Published: March 16, 2008 12:55 am         

Co-op gives artists a place to highlight their talents

CUMBERLAND — They’re friendly, fun and some of the most creative people you’ll find anywhere.

At 40 members strong, the co-op that makes the Arts at Canal Place its home is looking forward to continued success within a stone’s throw of the rewatered C&O Canal.

“We feed on each other’s creativity and thrive on each other’s success,” Jill Shillingburg said. “We’re pulling for each other, and it’s working out nicely.”

The co-op will celebrate its fifth anniversary as part of The Shops at Canal Place at the end of April and is preparing to sign another three-year lease.

“We’re open, successful and we want people to know just because there have been some bumps and bruises ... the shops are doing well but we need the support of the entire community,” Andy Vick, executive director of the Allegany Arts Council, said.

By Vick’s calculations, the co-op’s sales have increased 12 percent to 18 percent annually and he expects that increase to continue.

“We’re eager to have the hotel open and development here to finish the build-out,” he said.

Vick said the co-op sprouted from the council’s desire to “do something specifically for local visual artists in a venue where their work could be highlighted.” It serves as a place for artists to develop a business and business skills as well as to interact with other artists.

The arts council continues to seed the co-op, but its financial obligation has diminished as the co-op moves “closer and closer to self-sufficiency.” The co-op operates separately from the arts council with its own board of directors.

All members are considered part owners and “collectively and cooperatively run the program,” Vick said.

Here’s what one can find in the 1,238-square-foot co-op: decoys, drawings, fused glass, paintings, jewelry, photography, pottery, printmaking, sculpture, stained glass, textiles, turned wood, fabric and fiber arts, leather work and wood carving. Items range from $1 up.

The upstairs space features rotating exhibits by various artists.

The co-op allows people to take home a handmade piece of Allegany County, Vick said.

Shillingburg said the community is recognizing the potential for artists and that the co-op has a good customer base with many return customers. The area from Canal Place, downtown and a portion of Washington Street was designated an Arts and Entertainment District in 2002.

“It’s exciting what we have to offer,” she said. “We’re becoming an art mecca.”

Pat Kelly, who like Shillingburg is a newer member of the co-op, said the community’s willingness to embrace the arts is what brought him back to the area after his retirement.

Jill Baldinger, education chairwoman, said artists are juried in and if accepted, they must work at least one shift per month, doing everything from making sales to cleaning. No one is paid.

“We take turns minding the shop,” Kelly said.

Shillingburg, membership chairwoman, said the co-op has an all-time high of 40 members, with membership open to anyone within a 50-mile radius of Cumberland.

The gallery is coordinated by Jim DeGeorge.

Artists keep 70 percent of their sales, with the remaining 30 percent put back into the co-op to pay the expenses, from rent and utilities to supplies.

Arts at Canal Place is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Summer hours are extended to 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

For more information, call (301) 777-8199 or log on to www.artsatcanalplace.com.

Contact Maria Smith at msmith@times-news.com.