Marilyn, Congratulations. Cultural activities put life back into a community but it's hard keeping up the momentum. Sounds like you have a great start. AZ Build a Lookaround! The Lookaround Book, 2nd ed. NOW SHIPPING http://www.panoramacamera.us > -------- Original Message -------- > Subject: Report on strip mall (artspace) gallery > From: "Marilyn" <marilyn@xxxxxxxxxxx> > Date: Sun, August 08, 2004 8:00 am > To: "List for Photo/Imaging Educators - Professionals - Students" > <photoforum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> > > Hello All, > > I'm just sending a report along about our most recent "artspace" gallery > opening. I thought you all might be interested because it is an experimental > project and it involves the arts and photography. > > We had our sixth opening last night with local artist C.D. Bailey. C.D. > garnered a half page article in one of our local newspapers, which was very > exciting for all concerned and the coverage had him walking in the clouds. > Among the guests who visited were two very prestigious local artists and our > exhibitor was delighted that his show brought these people in. > > In about six to eight months we've progressed from a dark, empty room, next > to a liquor store with a bad reputation, in the poorer part of town, to a > bright and shiny gallery/art school. We have one art teacher holding classes > and several art-related workshops scheduled. The city is supporting our > efforts by letting us advertise our workshops in their quarterly magazine. > > The strip mall is almost completely filled now (from a 40% "empty rate") > with great new small businesses that couldn't afford to start elsewhere. One > business is moving into a store front (still in the strip mall) twice the > size of where they started at the beginning of the summer because they are > doing so well. > > Most involved with the art gallery/school have worked, or are working on a > volunteer basis, so money isn't necessarily the impetus, although it is a > concern so we can build on what has been started. Although it sounds like > it, I'm not passing this information along to brag - I'm just so pleased and > excited, and I want others to see that "It Can Be Done." > > I know this is getting boring to those who are reading. Thank you for > suffering my blathering. > > Marilyn
