Minerva’s Market Street Art Spot reaches 15-year milestone

Minerva’s Market Street Art Spot celebrated its 15th anniversary Feb. 13, marking a milestone for what has become one of the longest-running independent art galleries in the region.

The anniversary open house featured new work by resident artists, artwork from roughly two dozen additional artists and live music by Dr. Tom Freeland. The event was sponsored by the Minerva YMCA, one of many local organizations that have supported the gallery over the years.

The idea for the Art Spot began in 2011 with resident artist Marty Chapman.

Chapman said the concept took shape during a conversation with then Arts in Stark Director Rob Hankins while Chapman was exhibiting work at Second April Gallery in Canton.

“I said, you know, I think I’d like to see a little gallery down in Minerva,” Chapman said. “I had a building that was going to be vacant before long, and I was thinking about putting in a gallery there.”

With encouragement, Chapman put out a call for artists, and six local artists formed the original group. They included Laura Donnelly, Michelle Mulligan, Joanne Henninger, Sally Lytle and Chapman. Each brought a different medium such as pottery, oil painting, plein air painting, watercolor and wood turning creating a diverse, all-original gallery from the start.

The gallery originally opened in a building Chapman owned on Market Street. After he sold the building, the Art Spot remained there for an additional five years before relocating down the street. It has been in its current space at 113 N. Market St. for nearly three years.

Chapman said when the gallery opened, he hoped it might last a year.

“As it turns out, we are the longest-running art gallery in Stark County other than municipal galleries like the Canton Museum of Art,” he said. “We are the only gallery that actually sells original art.”

Michelle Mulligan, one of three original members still with the gallery along with Chapman and Laura Donnelly, said the Art Spot was created in part to help energize downtown Minerva.

“I guess we were interested in downtown Minerva when we first opened in 2011 and sort of being a catalyst to bringing some life back into the village,” Mulligan said. “I think we were pretty good about that.”

Over the years, the Art Spot has hosted a featured artist reception every month complete with live music. Chapman said Freeland has performed at the February reception every year since the beginning, dating back to the gallery’s first featured opening.

“We couldn’t have done it without the support of a bunch of businesses and people,” Chapman said, noting that local businesses, civic groups and individuals have sponsored monthly openings throughout the gallery’s 15-year run.

Mulligan echoed that sentiment.

“We couldn’t have done it without a lot of community support,” she said. “It’s pretty rewarding to know that we’re still here.”

Though attendance has fluctuated over the years, Chapman said artwork from the gallery has been purchased by buyers from across the country and around the world.

“I’ve never had anyone come in here from out of town who hasn’t said what a gem it is,” he said.

Today, the gallery has eight resident artists: Mulligan, Chapman, Donnelly, Susan Crawford, Anne Richeson Scanlon, Anna Rather, Judie Singer and Therese Cook.

In addition to its downtown presence, the Art Spot maintains artwork on display at St. Luke’s and continues to host its monthly Second Friday receptions featuring original work by local artists.

Fifteen years after a simple idea and a vacant building sparked its creation, the Market Street Art Spot remains a staple of the Village of Minerva, dedicated to showcasing original art and serving the community that helped sustain it.

Market Street Art Spot, 113 N. Market St., is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Second Friday receptions extend hours to 9 p.m.