The founder and curator of a new art gallery opening this month in San Marco said she plans to use the space to promote the work of local artists.
April Collum was hanging art inside a century old, two-story tin-roof house on Home Street in San Marco Monday. It’s the site of her new art gallery, Home Street Gallery and Studios.
She was being helped by Allison Watson and Kevin Author, two of eight Jacksonville artists who will have works featured at the gallery’s official opening on April 10.
Collum said she plans to use her gallery to help local artists like Watson and Author get the recognition they deserve.
“I’m from Jacksonville and I believe in supporting this community. We have such talent here, and I want to promote it,” she said. “And I want younger people involved. I want this to be a diversity of people, because art is for everyone.”
The work of local artists Enzo Torcoletti, Pablo Rivera, Colin Misenar, Terese Mullen Muller, Jeff Luque and Steven Durden will also be featured at the event.
“These are all Jacksonville artists,” Collum said. “There’s tons of talent in Jacksonville.”
Collum said a soft opening back in December, featuring art from Rivera, drew a crowd of over 200 people. Rivera then got her in touch with the other artists.
“I feel like there’s not enough recognition here for this talent that we have right here in our own community,” said Collum. To fill that gap, Collum hopes to foster a relaxed atmosphere at Home Street Gallery and Studios that will attract young people.
“Because people need to learn about this and see it for themselves and decorate their homes with it and stay here, not go out of town and buy it,” she said.
Looking ahead, Collum plans to do big shows every spring and fall with smaller themed shows in between. She also plans to rent out studio space upstairs.
Tabula Rasa Brewing and The Wine Cellar are sponsoring the April 10 event, which will include live music and drinks. The event’s scheduled to run from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Home Street Gallery and Studios, located at 1451 Home Street.
Brendan Rivers can be reached at brivers@wjct.org, 904-358-6396 or on Twitter at @BrendanRivers.
