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Friday, March 29, 2024

Artisans’ Guild Gallery to reopen, feature younger student artists

<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-e42463e9-7fff-64b5-bd23-3057c90a2499"><span id="docs-internal-guid-e42463e9-7fff-64b5-bd23-3057c90a2499">Drawing of the map to the new Artisans’ Guild Gallery location by Linda Pence, member artist.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

Drawing of the map to the new Artisans’ Guild Gallery location by Linda Pence, member artist. 

Magic mushroom lamps. African-print childrens dresses. Fused glass jewelry. Photos of microscopic cell art, botanical sketches and Japanese fine art paintings. The art from the Artisans’ Guild Gallery is reopening at a new location Aug. 1. 

“It’s a beautiful variety, and that’s what’s so nice about it,” said gallery president Jeanne Bunting. “You can find something for everyone in there.”

The gallery, formerly located at 201 SE Second Place in Gainesville, closed April due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Open since 1970, the gallery will open its doors again at 224 NW Second Ave., which features a backyard and wrap-around porch.

As sales decreased, priorities changed, Bunting said.

“If the economy is difficult; people don’t buy art,” she said. “If it comes between feeding your child and buying a piece of jewelry, you’re gonna feed your child.”

The space downtown was costing too much in rent, and the guild couldn’t cover the cost through sales, said gallery vice president Abby Hogan. By holding workshops and art markets at the restored craftsman-style house, the guild will be able to pay off its bills.

However, the gallery made some adjustments to stay afloat during the pandemic, said gallery advertising chair JoAnn Alarid, like adding delivery or curbside pick up without contact for orders. Hogan said she created a new online store that makes art available to everyone, including those outside Gainesville.

The guild also combined art with something symbolic of the pandemic — face masks.

abby hogan.png

Abby Hogan wears a face mask she made. 

Hogan, who specializes in quilting with African fabrics, said she began creating masks in April to help the guild’s income before and during the move. She said she had help distributing masks to the old building and delivering them. While the masks are free, everyone seeking a mask was asked to make a donation. The donations the gallery received helped secure funding for the new site.

With a new location, the cooperative gallery of more than 45 award-winning artists are looking to showcase emerging college aged artists at upcoming art markets, Bunting said. The schedule for art markets isn’t yet planned, but she said she hopes they will start in October or November.

The gallery is also holding off on accepting new member artists because of COVID-19, she said, but any students wanting to volunteer or intern to help with the gallery’s social media and website are welcome to contact the guild at 352-378-1383.

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Alarid said she wants to get more young and diverse students to exhibit their work after the gallery is settled.

“We try to make any new person feel comfortable, and it’s OK if you make mistakes, because we’ve all been there.”

Those working at the guild are paid commission based on the amount of shifts completed and work they do, Alarid said. Half of a sale goes to the artist, and the other half goes to the gallery so that it can remain in operation.

“It’s a really great group of people, and it’s been around for 50 years, so we’re tryna make sure we’re not the ones who kill it,” Hogan said.

The pandemic hasn’t been the only time the gallery has almost closed, Bunting said, adding that the community is the reason the gallery continues to operate.

“The community came together, and they didn’t want us to close,” she said. “We have a very strong following. People have come in and supported us for years and years no matter where we are.”

Drawing of the map to the new Artisans’ Guild Gallery location by Linda Pence, member artist. 

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Asta Hemenway

Asta Hemenway is a third-year senior majoring in Journalism. Born in Tallahassee, she grew up Senegalese American. When she’s not writing or doing school, she loves watching Netflix and Tiktok in her spare time. 


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