Toledo, a real artists’ haunt

“Phantom Galleries” are set to appear along Toledo’s Main Street and Arts Revitalization of Toledo, or Toledo ART, is accepting applications from local and regional artists interested in displaying their works.

Phantom Galleries are small, temporary art galleries created in vacant storefronts that allow visitors to enjoy the works of local and regional artists in a COVID-safe environment.

The galleries will enliven Toledo’s Main Street while also showcasing street-level storefronts that are ripe for new business development.

“The Phantom Gallery project is a great synergy between Toledo’s creative ecosystem and downtown economic development,” said Paul Schuytema, executive director of the Economic Development Alliance of Lincoln County. “It’s proven that the arts drive dollars into a community, and Toledo’s Main Street is a perfect showcase for some amazing artists.”

The galleries will feature works by local and regional artists and will have information about each artist, their displayed work and how pieces can be purchased. There will also be information about the commercial space and its amenities.

Students in the Digital Media CTE class at Toledo High School are currently developing a website that allows visitors to learn more about each artist by scanning a QR code displayed alongside their work.

"This project has energized an already enthusiastic class and has given the students the opportunity to work on a real-world project that will help their community,” said Rachael Wallace, digital media instructor. “We could not have asked for a better project to partner on."

The galleries will officially launch this spring, with several events to follow in the spring and the summer. The initial round of artists will be on display for 90 days.

Future Toledo ART projects include art events, Main Street beautification work and a new mural program.

"This project is the beginning of a vision that Toledo artist Michael Gibbons and I shared with each other back in 2008,” said Toledo Mayor Rod Cross. “I am excited for the future of where ART can go in our town. Toledo truly is where art and industry meet!"

Toledo ART is accepting applications until Monday, March 8. For more information, go to ARTToledo.com or the ArtToledoOR page on Facebook. To get involved with Toledo ART, email Rachael Maddock-Hughes at rachael@sequoiaconsulting.org.