LAKEPORT — The first Lakeport installation of a local artist”s work in a vacant store recently became a reality thanks to the cooperation of the newly formed Lake County Artists group, the building”s owner, Ross Kauper; and the Lakeport Main Street Association (LMSA). The photography of Chelsea Collett can now be seen in the window of 165 N. Main St. in Lakeport.
“Our goal is to see every vacant store in downtown Lakeport displaying an area artist”s work,” Barbara Breunig, president of the LMSA Board of Directors, said. “Sometimes it”s not easy convincing a property owner to cooperate, but Ross is 100 percent behind the idea, which helped us get the display installed quickly.”
The project represents another step in fulfilling the dream of Sherry Harris and Linda Kelly, two artists who said they want to see vacant storefronts throughout the county filled with the work of local artists. The two approached the LMSA Design Committee earlier this year and received an enthusiastic response from the group. It was then a matter of finding a property owner willing to allow an artist access to the property.
The program is designed to give exposure to Lake County artists while protecting the rights of the property owners. Each artist enters into an agreement that stipulates a display will be removed within 48 hours of an owner”s request. The artist also signs a hold harmless agreement that protects the property owner from liability should there be any damage to the artwork.
More than 25 artists are available through the program and more are being added. Lake County Artists” first installation was in Kelseyville. Lakeport has now joined in and another installation is planned in Clearlake.
For more information about the artists group, contact Linda Kelly at 274-2346 or thegourdgallery@yahoo.com; or Sherry Harris at 350-2116 or swharris@jps.net.
