Who you gonna call?
In the classic movie, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” Holly Golightly dons her poshest frock, grabs a croissant and a cup of coffee and goes window shopping in the wee hours of the morning to combat what she calls the “mean reds.”
And you can chase away your reds, blues or any other mood color by window gazing at Toledo’s Main Street Phantom Galleries.
The small, temporary art galleries were created in vacant storefronts to allow visitors to enjoy the works of local and regional artists in a COVID-safe environment. The galleries not only enliven Toledo’s Main Street but showcase available street — level storefronts that are ripe for new business development.
Public viewing of the third round of Phantom Galleries will continue until early spring. The participating artists are Beth Kattleman, Calisse Browne, Richard Laycock, Darryl Baird and Cassandra Brandt.
“The Phantom Galleries showcase the power of our region’s creative economy,” said Paul Schuytema, executive director of the Economic Development Alliance of Lincoln County. “These artists are truly grass-roots entrepreneurs. The Phantom Gallery spaces become their storefronts, but also help to showcase new business opportunities in downtown Toledo. It’s a win-win all around.”
Each gallery has information about the artist, their displayed work and how it can be purchased as well as the commercial space and its amenities. QR codes allow visitors to scan and then visit the artist’s page on ARTToledo.com or learn more about the potential of the commercial spaces.
Phantom Galleries are a part of the city’s new Art Revitalization of Toledo initiative which includes the summer event series “Art, Oysters and Brews,” grants for downtown beautification and outdoor dining and a soon-to-be-launched mural program.
The program is overseen by a committee of engaged citizens, local businesses and nonprofits. Members include: the Timbers Restaurant and Lounge, Crow’s Nest Gallery, Port of Toledo, the Economic Development Alliance of Lincoln County, Yaquina Pacific Railroad Historical Society, Michael Gibbons Gallery, Yaquina River Museum of Art, Oregon Coast Visitors Association, Toledo High School, Toledo Chamber of Commerce, local artists and members of the community.
For more information, go to ARTToledo.com or email rachael@sequoiaconsulting.org.