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As a member of the CODA program at Rhodes College, I have been working on a senior CAP project to install art in vacant storefront windows along the Main St. corridor. I have been working closely with local artists, building owners and the Center City Commission to make this project a reality. And while there have certainly been many bumps in the road, we have successfully installed two projects at the Union and Main intersection and will hopefully install a third in the coming month. The first two projects were completed by Melanie Spillman and Dwayne Butcher in July. Spillman made four wood panels collaged with images from old beauty advertisements from the 1950s that play on the history of the space, which was formerly a beauty salon known as Debbie's Hair Affair (the original sign still exists above the window front). Spillman also painted the interior of the window front a vibrant turquoise, catching the attention of passers-by who hadn't even acknowledged the space in years. Butcher created sets of black and white bimorphic drawings to be hung in the building that recently housed Smooth Moves, adjacent to Debbie's Hair Affair. Butcher's abstract drawings fit nicely with the playful exterior of the former smoothie bar. The next project we hope to install is a series of retro figures by Darla Linerode-Henson in the old Stuart's building, just across the street from the first two installations.
Through this project, we hope to bring life back to this vital area of downtown Memphis and bridge the gap between the local art community and the general public. The installations make the vacant spaces more inviting to potential business owners and more enjoyable for those who frequent downtown. By removing the art from the typical gallery setting, the artist has the opportunity to interact with a different and much wider audience. And by the same token, the public is able to access the creative community while simply walking to work or to grab a bite. A number of artists have responded to a call for submissions and are eager to participate.
The response to these initial installations has been very promising, both from those who live and work downtown and the local press. People walking by as the installations were in progress couldn't believe what a single coat of paint and a handful of drawings did for the image of the buildings. In fact, leasing agents in charge of the buildings have received several inquiries about possibly leasing the spaces. Press for the project includes an article by Andy Meek from the Memphis Daily News in May and a recent review of the installations by Fredric Koeppel for the Commercial Appeal Playbook. There will also be a story on the Storefront project in the October edition of Memphis Magazine. So stay tuned, we're just getting started...
Through this project, we hope to bring life back to this vital area of downtown Memphis and bridge the gap between the local art community and the general public. The installations make the vacant spaces more inviting to potential business owners and more enjoyable for those who frequent downtown. By removing the art from the typical gallery setting, the artist has the opportunity to interact with a different and much wider audience. And by the same token, the public is able to access the creative community while simply walking to work or to grab a bite. A number of artists have responded to a call for submissions and are eager to participate.
The response to these initial installations has been very promising, both from those who live and work downtown and the local press. People walking by as the installations were in progress couldn't believe what a single coat of paint and a handful of drawings did for the image of the buildings. In fact, leasing agents in charge of the buildings have received several inquiries about possibly leasing the spaces. Press for the project includes an article by Andy Meek from the Memphis Daily News in May and a recent review of the installations by Fredric Koeppel for the Commercial Appeal Playbook. There will also be a story on the Storefront project in the October edition of Memphis Magazine. So stay tuned, we're just getting started...
