The phantom tenants
A group aiming to revitalize downtown Toledo has selected seven applicants as the inaugural artists to display their work in new Phantom Galleries along the town’s Main Street.
Arts Revitalization of Toledo, or ART Toledo, will launch the program with a Grand Opening outside Toledo City Hall, from 3 to 5 pm on Saturday, April 17.
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.
Twenty-six artists submitted more than 125 pieces of art for consideration, which ART Toledo members evaluated on artistic merit, the cohesiveness of the artist’s submissions and social and cultural significance.
Nate Burke, Jim Franklin, Sylvia Hosie, Herb Kateley, Moe Snyder and Jill Perry Townsend are the selected artists for the first round of displays.
One of the Phantom Gallery spaces will also showcase student artwork from Toledo High School.
“Once again I realize the incredible visual arts range that exists here on the Central Oregon coast," said Catherine Rickbone, ART Toledo committee member and retired executive director of the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts.
Toledo Mayor Rod Cross
"The Arts Revitalization of Toledo committee strived for diversity in artistic expression, from young Toledo High School artists, to tribal points of view and local Lincoln County artists in 2D and 3D media."
The galleries will be set up by a team of volunteers in early April and will be available for public viewing starting April 17 and remaining for approximately 90 days.
The galleries will not only enliven Toledo’s Main Street but will also showcase available street-level storefronts that are ripe for new business development.
Each gallery will have information about the artist, their displayed work and how it can be purchased as well as the commercial space and its amenities. QR codes will allow visitors to scan then visit the artist’s page on ARTToledo.com.
"The Phantom Galleries are just the start of our arts revitalization of Toledo,” said Mayor Rod Cross. “This has been a dream that is over 15 years in the making. It started with former Mayor Sharon Branstiter's mural wall at City Hall, and now we are working to enliven and reinvigorate the rest of Main Street and all of Toledo."
Future Toledo ART projects include art events, Main Street beautification work and a new mural program.
“This project directly aligns with our organization's mission to inspire travel and strengthen collaboration to create and steward a sustainable coastal economy,” said Jesse Dolin, a destination coordinator with the Oregon Coast Visitors Association. “ART Toledo will help highlight Toledo's vibrant art community, drawing visitors to discover this off-the-beaten path, wonderful downtown experience; one full of art, culture, history, open public spaces and beautiful waterfront views.”
For more information, go to ARTToledo.com or the ArtToledoOR page on Facebook.