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NARRATOR: Right from the start, Art Alley in Lansing’s REO Town began in an unconventional
way.
TOM STEWART: But why we named it Art Alley is because across the street the alley used
to continue all the way through here and this used to be two separate buildings.
And at one point in the 1920’s they connected them.
But what you see on the wall when you come into Art Alley are the original 1910’s;
they didn’t have billboards; the original advertisements, and it’s all original paint.
NARRATOR: Art Alley wants to move creative works of budding artists from their garages
to the gallery. It’s a place for non-juried artists; people whose work has not been pre-approved
or rejected by a panel.
STEWART: As far as the selection process, our creative director Diane Wilson does most
of that, but we’re very, very loose.
Most of it is about appropriateness; we accept nudity and everything like that, but not blatant.
She mostly just makes sure it’s going to be appropriate for the setting, for events
that we’re having in that month, and that’s basically it.
NARRATOR: Like much of REO Town, Art Alley has an eye towards growth.
Plans call for expanding into an adjacent building, which will double the gallery’s
size. The challenge now is raising the capital.
STEWART: So, we just want to make sure we can secure the next three years.
We’re looking for title sponsors at $25,000 right now to secure for three years; $25,000
per year for three years.
And really, we just need one to be successful, but we’ll take multiple so we can continue
to expand.