Market Street Art Spot expands gallery and marks 13th anniversary in Minerva
MINERVA − The history of the Market Street Art Spot was spread across a table in the downtown gallery in the form of postcard-style invites to past anniversary events.
A dozen different cards were emblazoned with vibrant artwork − one for each year the gallery has been open. Other promotional material also was scattered, representing past art receptions in vivid colors.
Resident artists say they are proud of keeping the Art Spot open for 13 years. Through economic challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic, the gallery has been a survivor with a mission of enriching the local community through artwork.
That's why the gallery is celebrating its new and expanded location in downtown Minerva at 113 N. Market St. with a grand re-opening event and art show from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be at 4:30 p.m.
Market Street Art Spot, which is also marking its 13th anniversary this month, is now located across from Henri's Cloud Nine and near the Roxy Theatre.
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"It's a milestone, it's a celebration, it's a miracle," said Marty Chapman, who spearheaded the idea for the gallery in 2010 and is still a resident artist there.
"Look around," he said. "How many villages of (around) 4,000 people have an art gallery of this quality and longevity?"
Anniversary art show is eclectic
Friday's "OUR 13th at 113" exhibit will feature original artwork by Chapman and the Art Spot's other resident artists: Michelle Mulligan, Laura Donnelly, Judith Singer, Anna Rather, Susan Crawford, Anne Richeson Scanlon, Kim Anderson and Therese Cook.
Featured artwork will include acrylic, pastel, watercolor, oil painting, pottery, fabric art, glass art, woodturning, raku, encaustic, printmaking and calligraphy.
Tom Freeland and his band “Panic Attack and Friends” will perform at Friday's event.
Gallery hours are 1 to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday (except 1 to 9 p.m. the second Friday of each month).
Call it a Minerva art story
Seated inside the relocated gallery on a recent evening, Chapman recounted the origins of the Art Spot.
He said the concept was inspired by the former 2nd April Galerie in downtown Canton when he was showing his artwork there. Former ArtsinStark CEO Robb Hankins also had supported the idea of a Minerva gallery, he said.
The concept was first discussed at a pizza party among interested parties and artists.
Opened in February 2011, the Art Spot is a collaborative gallery owned by resident artists.
The Art Spot still includes three original resident artists: Chapman, Donnelly and Mulligan. Two other original founding resident artists were Joan Henninger and Sally Lytle.
"The real vision was to have a brick-and-mortar place where we could showcase the arts, and that would be all the arts," Chapman said. "Not one particular medium, and at the same time, bringing people into downtown Minerva."
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Helping rejuvenate downtown Minerva
Chapman said the Art Spot has been a catalyst for an improved and rejuvenated downtown Minerva.
Positive changes have included new public art and murals, as well as increased building occupancy, new businesses and more people visiting, he said.
The Art Spot also initiated and sponsored the Market Street Art Fest, which is now combined with the annual Brick Street Jazz Fest in May.
Market Street Art Spot also collaborates with ArtsinStark, the village of Minerva, Minerva Local School District, Minerva Area Chamber of Commerce and Minerva Arts Council.
2nd Friday art receptions
Since opening, the Art Spot has hosted monthly art receptions on the second Friday of each month with live music and refreshments.
Chapman said the Art Spot has showcased more than 150 area artists, with at least 30 different artists exhibiting works monthly from Stark County and surrounding areas. Both group exhibitions and juried shows have been featured. The gallery also hosts an annual art show for Minerva students. Fundraising events also have been hosted.
More space means more art
The new 3,000-square-foot location has around twice the space of the previous site at 219 N. Market St.
More wall space and higher ceilings will accommodate larger pieces and more artwork overall, Cook said.
Artwork displayed varies widely in style and medium, including Anderson's fiber art, which uses wool from sheep she raises, as well as recycled material. Eco printing, a technique where plants, leaves and flowers imprint shapes, color and marks on fabric, is a tool for making scarves and other wearable art, she said.
Chapman shapes wood into art using a lathe. Mulligan specializes in oil painting.
"The Art Spot gallery has enriched our little village as a place where local artists of all ages and backgrounds can share their creative philosophies and unique work with folks who appreciate this amazing variety of art forms," Crawford said.
The gallery has surpassed Mulligan's original expectations.
“I never anticipated that the Art Spot would have such an enduring presence," she said. "... I have learned so much through this experience and look forward to that continuing in the new space.”
Reach Ed at ebalint@gannett.com.
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This article originally appeared on The Repository: Market Street Art Spot in downtown Minerva expands with new gallery
