120610 From elegant to funky the 120 Artists CoOp has it all

  • By Sharon Haught
  • November 28, 2010
  • 267
                        
As most working artists will attest, finding a venue to sell their creations at a reasonable cost is a challenge. Art lovers who would welcome the opportunity to own original works of art but are afraid of the high price tag face much the same challenge. A new venture known as the 120 Artists CoOp may hold the key to bringing these two groups together. Since opening for business Thanksgiving weekend, the CoOp, which is housed in the 120 Beall Avenue Building, is already establishing itself as the place to go for everything from elegant works of art to pieces with a decidedly funky flair. According to CoOp member Melody Kirby, 14 artists representing a wide variety of art media have joined the organization and have their work for sale at the CoOp including Rhiannon Barnes, Becky Battig, Cynthia Bethal, Phillip Evans, Deb Grenert, Melody Kirby, Sally Krueger, Dennis Lipp, Colleen Martin, Julia Mathys, Cheryl Miller, Steve Miller, Jane Tillett and Edna Wade. Represented in their works are original watercolors, acrylics, pencil, oils, glass, pottery, soft sculpture and jewelry, as well as prints, note and greeting cards, seasonal items such as handmade ornaments and freshly made candies and baked items according to Kirby. The CoOp members “will be bringing in new and fresh product all the time” said Kirby adding that at any given times there will be upwards of 700 different items to choose from. One of the unique items for sale by Kirby at the CoOp is also one of the hottest new art forms sweeping the art world – Steampunk beads. Kirby describes Steampunk beads, which combine polymer clay with vintage clock parts, as “a world where arts and Victorian mechanism collide.” On the other side of the art continuum patrons will also find elegant oil paintings, delicate hand painted glass ornaments and intricate jewelry. In addition to seeing the finished products of these gifted artists, visitors will also have the opportunity to see the artists hard at work. “Along with the other talented artists, Phil Evans will be on hand most every Friday evening doing his ‘10 Minute Portraits’,” said Kirby noting “not only on Friday evenings but possibly anytime you visit, there may be artists actually working at the building…so you can purchase a piece right off the easel.” Coffee and baked items will also be available on Friday evenings and live music will often be performed. Kirby describes the CoOp as “a place where established artisans as well as up and coming artists can promote themselves at reasonable prices, while providing the local community with reasonably priced art.” For a minimal monthly membership fee and a small commission, artists of all ages can showcase their talents at a reasonable cost. According to Kirby the downtown area was the perfect place to establish a venture like the 120 Artists CoOp. “All the great little restaurants now coming into downtown Wooster is making it a prime area for the arts, and since the west end of downtown is a little more reasonably priced and affordable for an artist, we can tie that end of town in with the arts,” said Kirby. The CoOp will be open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with extended hours till 9:00 p.m. on Friday. The CoOp will be closed Christmas Day but open Christmas Eve from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for last minute Christmas shopping. For more information on the 120 Artists CoOp call 330-264-0037 or visit the organization on Face Book at “The 120 Artists CoOp” page.


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