First Street Gallery abides

In response, with direction from the First Street Gallery Advisory Board, Bentley prepared a counter report with a “focus on student sentiment and public opinion.” Included among numerous letters of support from the community was one from HSU Professor Emeritus Lou Marak stating, “I feel very strongly that the First Street Gallery is an essential contributor to the aesthetic, educational and cultural needs of our community.” Artist and community member Lori Goodman said, “I am terribly distraught over rumors that Humboldt State may close the First Street Gallery. First Street not only showcases local artists and faculty, but in bringing in outsiders serves as an educational vehicle for the community.”

And of course there was support from another important contingent: the students. HSU students benefit from the gallery in a number of ways. Many of the Studio Art majors find their first experience with a professional gallery there. For those in the Museum Practices program, there is no better learning lab. Students can intern or get a paid job at the gallery (you must be an HSU student to work there).

“Learning about the space in which your artwork will be presented and sold is a really valuable experience,” said Camille Zazou, an artist who works at First Street as a student assistant. “You know what’s expected of your work and of you if you’re going to be showing in galleries.”

Zazou was one of 384 students who signed a petition included in Bentley’s report. It’s hard to say if it was the community and student uproar that did it, but the university seems to have decided against acting on the UBC recommendation, at least for now.

According to Serena Zelezny from HSU’s public affairs department, “The First Street Gallery will remain as is. It’s receiving a small budget cut like everybody else [13 percent to be exact], but we are going to continue to fund it and there are no future plans to do anything different.”

“We will not be shut down,” said a relieved Bentley.

This is not the first time the gallery has dealt with budget cuts, so we can hope that it will weather this storm as it has in the past.

Want to verify the importance of First Street Gallery? Ask the artists about it at the reception for the Young Alumni 2007 show during Arts Alive! this Saturday from 6-9 p.m. The show runs through Aug. 5. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Sunday, noon until 5 p.m. Admission is free. First Street Gallery is located at 422 First Street in Old Town Eureka.

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