Artists spiff up empty stores downtown

By Gary Ruegsegger

NORFOLK

Restaurants and nightclubs fueled the rebirth of downtown Granby Street, but man does not live by bread and drink alone.

Therein lies the heart of Art Everywhere, a joint effort of the Downtown Norfolk Council, AltDaily, re:vision Norfolk, and Grow Interactive.

“It’s a celebration of Norfolk,” said Bonnie Schule, retail recruiter and coordinator for the Downtown Norfolk Council. “It’s a success because it gets people excited about downtown.”

For Art Everywhere’s second year, 30 local and national artists are transforming vacant storefronts and active businesses into a vibrant kaleidoscope of patterns and colors.

There are fewer empty buildings to fill this year, but more restaurants are inviting artists inside, and it’s expanded beyond Granby Street.

“It’s my hope that projects like Art Everywhere can be a springboard for more local activity,” said Beth Austin, a participating artist and Norfolk native, “something that gives our city its own voice.”

For Austin, that voice is set to music.

Her photography exhibit, “Thank You and Good Night – Music in the 757,” will be featured in Hell’s Kitchen, 124 Granby St.

“We participated last year,” said owner Kevin Blair, who frequently hosts art shows at his establishment. “We thought, ‘What a great idea to improve the aesthetics of downtown Norfolk.’”

The Wright Co., S.L. Nusbaum and other real estate businesses assisted in securing vacant storefronts.

“This is a unique partnership between a business association and private companies,” said Jesse Scaccia, 31, editor of local online publication AltDaily. “We want to light up downtown Norfolk so you can feel the electricity.”

Artists with their fingers on the light switch include Diana Laurel Caramat, Erin Schwinn, Amanda Page Stephens and CeCe Wheeler.

Some employ their art to convey social messages. Ariel Moreland’s “Utterance for the Captives,” at 250 Granby St., combines display and performance art to speak out against human trafficking.

Other work carries a more personal message.

At 258 Granby St., Clay McGlamory dedicates his work “with love and hope to my Mom, Onzella McGlamory, and to all the artists and organizers that helped make this event a success.”

Media range from paintings, sketches and photography to video, glasswork and performance art.

The curtain goes up April 30. Opening night festivities will include art and entertainment combined with food and drink specials in many bars and eateries. The show runs until the end of June.

Earlier this month, Heather Bryant, 31, an Old Dominion University art professor, and Elyse Lovelace, 23, an art major, were scrubbing windows before installing their exhibit in a vacant storefront at 145 Granby St.

“Art Everywhere brings new energy and excitement here,” Bryant said.

Lovelace added: “People don’t have to go to New York to view quality work anymore. There’s plenty of talent right here at home.”

Gary Ruegsegger, 497-3755