The tide rolls out, the tide comes back in.

Lots of closings around town lately, and people moving on.   So sad.   But there is new growth as well, buds of activity and new operating models.   Two new galleries are opening; one, Heather James, I’ve mentioned and will write more about soon.

The other is a gallery with good potential for locals:  MADE. (Brilliant name!)  It opens soon, in Gaslight Alley, just down from Valley Books and Brookover Photography, across the alley from Crazy Horse Native American Jewelry and next door to Bet the Ranch.

MADE’s proprietor is John Frechette, owner of Strapped, his own line of belt buckles fashioned from colorful, translucent fused glass.  Frechette plans to load up the shop with handmade “products from around the country.”  I take that to mean his goods are manufactured in America.

Frechette’s space will be home to Strappedglass.com.  It will also be a new venue for local artists, with space dedicated to local work.  Frechette plans to feature local artists on a rotating basis, spotlighting products for week-long intervals during peak tourist seasons.  Artist “weeks” begin Thursdays and end the following Wednesday.  Opening night parties happen on Thursdays too.   Frechette says it’s mandatory for artists to attend their own opening nights, but they are not required to be on premises for the full week.

Artists need to apply to Frechette to be considered.   Those who are scheduled pay $175 rent for the week, and all sale proceeds go directly to the artist; no commission is paid to MADE.   The fee also pays for opening night refreshments, e-invites and flyers advertising the event.  Extra ads beyond what MADE supplies are at the expense of the artist.

Interested?  Contact Frechette by emailing him:   info@strappedbelts.com. Provide the following information:  Name, Business Name, Website, Mailing address, Phone, email, estimated number of invitees for your opening night, and your first three choices for an exhibition week.

Hurry, because as you might imagine, slots are filling fast.

A phone number has also been supplied:   307.690.9019

At this writing, May 20-27 is the first available artist exhibition week; Frechette has dates available into September, 2010.

Item #2

The Cultural Council of Jackson Hole has announced that 2010 Arts for All grant applications are currently available.   The Cultural Council is a non-profit arts organization that “strives to bring together arts and cultural organizations that are supporting the communication, collaboration, and promotion of cultural life in our valley…”   The Council administers the program.

Grants are available to both arts and culture organizations and individual artists.   All!

Potential grant awards are generous.  Up to $6,000 may be awarded to either an individual or a group, but all grants must be matched 1:1 by the applicant.   Arts for All distributes social service tax dollars from the Town of Jackson and Teton County for arts education, says the Cultural Council’s Alissa Davies. The program’s mission includes “producing and presenting opportunities and public projects by artists that have a strong community benefit.”

Completed applications are due by June 1, 2010; there are no exceptions for late applicants.

Davies notes that no support will be provided to organizations already receiving public support from Town or County funds. Arts for All funds are allocated to the Cultural Council at the discretion of the Jackson Town Council and the Teton County Board of Commissioners.

Davies emphasizes that there are no guarantees elected officials will fund beyond this cycle.

For more information about the Arts for All program, to receive an application and guidelines, or for information about the Cultural Council, please contact Alissa Davies at 307.690.4757,  or email culturalcounciljh@gmail.com.