Inside Art with Michael Rose - Cooperative Galleries Make Warren an Art Destination

Inside Art with Michael Rose - Cooperative Galleries Make Warren an Art Destination

Warren’s proximity to the water and its charming historic Main Street make it an appealing place to spend a summer afternoon. With a population of a little over 11,000 people, it is also a small and working-class locality. In spite of its size, Warren is home to three cooperative-style art galleries that together represent dozens of artists and anchor its downtown with creative energy. Together, IMAGO Gallery, Made in Warren, and The Collaborative are great examples of the unique assets that artist-run galleries can provide to their community.

Before exploring the cooperatives of Warren, it is worth noting that artist-run galleries have been around for a long time. Typically, these venues operate by pooling resources to cover expenses like rent in order to allow members equal exhibition opportunities. The model varies, but usually, artists have to apply to become members, and once members they pay a monthly fee. Often, member artists are also obliged to volunteer a set amount of hours in the space. The whole idea of cooperatives is that of equal sacrifice, hopefully leading to equal reward. The bonus of this model is that it can make art galleries more sustainable than a typical for-profit model, while giving artists resources and flexibility.

IMAGO Gallery, located at 36 Market Street, was founded in 2003 and became a non-profit organization in 2007. The oldest of the cooperative galleries based in Warren, IMAGO is a center for thoughtful rotating exhibitions. Typically, the space plays host to between eight and nine such shows each year. Currently boasting 14 artist members and 4 community members, IMAGO recently added an online store to bolster opportunities for artists to sell their work.

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Founding member and public relations chair Linda Megathlin says that her involvement in IMAGO Gallery has provided her with many opportunities. She outlines them, saying, “As an artist, the structure of having the goal of exhibiting new work in the gallery every five to six weeks was a great motivator especially in the early years when I was developing as an artist. The camaraderie of working closely with other artists, the inspiration and support they provided was key in helping me articulate and develop a personal vision of where I was headed as an artist.”

Around the corner, Made in Warren, which began as a holiday pop-up in 2015 is now entering its sixth year of operation. 38 artist members of the cooperative show off their wares in a storefront at 476 Main Street. This group of creatives produce everything from jewelry and textiles to stained glass, pottery, paintings, and photographs,making it one of the most media-diverse galleries in the area.

When asked why she feels Warren has become such a draw, Made in Warren’s executive director, potter Megan Douglas, points to the deep pool of local talent, saying, “So many artists work in spaces around Warren, such as Cutler Mills, making it easier for artists to find each other through partnerships and collaboration and creating opportunities for artist cooperatives to thrive.” Additionally, Douglas credits a growing interest in supporting local artisans for making cooperatives attractive places for art lovers to shop.

Located just a few steps from Made in Warren at 498 Main Street, The Collaborative integrates visual art and musical programming and features both established artists as well as emerging art-makers. Currently, the organization represents 11 members and also spotlights fresh talent as their Youth Artist of the Month. The program, sponsored by the Jay Barry Cultural Arts Centers, allows young artists to show alongside The Collaborative’s more established members while paying no commission on sales.

Speaking of the special value that The Collaborative brings to Warren, founder and executive director Uriah Donnelly says, “Our gallery offers a space for creatives to exhibit, unjuried and uncensored. This allows new artists to get their first gallery experience and for working, professional artists to try something new, perhaps outside of their comfort zone. We also offer classes and workshops for all ages and skill levels, in a variety of art forms.” He added that The Collaborative will host their annual fundraiser, the Warren Folks Festival, on August 28.

Through the hard work of many artists engaged in these three notable galleries, Warren has developed an art culture all its own and become a destination for local artwork. Together, they have made the idyllic town a spot where visitors can see a remarkable range of art all in one place, while also showing off just how successful cooperative galleries can be.

 

To learn more about IMAGO, visit www.imagofoundation4art.org.

 

To learn more about Made in Warren, visit www.madeinwarren.com.

 

To learn more about The Collaborative, visit www.thecollaborative02885.org