, unless it is a floor sculpture or 3D art that requires the floor
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