The Artists’ Gallery fosters community among local creatives

CHLOE LEGAY

The Artists’ Gallery has been a presence in Flagstaff culture since its founding in 1992. While there is a plethora of galleries located downtown, The Artists’ Gallery stands out because of the creative community it facilitates.

The gallery, which is located on North San Francisco Street, hosts a variety of artists. These include works from local photographers, ceramicists, painters, jewelers and craftsmen.

Every month, the gallery features three artists whose work is shown in the window display. During the First Friday ArtWalk, visitors have the opportunity to meet the featured artists and ask questions about their work.

The artists for February included woodworker Eric Kruse who carves designs into reclaimed and recycled wood and ceramicist Chas Frisco who uses clay for his various creations like bowls, mugs and abstract sculptures.

Elias Marshall, the final featured artist, creates sculptures and wall art depicting scenery from the American southwest using copper and steel materials. Marshall joined the gallery over a year ago and said since then, he said he has improved his artistic skills.

“Being a member of a gallery where I’m actually selling fairly well has made me practice a lot more and hone my craft,” Marshall said. “I’m getting a lot better about it and more confident about selling.”

Marshall said he also benefited from building relationships with other artists in the gallery.

“There’s many different artists here and we all get to know each other,” Marshall said. “A few of the people here have acted as teachers or mentors, giving me advice on how to elevate my level of professionalism.”

Because of this experience, Marshall said he has accomplished many of his professional goals.

“My end goal is to be a full-time artist and I’m much further along the way with that than when I joined a year and a quarter ago because of some of the people who are members here who have been doing it longer and have given me good advice,” Marshall said.

The Artists’ Gallery fosters community between its artists. Silversmith Stephen Yazzie, who has been a member of the gallery for six years, said this is partly due to it being a coop.

“We all cooperate and divvy up running the gallery all together,” Yazzie said. “We don’t outsource people to market or run the gallery. We all have separate committees that the artists all join in.”

Yazzie said this structure not only lowers the cost of running the business, which in turn lowers the gallery’s commission price, but also encourages the artists to build strong relationships with each other.

By building these connections, artists have been able to create art together by using their different crafts.

“We’re running the gallery as a business but I think it goes a little deeper too,” Yazzie said. “We all watch over each other, and I think that’s why a lot of times the artists love to collaborate. When we get a new element to work with other artists, it opens a whole new door for opportunities.”

One of Yazzie’s responsibilities as a member of the co-op is to set up the jewelry displays.

Yazzie’s own work is displayed alongside the work of his father, Tom Yazzie. Both artists create silver and turquoise jewelry influenced by their Diné heritage.

“I started at the gallery because I was introduced by my father. He did jewelry for a few years before I did,” Yazzie said. “He was already part of the gallery for about two to three years, and he said ‘hey you should join the gallery.’”

Another artist whose work can be found in the gallery is Sonja London-Hall, a sculptor who has been part of the gallery for 20 years. She uses glass and other materials to create different sculptures.

London-Hall said the late Stuart Wolf, who founded Flagstaff Art in the Park encouraged her to join the gallery.

“He recognized talent and supported developing artists all over Flagstaff,” LondonHall said. “The gallery has been a huge support and home base as a local. The gallery gave me courage to try new things and branch out.”

Since joining The Artists’ Gallery, she has gained national recognition for her art. London-Hall, also an educator, encourages creativity amongst her students.

“I encourage everyone to follow their creative instincts.” London-Hall said. “Art is fulfilling. Art is community. Art is necessary.”

For over two decades, The Artists’ Gallery has been a staple to Flagstaff’s art scene. By providing a supportive environment for local artists to enhance their craft, the gallery represents the town’s value of being a hub for creativity and community.