Group hopes to move into heart of the arts
| Wednesday, Feb 03 2010 04:29 PM
Last Updated Wednesday, Feb 03 2010 04:29 PM
Renewed negotiations to rent the former Curves building on Eye Street have heightened the Bakersfield Art Association's hope of landing a new home in the downtown arts district.
And the sooner the better, says Kathy Schilling, president of the organization. She is confident that moving the BAA Gallery of Art from its present location in East Hills Mall will increase both its exposure and its revenue.
"We need to be with the arts, we need to be downtown," she said. "Nobody knows where we are now -- you can count on the fingers of one hand how many people come in each day."
In late December, Schilling and other BAA officers submitted an offer for the 2,960-square-foot building at 1817 Eye St. Although the terms were not made public, Schilling said at the time that her organization desired 3,000 square feet of space and could pay only $1,000 per month in rent. Their offer was turned down.
Last Friday, however, they again met with Bill Potter of Potter McKinley, a real estate management company and agent for the building's owner. Working with Potter, the artists presented a new offer for a slightly higher monthly figure initially with an agreement that the amount would increase annually over a five-year period. Assuming the offer is accepted, the lease still must be approved by the entire BAA board.
"I wouldn't want to go ahead with this unless the whole board is behind it," the president said.
Schilling is optimistic this second proposal will be accepted. So optimistic, in fact, that the BAA has scrapped plans to temporarily display part of its inventory at the Curiosity Shop around the corner on 19th Street while putting the rest in storage. It wouldn't make sense to move twice, she said.
Instead they will maintain their gallery in East Hills Mall until the end of February. Nick Danish, the mall's owner, has agreed to lower their rent for the time remaining, Schilling said.
The association, which was founded in the 1940s, now has about 200 members. For about 15 years its gallery at East Hills has given individual artists the opportunity to show and sell their work. Exhibitors also make up the volunteer sales force.
Currently, the BAA's annual budget is $50,000 a year, said Joanne Georgio, treasurer. On average, sales at the East Hills Gallery have been about $2,500 per month. But as Schilling noted, sales have taken a nosedive since the closing of the mall's two anchor stores, Mervyns and Gottschalk's.
In an effort to increase their treasury, the association is planning a $75 per person "Mardi Gras Gala," to be held from 7 to 11 p.m. on Feb. 19 at the Bell Tower Club. Cajun-style finger food will be served and guests can dance to the music of the Southside Chicago Seven. A silent auction featuring artwork and other items will be held.
Three different kinds of masks will be available for sale at the event, said Schilling. An artist and a teacher, she has operated her own studio on District Boulevard for 13 years. Her younger students made smaller ones that cover only the eyes. Some adult students made full-face fabric masks and others decorated porcelain masks acquired from Color Me Mine.
If the search for a new gallery proves successful, Schilling has other ideas for expanding the association's programs and may even decide to move her studio to the building's 400-square-foot mezzanine. "We want to grow and I'd like to see us start a junior art association for kids," she said. "Everybody's got a dream and that's mine."
