Brush Fire THE DOWNTOWN ARTSPACE PROVIDES ROOM FOR ARTISTS TO PRODUCE AND PRESENT by Jill Nussbaum graphic by Allison Devers If you haven't heard by now, it is about time that you do -- new and exciting things are happening with young art at the Downtown Artspace. What is the Downtown Artspace? Well, as the name suggests, it is a work and gallery space, located in the basement of the Jefferson Theater. Several different artists work in the space, headed by 1996 U.Va. graduate Jen Fariello. It houses a fully-equipped darkroom open to anyone willing to pay either ten bucks a day or fifty-five dollars a month, and it also serves as a gallery for art shows. Most importantly, the space offers many valuable opportunities for young artists to produce and show their work. Fariello, like many other graduates of the U.Va. Art Department, found herself without studio space last summer. So she rented the basement, built a darkroom, and solicited some fellow graduates to work there too. What seemed originally a temporary work area developed into something more permanent. As Fariello's friends began to come down and hang out and more artists began to work there, they sparked a creative energy. Their work in the space gathered momentum and the artists decided to have a show. With her experience as an intern at Gallery Neo and Fayerweather Hall, Fariello set up a show which was a huge success, selling over $400 worth of art. The artists and the surrounding community began to realize the full potential of the artspace as both a creative source and a career opportunity. Today, things at the art space are run a little more professionally. Art shows are preceded by flyers, postcards, and press releases, and the space has a business license and a bank account. These changes, however, in no way hinder the thriving creativity found there. Artists from all walks of life use the space, ranging from teenagers to adults in their 30s and 40s. Fariello links the youthful atmosphere to the fact that work is always in progress; anyone can walk in and see art being made. This unique aspect of the Downtown Artspace sets it apart from other galleries. Thus, when people come to see an art show, they tap into a world of progressive young talent. Far from being a conventional gallery, the artspace exhibits various forms of art -- you can find paintings, photographs, prints, monotypes, videos, musical performances, and poetry readings within the walls of the gallery room. Almost any form of creativity can be presented, from images projected on the ceiling to digital ambient music -- art is interpreted in the broadest sense of the term. The crowd at the shows is as diverse as the work being shown. The older Bozart, Gallery crowd mixes with younger artists and students to create more of a social atmosphere. You can have a drink, eat some food, listen to live music, and watch videos. Just last Friday, April 4th, an art show entitled "Mélange" was held, featuring a broad range of work from several different artists. Ben Kulo's arresting photographic imagery hung on the walls directly across from Jeremy Davies' Japanese prints. Large drawings by Mora Doern featured soft female figures, each woman occupying the large blank space differently. Cassidy Sickmen, a six-year-old girl, displayed drawings (several done in marker) which added an unconventional twist to the show. For these young artists, the Downtown Artspace promises an opportunity for their work to be seen and discussed. Kulo, a fourth-year art major who believes that it is a good venue to show work and get a reaction says, "... it helps to re-motivate and stimulate me." While many students show work at places like Espresso Corner and Higher Grounds, Kulo prefers to use the Artspace where art is the focal point, not a secondary attraction. Other U.Va. art students share Kulo's sentiments and can attest to the advantages of the downtown space. Elizabeth Stark likes the space's accessibility to students and chance for unrecognized artists to be seen and heard. Another fourth-year art major, Jacques de Beaufort, appreciates the community-oriented aspect of the space and the way it brings young artists together. De Beaufort commented, "Strange happenings are always occurring there that bring everyone together, for example, the nude photo shoot I had awhile back -- nowhere else could I have done it." Due to the positive reactions of young artists and the community, Fariello has increased her efforts to maintain and improve the space. One of her long-term goals is to set up a silk- screening area for all the artists to use. She also plans to offer classes if enough people express interest. Kathryn Horn, a fourth-year art major, intends to teach a pinhole photography work-shop. She likes the downtown space because it allows people to obtain immediate photographic results. Horn remarked, "It will be neat to take pictures of architecture and various things on the Downtown Mall and then go down the Artspace's dark-room facilities and see what you got." Art discussions are another activity under development for this spring. Ivan Castaņeda, who has been involved with U.Va.'s Art History department for the past five years, intends to hold intellectual art discussions in the space. And with such immediate success, the multi-purpose function of the artspace promises many innovative programs to come. The artspace is a message to all young artists: take advantage of this opportunity to make your work known. Participate in the youth-driven community that thrives at the Artspace. Educate yourself through the programs and classes offered. And for those of you who appreciate and are interested in art -- come to the Downtown Artspace and check it out. It will definitely be worth your while.

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