Separation, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn
acrylic on archival board, 5"x7"
Very sorry for the glare on today's Everglades painting. I forgot to photograph before finishing with a gloss varnish, and now it won't photograph properly.
Breaking up is hard to do. Most relationships in your life will at
sometime point come to an end. Sometimes this happens naturally as you move on either
in person or in spirit. Sometimes it is caused
by the finality of death, other times it may be a conscious choice. It most always hurts.
I initiated the Artist Colony at the
Esplanade three years ago. We had a
great run. We were fortunate to have
had fabulous space in a great location provided to us at very reasonable costs. By sharing and supporting each other we were
able to make it work for all of us.
The artist Colony has always been under a
possible threat to vacate. But new
owners have a different view of the space.
It's not charity, and they are far from Marco Island. They intend to have the space fully rented to paying customers. It's a tough economy, but they are moving aggressively
ahead. They've rented the spaces, and have asked us to leave by October 1.
Under this threat, each Colony member has determined a price they feel
they can afford to pay for studio space. Staying at the
Esplanade is not an option for most, not even with sharing. After weighing, costs, benefits
and options, I've come to a different conclusion. I like the traffic there, and I'm ready to take a big step, even though the
cost of it will be a challenge.
So, taking a big breath, reaching deep and taking a giant leap of faith, I've made a difficult but exciting decision to rent space in the Esplanade
for myself, for Sunshine Studios of Marco Island,
Jo-Ann Sanborn, Fine Arts Everglades painter.
I'll take over the space just to the right of where I am now on October 1 and be opened for
business by the middle of the month. Some artists will find space elsewhere.
Some may band together if they can find donated or affordable
space. Some may decide that making art
for sale isn't worth the effort.
Will it be the end of the Artist Colony? Too soon to tell, but I hope not. I wish my fellow artists the best in finding what's right for them. Together we were able to add another voice to Marco Island's artistic palette. It was fun. Thank you.
2 comments:
The new owners have made a huge mistake. The Esplanade has become a wonderful artist colony with monthly art walks...all thanks to your vision. I know you will continue to do well and hope that Marco's talented local artists will find a common ground to continue art walks.
Thank you, Kathy. We've had a good run and always known it would end, but that doesn't make it any easier!
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