DIY art spaces pop up in unexpected spots across the country

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Cutting edge art isn’t limited to big cities and large cultural institutions. Creative work can be found across the country in small towns and artist-run spaces, says Jason Andrew, who curated an exhibit on contemporary Appalachian art that just opened at the new Asheville Art Museum in North Carolina, ashevilleart.org. “These are really DIY, do-it-yourself type spaces. You’re right there where all the creative juices are working and flowing.” He shares some favorite spots with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY.

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Granary Arts, Ephraim, Utah

Art flourishes in remote central Utah thanks to artists based in a historic granary building on the high plains. “It’s in a very exciting space. It’s really in the desert. There’s nothing there,” says Andrew, a Utah native. Founded by two friends, it enriches the community with workshops, musical performances and art installations.

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Popps Packing, Hamtramck, Michigan

This group founded by a husband and wife, has brought international artists and quirky shows and events to a neighborhood just north of Detroit. Housed in a former meat-packing plant, it serves a community with immigrants from places like Yemen, Armenia, Turkey and Ukraine, offering a tool-lending library and meeting spaces, along with gallery openings and shows.

 
 
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Fiendish Plots, Lincoln, Nebraska

From Buddhist paintings made from rose petals to art inspired by workplace immigration raids, this gallery and exhibition space embraces the ephemeral and the contemporary. Run by an artist couple, it also offers workshops, performances, screenings, readings and artist talks.

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Collar Works, Troy, New York

Artists have brought new life to a former industrial building in upstate New York. The collective, named for the city’s once-prominent shirt collar factories, got its start mounting pop-ups and shows in empty industrial spaces. It has helped lead the revival of the area, Andrew says, hosting often edgy art installations and theater productions.

 
 
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Marmot Art Space, Spokane, Washington

Located in the hip Kendall Yards neighborhood, this “white cube” gallery focuses on emerging local artists, but has a polished vibe, Andrew says. It attracts crowds on the first Friday of every month when it opens new exhibits. “The walls are well painted, the lighting will be perfect. It’s a little more sophisticated.”


Peter Freeby

I design and build books, periodicals, brand materials, websites and marketing for a range of artists, non profits and educational programs including Elizabeth Murray, Jack Tworkov, Edith Schloss, Janice Biala, Joan Witek, George McNeil, Judy Dolnick, Jordan Eagles, John Silvis, Diane Von Furstenberg, The Generations Project, The Koch Institute, The McCandlish Phillips Journalism Institute and the Dow Jones News Fund.

https://peterfreeby.com
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