Light Gallery + Studio opened during ArtPrize 2016, only three weeks after curator Erika Townsley and owner Matthew Provoast moved into their live-work space through Dwelling Place. A live-work unit is a space that combines your workspace with your living quarters, making entrepreneurship more accessible for local artists.
Light Gallery’s opening show featured some of their close friends’ artwork. After their opening show, Light Gallery started participating in the Avenue for the Arts First Friday events. In December 2016 for First Friday, they showcased the work of Kim Cridler. The exhibition was a collaboration with Anna Campbell's Curatorial Studies class of Grand Valley State University. The students curated the space and divided up tasks throughout the class.
Since Cridler’s show, Light Gallery has focused on growing their local artisans shop. They carry products ranging from ceramics and art prints, to jewelry and furniture. All pieces are handcrafted by local Grand Rapids artists. They also carry vintage finds and furniture, which has given them the chance to create a unique atmosphere in their functional space. This allows arrangement of different environments throughout the space, showcasing every unique piece. They created three moveable gallery walls that they built the first week they moved in allowing them “to switch things around, create different accent walls, and constantly adding new work to the space.” Townsley shares that this, “really lets Matthew and I get out our creativity in curating the space and making it colorful and cozy!”
During December and January, Light Gallery hosted a coat drive to benefit Arbor Circle, an organization that is a resource center for homeless LGBTQ* youth. “We had such a great turnout and were so grateful for the response from our community, and it definitely inspired us to continue giving back.”
Townsley shares, “Matthew and I are feeling so welcomed in the Heartside Neighborhood, and feel so at home on the Avenue for the Arts. We enjoy getting involved in Avenue meetings, Heartside residents meetings, as well as staying active in the Herkimer Building where our storefront is located.”
This is Light Gallery + Studio's first Art.Downtown and they can’t wait. Art.Downtown is this Saturday, April 8 from 12-9 p.m. Art.Downtown is featuring 400 artists, 30+ destinations, and three trolleys all in one night.
Townsley shares that they “currently have over ten artists who will be showcasing work around our theme and exhibition title; Process: Fiber. This exhibition will showcase some of the many different ways artists incorporate fibers into their work. We'll have weavings, embroidery hoops, felted and embroidered handmade paper, vintage fabrics, patchworks, fashion design etc. Throughout the event that runs from 12-9 p.m., we'll be having three artists work live in our space. MacKenzie Lund and Sierra Cole are partnering up for a collaborative piece; Cole will be spinning yarn for MacKenzie to then use in a weaving. Ryan Wyrick will be joining us to make a fiber inspired collage that will be raffled off towards the end of the day. Around 6 p.m. we will be offering food and drinks.”
Local handmade goods will be for sale during the duration of the event at Light Gallery. This is a great opportunity for individuals to support local artists and enjoy a day downtown with free transportation. If you’re in Grand Rapids for a staycation spring break, this is the perfect family friendly event and chance to support local makers.
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