Photos from the news conference have been posted to Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/townofchapelhill/
CHAPEL HILL -- Frank has attitude. Frank commands attention. Frank speaks up and speaks out, letting the world know there is a vibrant arts community in the Triangle, whose epicenter just happens to be at 109 E. Franklin St.
Gathering on Monday, Dec. 14, to announce Frank -- the name selected for a new arts gallery that is opening at the former Kerr Drug Building -- were Chapel Hill Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt, local developer Michael Brader-Araje, members of the Franklin Street Arts Collective, and gallery director Barbara Rich.
“Championing downtown has been a long-standing goal of the Town Council,” said Mayor Kleinschmidt. “We are pleased to use our newly established loan program to help enhance downtown economic development. Supporting the arts is a key component of our efforts to enliven and invigorate downtown Chapel Hill.”
A non-profit group of 25 artists has formed a 501c3 non-profit artists collective, and with the Town of Chapel Hill’s assistance, has signed a lease agreement with Michael Brader-Araje to establish the gallery. The Town of Chapel Hill, in conjunction with the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership, approved the $40,000 loan to fund the collective through its Small Art Business Loan Program. The cooperative is envisioned as supporting the Chapel Hill creative class while significantly boosting commerce downtown.
Franklin Street Arts Collective Board Chairman Gordon Jameson said the gallery is 3,400 square feet of space that will be operated by 25 member artists and include another 50 regional and national artists. The gallery is made possible through these 25 artists with support from the Town, the County’s arts and tourism directors and several leaders in economic development.
Also on Monday, the group unveiled the logo and brand for Frank, which was designed pro bono by local advertising agency Jennings and Co. Jennings describes Frank as "bold, just like this innovative project to bring new energy and diversity to downtown Chapel Hill.”
The gallery will feature a diverse collection of varied art forms and is expected to open in early 2010.
For more information about the gallery and the arts collective, contact Barbara Rich at 919-636-4135 or info@frankisart.com. To learn more about the economic development efforts in downtown Chapel Hill, contact Dwight Bassett, economic development officer for the Town of Chapel Hill, at dbassett@townofchapelhill.org or 919-969-5010. Materials related to the art collective are located online at www.townofchapelhill.org/economic_development.