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SATURDAY February 28, 2004 - Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels December 31, 2003 Foray Gallery to close down in late January By Vickie Aldous Ashland Daily Tidings Faced with a dwindling number of members, the cooperative Foray Gallery on A Street in Ashland will close its doors at the end of January. Membership has dropped by half, with just five artists remaining with the gallery, according to member Mickie McCormic. "Without enough partners, it just doesn't work," she said. Unlike traditional galleries that usually take 50 percent of the price of work that sells, cooperative galleries usually require artists to promote their own work, take turns watching the gallery and handle other duties themselves. Cooperative gallery artists in return receive more of the purchase price for sold works. Foray members left for a variety of reasons. For example, one artist had surgery, while a few others moved on to galleries in bigger cities, according to McCormic. Remaining members were unable to attract artists who wanted to show new, innovative work in keeping with the gallery's philosophy, she said. "We were really looking to be an art gallery rather than just a store that sells art," McCormic said. Located on the corner of A and Fourth streets, Foray opened four years ago as a women's cooperative under the name Gallery Living Colors but later began accepting male artists. The gallery is one of about a dozen galleries and studios making up an art district along A Street. McCormic said she would like to see another gallery occupy the spot being vacated by Foray. "I would really hope another gallery would go into that space. It's so great on A Street. It's becoming a little gallery row," she said. Property co-owner June Papen said her first preference is for the site to remain a gallery, but she will have to see if anyone wants to launch a new gallery in the space. Although word about the A Street art district is spreading, the area still does not enjoy the same level of commercial activity as Ashland's downtown, which also is home to numerous galleries. The downtown Art & Soul Gallery, which operates like a cooperative with eight owner/directors who rent space to artists, has 34 members - and even more artists on a waiting list hoping to join the gallery, according to board of directors chair Dodie Hamilton-Brandon. She credited the gallery's success to its prime downtown location, congenial relationships among board members and artists and the fact that the gallery targets a general audience. "We're trying to appeal to less sophisticated buyers who are looking for art for their walls but not a noteworthy piece of art," Hamilton-Brandon said. "I have nothing against that type of work, but it's hard to sell." The cooperative Ashland Art Works gallery on Oak Street experienced a slump in attracting members last spring, but now has a strong base with 11 artists and room for a few more, according to member Bill Francis. Difficulties remain in drawing buyers to the gallery due to its location away from downtown, he said. "There's the barrier businesses have to cross getting the main traffic of commerce flowing in this direction," said Francis, noting that low rent and reasonable prices help ensure the survival of Ashland Art Works. With the Foray gallery lease up for renewal at the end of January, members decided to close the cooperative rather than trying to renew the lease and recruit new members, according to McCormic. But January will still be a busy month as the remaining members exhibit their art, including McCormic's mixed-media work on fabric, Cheryl Kempner's jewelry and porcelain, Teresa Giacomini's watercolors, Sue Ameijide's pastels and Penelope Dew's ceramics and stoneware animal sculptures. Recent member Adele Hiles will exhibit acrylics, guest artist Lester Stafford will show drawings and guest artist Tom Clemo will display photographs. The artists will welcome visitors from 5 to 8 p.m. during an opening reception this Friday that will feature refreshments and the music of Chris Cummings. McCormic will teach a three-part image transfer workshop at the gallery on Sunday afternoons from 2 to 4 p.m. on Jan. 11, 18 and 25, with a demonstration of several techniques on Saturday, Jan. 10. People interested in learning how to use heat, glue and solvents to transfer photos and other images onto a variety of surfaces should call McCormic at 488-2612. The cost is $78, including materials. Gallery hours during January are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Refreshments will be available on Saturdays. On Saturday, Jan. 31, artists will hold a sale of art, yard sale items and fixtures from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. during Foray's "Good-Buy Sale." DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Site Search: The new search is here! Click here for more information. .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - ODOT Road Cams