Wausau's 319 Gallery, a nonprofit art shop, in a struggle to keep its doors open
WAUSAU - 319 Gallery, an art and crafts shop featuring the work of local artists that has been part of Wausau's downtown community since 2013, is fighting for its survival.
The volunteers who love the little gallery say that the establishment, located at 319 S. Fourth St., made it through the tough times when the pandemic shut everything down, but since then the number of people who drop in and buy local, handmade items has diminished significantly.
"We made it through COVID OK," said Karen Tekippe, a member of the gallery's governing board and regular volunteer, but even though stores and workplaces opened up, the number of people who shopped at the gallery dwindled. Tekippe isn't sure why: "I wish I knew."
Tekippe said that a recent donation will help keep the doors open through the spring. And the gallery has also cut back on its hours and advertising to help streamline costs and volunteer time.
"We're holding our own now," she said.
It didn't help that there were online rumors that the art gallery had closed. Tekippe said she's been using social media to do damage control and let people know that the art shop remains open.
And it didn't help that the shop was turned down for a few grants for which it applied, Tekippe said. It seems that 319 Gallery meets many of the criteria needed to receive nonprofit grants, but not all.
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The gallery is a nonprofit organization run by volunteers, Tekippe said.
319 Gallery was once affiliated with 319 Bistro, but now the eatery and art gallery are being run as two separate entities. The bistro is still open and serving food.
But it offers space for artists and craftspeople to display and sell their work. Some of the craftspeople once had a seller in a placed called The Talent Shop, which catered to seniors looking to make and sell crafts. When that shop closed, 319 Gallery offered to show the work of Talent Shop talent.
A handful of other artists also display their painting, jewelry, pottery and other work in the gallery.
Tekippe, a painter, has her work on display. But she also treasures the space and the interaction with other people she gets there.
"This is my getaway, this is my vacation spot," Tekippe jokes. "I love the customers."
319 Gallery's location also works against it. It's located in space rented from and connected to St. Paul's United Church of Christ. It does not give off a retail vibe from the outside.
But Tekippe is hopeful that 319 Gallery will get more walk-in traffic during the summer, when more popular downtown events will be held, such as Concerts on the Square. She said the gallery will expand its hours to be open during those times.
Meanwhile, Tekippe vows to up the profile of the gallery in any way she can, through social media, bulletin boards and anything else she can think of.
"I'll fight to keep this open," she said. "For all it's worth,"
Features reporter Keith Uhlig is based in Wausau. Contact him at 715-845-0651 or kuhlig@gannett.com. Follow him at @UhligK on Twitter and Instagram or on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Wausau Daily Herald: Wausau's 319 Gallery, a nonprofit art shop, is struggling to survive
