A new year, a new look for Port Huron’s art incubator
Posted January 20, 2008
Studio 1219 in Port Huron will have a fresh look and more defined space for it’s art gallery when it reopens next week. Staff and plenty of local volunteers have been working to cleanout, re-organize and refurbish different areas of the studio since Jan. 1.
“It’s actually quite typical for galleries to close in January and reorganize things for the coming year,” Tara Russel, a program officer with the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, which oversees the gallery, said. “And this is, in large part, made possible by volunteers who really work and make it happen,”
The non-profit studio opened several years ago after the Community Foundation of St. Clair County received a $99,000 grant from the State of Michigan. The money was the beginning of a plan to support renovations to the building, which dates back to 1900. The remainder of the necessary funding for building renovations and improvements came from the James C. Acheson Foundation, plus many other partners who provided grant monies to get the studio up and running, Russel said.
She said the Community Foundation of St. Clair owns half the building in a joint venture with the Port Huron Downtown Development Authority. The foundation provides in kind services by overseeing the gallery’s day-to-day operations, she said.
Work at the 7,800 square foot studio, which will reopen at noon Jan. 18, has been extensive but didn’t disturb current tenants who lease space in the building. Russel said the tenants not only agreed to the shut down but got a break in rent, too.
Most also welcomed the chance to extend their holiday vacation, as they are sole proprietors of their venture. and welcomed the break.
A list of changes to the studio include:
Refurbishing the wood floors in the upstairs classroom area.
Cleaning of all rooms, closets, kitchens, gallery spaces, pottery studio, carpets, etc.
Reconfiguring the main floor gallery spaces. When it reopens, it will have a distinct “fine arts” gallery and a gallery gift shop.
Reorganization of office space in basement and retail stations on main floor.
Painting of at least one gallery on main floor.
Inventory overhaul. “Each year we renew artist network memberships. If artists don’t renew, their artwork will be removed from inventory. Only fresh, new artwork will be displayed when we reopen,” Russel said.
New phone system.
Electric and maintenance work to include fans in classroom and gallery spaces.
Upgraded computer system.
Once the studio reopens to the public the many courses offered in all art mediums will be scheduled. Russel said the roster includes everything from belly dancing to photography, noting that getting the word out about all the studio has to offer is a challenge.
“We are more than just a fine arts gallery, it’s not just about painting,” she said. “We have so many classes and it’s a great place for gifts. We have stoneware, woodwork, glass blown items and pottery is one of our biggest sellers.”
Studio 1219 is at 1219 Military Street in Port Huron. For more information about programs or hours call (810) 984-2787 or visit the Web site, Studio1219.com.
Story originally published in the Voice News on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 by Barb Pert Templeton (a Voice Reporter)