Lyons struggling local arts/music scene (Part 2)
{{This article has been revised 12/20/20}}
This article is a follow up of “Artists Struggling Part I” published in September.
I had a reporter contact artists whom she knew to see how their businesses were doing. She informed me that she spoke to six visual artists and four musical artists who live in Lyons. She stated that three musicians had a small handful of gigs last summer, which they put a lot of energy into. The reporter stated that six visual artists who she talked with have sold at least one piece this year. Five did it on their own, reaching out to past collectors and working online.
She also reported that she was told that “many musicians used social media streams to creatively seize the stage through live performances, feeding their hungry audiences.” The sales and performances of our local artists and musicians, as well as those across the country, have had job or sales opportunities that pale in comparison to their previous summers. One of the musicians told me (she prefers not to be identified) that she is somewhat enjoying the down time, and working on both musical and personal aspects of her life-during-corona.
Earlier in the year, entities in town, along with Planet Bluegrass, toyed with the idea of a COVID-correct day of stage performances on Planet Bluegrass’ grounds for Lyons locals, which might have also produced some donations for the musicians. But the increasing number of COVID-19 restrictions made it logistically impossible for the show to go on. Some artists have performed in Lyons on trailers pulled through town. Others have performed or practiced in a couple of backyards in town.
“I’ve been surviving,” said Valerie Pellegrin, founder of The Corner Studios. Her studio use to specialize in presenting inspiring art collections. She now has returned full time to what she does best: framing only, with 25 years of experience.
“Some artists are surviving better than others,” said Valerie of her artist connections. “I have a consistent flow of framing jobs. I think that people are in their homes a lot more, and they are adjusting to their new environment.”
Last summer, local artist, Magali Fournier had a studio space at 440 Gallery. She joined Sonny Smith, John Jacobs and other artists in the artist co-op that offered space for artists to both work in, and present their work to the public for sale.
Magali was also part of the Lyons Fork (restaurant) art program, where the owners let local artists hang and sell their work for little or no commission. Both venues closed down earlier this year, as a direct result of COVID-19 shutdowns and restrictions. Magali is reinventing her marketing strategy.
“I started a professional Facebook page, and I’m working on an e-commerce website,” said Magali. “Clients are finding me online, and I am selling work.” Unfortunately, sales are not paying all the bills. Like many artists right now, her art business is augmented by a job outside of the art world.
The art world fight to survive includes the performance and educational arts businesses. Jasmine Lok, co-owner of Defined Motion dance studio (formerly Mayama), is struggling to remain open.
“Our dance studio is operating at about three to five percent of capacity ..and only online.. and has been since March 12th,” said Jasmine. “We are hemorrhaging money each month; and the future of our business is so uncertain. I have no idea if we will make it.”
BIGGER PICTURE
These are small stories that add up to a bigger narrative. Denver’s creative industries lost an estimated 29,840 jobs and $1.4 billion in sales revenue between April and July 2020 due to the COVID-19 crisis (2020 Creative Economy Report.) Colorado legislators got together a couple of weeks ago and passed a “stop gap bill” to provide funds to small businesses in Colorado. It is unclear at this time if the funds will also go to sole proprietorships. While this gets rolling, the legislators in Washington, D. C. are struggling to pass a bi-partisan measure that will greatly increase assistance to small businesses.
The life-saver this summer came courtesy of Lyons Emergency & Assistance Fund coordinating a gig-fund thanks to Lyons Community Foundation. LEAF asked LCF to help out when they realized there was more of a demand for financial assistance when COVID-19 arrived last spring. They realized that local artists/musicians and related crew members no longer had any income due to concerts/events being cancelled. LCF awarded a special grant of $15,000.00 to help these individuals. LEAF was responsible for vetting individuals in need and handing out funds as needed. It is likely that LEAF had to dip into their own funds to finish off the grants.
Lyons is known for having more or less 50 artists in the area. Several years ago, Lyons had a sculpture walk, “open studios,” and, more recently, art fairs in town. These gave our artists an opportunity to be more visible and meet the art loving public. Many of them are represented in galleries in Lyons, Boulder, Estes Park and Longmont.
How can the general public become more familiar with the names and work of local artists, and support them? Perhaps a reader of this article would like to create a Directory of artists, sculptors, musicians, performance artists, and instructive schools. It could be done while isolating at home during the pandemic. The Lyons Arts & Humanities Commission (LAHC) has not done this, but perhaps should consider funding such a project.
LYONS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Lyons chamber of Commerce does not have any individual artists as members. Their current “Flip Book” promotes member businesses, which includes art and gift stores in town. It might be to the benefit of Chamber staff to work toward labelling Lyons as an Arts District that would draw visitors to also shop in local stores.
LYONS ARTS & HUMANITIES COMMISSION
After the article on “Struggling Artists Part I” was published in September, a member of LAHC wrote on Facebook a criticism of the article for saying the shops were shuttered in March, and that LAHC was not helping struggling artists. The Lyons Recorder assigned the writer, Tamara Vega Hadad, to attend the next Lyons Arts and Humanities meeting to both answer any questions they had, and to witness what LAHC would do, moving forward, for struggling artists during the COVID-19 crisis. LAHC welcomed her to attend the meeting. According to the reporter, the extensive list of suggested ideas in the article, addressed to the public and local entities, to help our artists was never brought up, nor was any single item discussed or assigned to someone to do further research on it. There was no discussion about amending the criteria of loans, grants or programs to always give priority to locals, to recruit locals more aggressively, or to no longer offer them to artists who came from regional cities or out of state.
Note, this is not to disparage the great public art work that LAHC is doing in town. This article is focusing on how to increase opportunities for local artists.
LOCAL ART STORES
Lyons has eight stores that sell a selection of arts, collectibles, crafts and/or antiques. They too have been struggling to survive. It would be correct to state that since March, artists, musicians, restaurants and stores in town turned to Facebook postings, website orders, contactless charges, curbside service, deliveries, and shipping. And, those that re-opened did it with extensive use of PPE, sanitizers, and face masks. The two major ones are Western Stars Gallery & Studio and Red Canyon Art.
Chrystal DeCoster, co-owner of Western Stars, has been doing very well. She states that she closed down for a little while in March, but has since gained ground. She stated that between March 1 and September 17, she has sold a minimum of 163 locally-created items, plus at least 91 other Colorado-created items. She represents more than 240 artists and consignors, and offers Colorado-made or Colorado-sourced products. She defines local as including Boulder, Longmont and Estes Park; but specifically states that 24 of her selling artists are from Lyons.
Connie McGuire, owner of Red Canyon, closed for two months, from March 16 to May 10, due to the pandemic. When Boulder County relaxed their protocol, she reopened. Initially business was very good, as reported back in September; but then, the major forest fires took place, and her business dropped.
“I have had a good local support, and a lot of people coming out,” said Connie. “We are gaining lost time, but we will be behind from last year’s sales.” Her store sells about 15 to 20 percent local Lyons art, and she is always open to consignment of local artist’s work.
Each store owner is making an individual, studied decision whether to stay open. Christine Ralston, at Ralston Brothers Antiques, has closed for much of the year due to COVID-19 concerns, with a goal to reopen in spring. Rosey’s Rescues has been open on the weekends. Sally Gibson’s collectibles store, Gatherings of a Lifetime, on Main Street, near the St. Vrain Market, has plenty of foot traffic, but she decided to close due to having to deal with COVID-19 restrictions.
“In 2021, I am going to get things back to how we had it,” said Sally. “I love my locals who stop in almost daily. I plan to reopen in spring. But for now, I am taking a welcome break. I’ve been working for six years.”
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Until we can open another artist co-op, or conduct a sculpture walk or art fair, or do art openings in town, it behooves us to ask to see Lyons artist’s work when we are in shops, to do specific web searches, watch for postings on Facebook, seek out word-of-mouth recommendations, and similar supportive pursuits. Let me repeat, this would be a good time for someone who is unemployed to do a comprehensive list of Lyons artists. This could be a volunteer service, or a grant-paid project, or a way to earn some income by charging a small fee for the listing. Also, please re-read the September article that lists many ways we can help our local artists survive this pandemic.
We are Lyons Strong and our artists and musicians are fighters. With tighter COVID-19 health restrictions and a vaccine now being administered, and U.S. legislators signing a bill with help for small businesses, renters, pay-check protection, and the unemployed, hope is on the horizon.
CLICK HERE to VIEW LIST OF LOCAL ART/ GIFT/ ANTIQUE/ COLLECTIBLE STORES
INCLUDING IF THEY ARE =OPEN NOW= OR WHEN THEY WILL =REOPEN=
