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Allen’s only fine arts gallery closed
By Stefanie Ackerman, Staff Writer
After a year of success and failure, the Aurora Images and Art Gallery, the only fine arts gallery for visual artists in the city, closed its doors Wednesday, much to the dismay of the owner and local artists.
“We started this Gallery on a song and a prayer with very little to nothing,” said Synne Magar Ferguson, proprietor and owner of the gallery. We knew this was going to be the greatest challenge we had ever faced, but we felt we had a sound business plan and we went forward. My husband and I supported the gallery from our household budget each month in hopes that it would become self sustaining within a year, especially with the Christmas gift buying season to help launch us into a second year. We had thought the Allen community had enough interest in the visual arts to sustain a fine Arts Gallery that offered affordable art. Unfortunately, it appears that the Allen community may not be ready to support the visual arts at this time.”
With all the other global issues; the war, the economy and limited emphasis and exposure to art in general, Ferguson feels that’s why people stopped coming by the gallery.
In the last six months, the gallery went from a fine arts establishment with guest artists and receptions; business was booming. But the summer months went by with no visitors to the gallery. September picked up, but dropped off suddenly again. December had all of seven visitors, which surprised Ferguson and her husband, Ben Ferguson. Also, 10 artists pulled out of the gallery at the same time.
They’d been paying out of their own pockets to keep the dream alive. When the two sat down to figure the books, they were way too deep in the red, she said.
“The first week, I cried everyday,” Ferguson said, about the decision she and her husband made two and half weeks ago. “It’s a grieving process. I got angry. But Saturday we had a great party.”
Where there had never been a venue before, Ferguson, through Aurora Images Art Gallery and Gifts, was able to provide local artisan with a storefront location where they could exhibit and sell their art work. On the walls of the gallery hung the art work of over 40 local artisans, many of them Allen residents like abstract artist Sally Meding, Photography Artist Bill Carter, Dichroic Glass Jewelry Artist Cindy Sims, Watercolorist Pam VanLaanen, Watercolorist Charlotte Townsend, Candle Maker Melanie Williams, Candle Maker and Stained Glass artist Karen Broberg, Stained Glass artist David Logue, Pottery Artist Ann Carroll, Abstract Artist Christa Deipenbrock, Wire Jewelry Artist Becca Collis, Fiber Artist Linda Theiman, Italian Maiolica Artist Mary Schirmer and Oil painter Cheryl Phillips. Ferguson, being primarily an oil painter and wildlife artist also exhibited her artwork at the gallery.
“Everyone has this stereotype to the starving artist, why should we be, this is our livelihood and our god given talent. Just like the CEO of Coca-Cola, whose gift is leading a major company. They shouldn’t be expected to compromise or give it away,” Ferguson said.
Aurora Images began as a Ferguson’s personal virtual gallery website promoting her own work. Then she expanded it to include local artists and then developed a partnership with local businesses to provide space for the art work in their building and possibly sell it.
During the downward spiral of the gallery, Coalition of Allen Visual Artists, a non-profit organization was founded. The two forces came together to provide local art contests, education and promotion of visual arts.
The art classes will continue, Ferguson said. They’ll set up shop wherever will let them hold classes, possibly at the library. The lifelong artist and CAVA are working together with the Allen Arts Alliance Board to have art programs throughout the year as well. Ferguson said there will be a happening in the spring and the fall of this year.
“I’m not going away. I’m still here to promote the arts and arts education,” Ferguson said.
Visit Aurora Images at www.auroraimagesart.com.
Contact staff writer Stefanie Ackerman at 972-398-4265 or sackerman@acnpapers.com.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
Christa Diepenbrock wrote on Feb 20, 2007 2:09 PM:
" I think it makes more than just a good business plan to run an art gallery. An art gallery is not like a restaurant or cloths shop, in which everyone thinks they need something from them. A gallery not only has to create a demand where there is none but educate folks about the importance of art.
I also think location, location, location is valid to the survival of a gallery. I think they should be with other galleries so customer visiting one might venture to visit yours. Galleries, like most business need more then just a year to make. I think a gallery owner must have at enough money to run without any profits for at least 3 years or more.
By the way my last name is spelled DIEPENBROCK not Deipenbrock.
Christa Diepenbrock, MFA
"
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