Cooperative space features multiple artists, galleries
By Julia Sommer for Ashland.news
Ashland Art Works has a festive First Friday planned for Dec. 2, featuring holiday gift items: silk scarves, wooden cutting boards, glass bowls, metal and ceramic holiday trees, silver jewelry, potholders, cards and more. All work in the gallery is for sale.
Now in its 22nd year, the four-gallery collective at 291 Oak St., just south of A Street, will be open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday. All 18 member-artists will have work on display. The gallery’s December fundraiser will support the rebuilding of Talent’s Malmgren Garage, which was destroyed in the Almeda Fire. Work made from burnt metal found in its concrete husk will be for sale.
Ashland Art Works is a nonprofit, explains treasurer Cheryl Kempner, one of two original members, along with Ellen Babcock. Artists apply for membership and must be approved by all members. The gallery takes only a 15% commission, much lower than usual in the gallery world.
Kempner notes that their landlord, Brad Roupp, is “a great supporter. He was very generous with the gallery when we had to partially close for a year due to COVID.”
The double lot includes seven historic buildings, including the original barn. Ashland Art Works operates galleries in four of them. The unique retail location also offers outdoor art and a wonderful deck overlooking Ashland Creek.
Ashland Art Works features two of its artists each month, April-October. It also offers demonstrations, workshops, and space for school children to display their art. The gallery is closed every January for a thorough cleaning and painting by gallery artists. “We always check in with each other,” says Kempner. “We’re supportive of each other, an inspirational family.”
Each artist-member works three or four shifts a month of two-and-a-half to four hours. Every member is on the board. “We want everybody to have a voice,” says Kempner.
The gallery’s website is at ashlandartworks.org. You can see members’ work on Instagram at ashlandartworks. Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday and Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Call 541-488-4735 for more information. You can sign up for the gallery’s monthly newsletter at AshlandArtWorks@gmail.com.
First Friday will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2. Each month, the Ashland Gallery Association creates an online version of the Art Walk Map detailing current exhibits. To see December’s map, click here.
Email freelance writer Julia Sommer of Ashland at juliamsommer@gmail.com.
