University of Virginia Library

Second Street Gallery:Just What This Town Needs

More Spirit
Than Cash

By PAT PARTRIDGE

All it took was a handful of
enthusiastic local artists to
convert an abandoned second
floor office into potentially
the most exciting modern art
gallery on the East Coast.

The Second Street Gallery
is the brainchild of Assoc. Art
Prof. Eugene Markowski. This
fall other local artists joined
Mr. Markowski in his
enthusiasm for a gallery "to
bridge the gap between the
people and the artists in the
Charlottesville-Albemarle
area."

"It took finding a place to
get the artists excited about
it," explained University Art
instructor and artist-member
George Roland. Their location
above Anderson and
Strudwick at 2nd and Market
Streets allows for more display
area than other galleries of this
type south of New York.

The most important aspect
of this commercial gallery is
not its size, but its relative
uniqueness of purpose.
"Viewing ourselves as a
community service, we are not
primarily interested in selling
works of art. Judgements of
the types of work to be
displayed will not depend on
how well they will sell," said
Mr. Roland.

Customarily, commercial
art galleries are run as
profit-oriented businesses. The
Second Street Gallery is
essentially a non-profit
organization, although works
on display will be for sale.

"Some things probably
can't be sold," admits Mr
Roland. "Because of this the
gallery needs the support of
the community."

With projected annual
expenses of $10,000 to
$15,000, the artists have
devised a system for varied
community support. Patron
status is given to those
contributing $200 or more
annually; family membership is
$15 and student memberships,
$5.

According to artist-member
Linda Kennard, memberships
entitle holders to certain
privileges, such as invitations to
premier showings and
participation in free seminars
and lectures.

Financing for these
educational supplements will
come from sale profits of art
works and membership fees.
The remainder of the income
will cover maintenance cost
and the salary of the gallery
manager.

Other features of the
Second Street Gallery include
displaying art works which
are not those of the
artist-members. One showroom
is solely dedicated to
consignments (small paintings,
pottery, etc . of local amateurs
and hobbists.). Critiques and
classes are available for
members. However, anyone in
the community may submit
works to the annual show, at
which the art will be judged
and awards given.

..If you missed the gala
opening last night, be sure to
stop by for the public opening
tomorrow from 11a.m. to 4p.m..