gchildress@heraldsun.com; 419-6645
Chapel Hill -- With the cutting of an eclectic ribbon, Chapel Hill on Monday welcomed FRANK, a new art gallery downtown boosters hope will give residents and visitors a reason to visit Franklin Street.
More than a 100 people attended the ribbon-cutting for the art gallery that will be operated by 25 member artists who have formed a nonprofit organization called the Franklin Street Art Collective.
The artists are funding the effort with a $40,000 loan approved by the town of Chapel Hill and the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership though the Small Art Business Loan Program.
The gallery is at 109 E. Franklin Street in the 3,400-square-foot renovated former Rite Aid building.
Barbara Rich has been hired as the gallery's executive director.
Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt said supporting efforts to revitalize downtown Chapel Hill through such programs has been a long-standing goal of the town council
"We are pleased to use our newly established loan program to help enhance downtown economic development," Kleinschmidt said in a statement. "Supporting the arts is a key component of our efforts to enliven and invigorate downtown Chapel Hill."
Building owner and downtown booster Michael Brader-Araje said it is important for Franklin Street to have attractions that can't be found elsewhere in the Triangle.
"I think we need venues to draw people downtown and to keep them there," he said.
Each of the collective's 25 members paid a $500 initiation fee and must pay a monthly fee and agree to work in the gallery about eight hours a month. The gallery will receive a 25 percent commission on all sales.
Gordon Jameson, chairman of the Franklin Street Art Collective board of directors, said the gallery could eventually include the work of artists from around the world.
"Really our goal is to include the best work that we can that's in the area and down the road, be able to include national and international artists once we build up a reputation, and that will take time," Jameson said
