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Youth art show spices up Main Street gallery
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Students from Dobson Montessori School, Serena Cueva, 12, center, and Joy Nachman, 12, hang their artwork inside the 101 Gallery on Main Street in Mesa for a showing Friday.
Tim Hacker, Tribune
Emily Zwier knows gluing chicken bones to a painting is kind of gruesome. But she thought it would be a good way to symbolize one of her passions: saving cheetahs.
“Cheetahs are dying,” she said. “Even in 20 years they might be extinct.”
Emily, 13, is one of the students at Dobson Montessori School in Mesa who will be featured tonight in a downtown art show.
The show is at 101 Gallery, owned by Dobson Montessori teachers Trevor and Suzanne Woodford.
Each student chose a social cause to represent with art. The proceeds from the show will benefit a charity of the students’ choosing. The students and representatives from the charities will be available to greet the crowd.
The youth art show is just one of the ways Trevor Woodford is turning heads at 101 W. Main St.
He’s one of the first participants in the West Mesa Community Development Corporation’s facade improvement program and plans to make some big changes.
The facade program uses grants from companies such as State Farm and help from Local Initiative Support Corporation, a national organization that helps local groups revitalize communities.
West Mesa CDC Executive Director Dave Richins said he tries to meet business owners about halfway with funds.
The money doesn’t pay for everything, but is meant to give shop owners a boost.
“It’s really driven from the businesses, it’s not driven by us,” Richins said.
In Woodford’s case, the original plan was to place a sign on the building. With help from the CDC, he can add lighting on the outdoor patio, planters and seating.
“We’re paying for most of it,” Woodford said. “The grant will supplement and help take the burden off.”
The 101 Gallery has been taking off since it started about nine months ago, Woodford said.
Each month features a different artist, and Woodford plans to host classes, music performances and a swing dance night.
Richins said things like facade improvements have a domino effect.
A better building can lead to higher rent and more community events in the 101 Gallery.
“Businesses look clean and new, and the area starts getting perceived differently,” he said.
Art exhibit
What: “Picture a Better World” art exhibit
When: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. today
Where: 101 Gallery, 101 W. Main St.
Also: Live music and snacks provided
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