|
Can An Artists’ Co-op Gallery Succeed Where Many Commercial Galleries Fail?
BY JUDY VIENNEAU
It’s a place with low profile and lowrent. It’s the kind of space artists seek out. It is not the kind of place cities, in sweeping statements belying their ignorance of the arts and artists declare to be a new “Art District.” Rather it is the kind
of area where artists can afford to put out
tentative roots.
The Artists Way Cooperative Gallery is located at 1403 Cleveland St.,
Clearwater, in a strip mall on N. Hillcrest
and Cleveland, across the street from El Ranchito de Pepe and Señor Bubbles,
and next to the well-known Studio 1212,
a respected art guild and gallery.
It seeks to fill a need, as many commercial galleries have recently closed their
doors, leaving artists in the lurch. Representing
not only the visual arts but also
the literary and performing arts, the gallery is filled with paintings, prints, jewelry,
sculpture, books, CDs and more, all
created by local artists, who, working together, hope to make a difference in the
cultural community.
This is the manner in which artists’ enclaves develop. One creative group
attracts another. Finding like-minded people, the area grows, benefiting other
businesses. Artists, gallery walks and
community art events gave Gulfport the needed boost to its downtown that has
benefited other businesses in the area.
Some of the restaurants there do a booming
business.
liquor permits in the area that resulted in
At one time, Ybor City was an artists’ haven of cheap rent and camaraderie,
until the city granted a large number of 7th Ave. resembling something more
akin to Bourbon St. in New Orleans.
Unable to compete with the bars, many
artists moved on.
Artists’ Way Co-op offers an opportunity
While Holiday Shoppers fret over imports that are “safety suspect” and the
current problems with the economy, The to support local artists and the local
business community. These creative entrepreneurs
are more than happy to help
shoppers find unique one of a kind gifts.
Could the strip mall housing The Artists’ Way Co-operative and Studio 1212
be the start of a new arty district? The artists certainly hope so! Please join the
artists of Artists’ Way Cooperative Gallery
on for a holiday open house, 5-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, for some holiday cheer
and sweet treats. Find a unique gift for
that hard-to-buy-for person on your list.
Or visit during regular business hours, noon-4 p.m., Wed.-Sun.
Call 727-446-1708. Judy Vienneau is director of Artists’
Way Cooperative Gallery.
|
Front Page 
Op-Ed 
