- Therese Perreault
Therese Perreault started Arts Marketplace so local artists could have a place at the economic-development table in downtown Tucson. The nonprofit teaches business development to artists and creative entrepreneurs. Through her work, Perreault met five Tucson women involved in downtown and local arts—Nancy Abens, Victoria Falcone, Jackie Lyle, Julie Ray and Monica Surfaro Spigelman—who decided they wanted to work together to do more downtown. This month, they opened Crafted: An Urban Design Space, at 40 W. Broadway Blvd. Inspired by the book and documentary Handmade Nation, they want to showcase handmade arts and build community. For more info, visit artsmarketplace.org or www.craftedtucson.com.
How did the idea start?
For me, I want to be around artists, and I think the world is a better place when there are more artists around. But how it actually started was that Julie (Ray) and I went to Phoenix for (the event) Crafts, Coffee and Cookies. We met Kate Benjamin, who has a cool handmade (website) effort called Modern Cat. She loves it and is a happy person. She told us to buy the book Handmade Nation, by Faythe Levine. Both of us got the documentary and the book, and it is incredibly inspiring.
The space is where you’ve had the Arts Marketplace gallery. How will things change?
The fun part of the space that faces Broadway will be Crafted, and another room in the back will allow me to continue to do gallery work and work with artists on their shows for Arts Marketplace.
What are the criteria for the artists at Crafted?
The criteria are very subjective. … We’re just trying it on, but I’m sure as the months go by, our criteria will get more focused. We ask ourselves, “Is it unique? Is it something people would buy? Is it an affordable and sustainable design?” Each item will have a story card that will tell you how we found them, which one of us did, and what interested us in the artist.
Community Foundation Awards Collaborative Grant to Help Low-Income Minority Artists Become Economically Successful
Read about how Arts Marketplace wins award from Community Foundation and Ford
CFSA-Ford Grant Awards Final 09-12-02
Arts Marketplace
Marrying Creativity & Business Savvy
The membership-based initiative provides business planning, professional development, networking opportunities and future retail/gallery space, all in one location. But what drives Perrault is having a supportive and inspirational place for artists – whether the arts are their career or avocation.
A photographer with a master’s degree in business management, Perrault started the Community Storytelling Arts studio in April 2008, located at El Centro Cultural de Las Americas in the historic C.O. Brown House, 40 W. Broadway Blvd., where Arts Marketplace also resides.
This is a place for artists to “unleash their creative potential,” explains Perrault. “I’m the conduit.” In September, she teamed up with Julie Ray, a local graphic designer, who refers to herself as the endeavor’s “champion.”
For the next four months, Arts Marketplace will be in launch mode, says Perrault. Arts Marketplace held its first informational meeting on April 16, which Steven Derks of Gallery 801 attended. “What can I do to help you?” asked Derks, who is involved with the Tucson Revivalist Artists Collective, another burgeoning local arts initiative.
“We want feedback from artists,” Perrault explicated. “Artists are creative entrepreneurs. This isn’t about helping poor starving artists. That’s not what this is.
“We’re hoping that businesses will partner with artists and host exhibit openings in their shops,” she said. For Perrault and other Arts Marketplace participating artists, new ideas for collaboration, mentoring, sharing research — and defining what success means for each individual – will help foster a more vibrant arts community in Tucson.
The next Arts Marketplace informational meetings are on Tuesday, May 26 at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., 40 W. Broadway Blvd. (between Church Avenue and Stone Avenue).
The organization kicks off its “Twilight Summer Series” on Thursday, May 28 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The art reception-cum-fundraiser features work by local artists, entertainment and refreshments, and happens at 40 W. Broadway Blvd.
For more information, contact Therese Perrault at 882-3988, via email at artsmarketplace@gmail.com or visit www.ArtsMarketPlace.org
