| CCA Gallery History For Members |
INFORMATION
CONCERNING HISTORY OF CCA GALLERY
AS REMEMBERED BY ELAINE C. WOLFE
At one time CCA was located on the north side of the canal in an old renovated
house in Broad Ripple on Ferguson Street near 64th Street, which the co-op
outgrew within four years. In subsequent years The Hoosier Salon, I believe,
started in the same house after CCA moved out. While I was not a member of
the gallery at that time, I remember members speaking about the location later
selected as being superior to the first location. The second location was at
6263 Carrollton Avenue in Broad Ripple Village just north of the Broad Ripple
Post Office. Across from this location was a huge parking lot which made for
lots of foot traffic along Carrollton of customers going up to Broad Ripple
Avenue to shop. This was the location when I became a member. While CCA
was in Broad Ripple, the village itself changed from being a small-town
atmosphere of shoppers, walking and browsing throughout daylight hours, to
an evening location for young people, wishing to drink and mingle, and bars and
restaurants became the predominant businesses. The gallery changed from a
predominantly walk-in venue to one where patrons came only to purchase art
during daylight hours.
Artists in the gallery met once a month to change out the artwork, socialize
with refreshments provided by one or two members, talk about and educate
each other about artwork and media, and encourage each other in their
endeavors. Since the gallery was located in a narrow building, pegboard lined
the walls, a feature area was separated by divider walls, and art was hung
according to colors, subject matter, and media. Only in the last years in Broad
Ripple was there an attempt to hang each artist’s work separately. The feature
artist/s always had at least one painting, sculpture, or pottery in the window.
The gallery was for the most part a place where beginning artists could be
encouraged to grow before moving on to their own gallery or other gallery
taking large commissions. CCA was always a no commission, artist-paid
fee/month, and cooperative effort with workdays and other duties shared. To
become a member of the gallery, one had to submit samples of work in the
medium under consideration, to present themselves to the membership, and to
express reasons why they wished to become a member. Membership was
achieved by a majority vote of current membership in order to improve quality
of work being offered to the public.
Four of the original members were: Liz Schneider, Jean Unversaw, Ann Kane,
and Tom Thomas. Mr. Thomas is credited with being the first charter member
who secured a gallery in which to rent space. Elizabeth, Liz, Schneider was
responsible for putting together the organization because she was not only a
gifted artist, but also saw the importance of representing talented artists from
the area in a gallery that offered a mix of styles to patrons. Her memory is
recognized in the gallery by an installed plaque. All of these artists were given
honorary memberships in the gallery while I was a member. I think I came into
the gallery in 1982 after moving from Pennsylvania. At that time Jane Wiley
(then a potter) was in the gallery and she knew the original members better
than I. Jane was instrumental in my becoming a member of the gallery.
The CCA Gallery continued at that address until June 11, 2002 when the
membership decided to move to Zionsville. Because of the changes in the
Broad Ripple Village, an uncooperative landlord, the increase in costs to
operate the gallery in that location, and the decrease in sales in Broad Ripple,
a committee of artists scoured the city of Indianapolis for new locations.
Several of the locations considered were Mass Ave., Nora, Fountain Square,
and Zionsville, which was settled upon. Reasons for this venue were that the
costs were the same as staying in Broad Ripple, but with an updated building
with more window and hanging space; Zionsville had the same “feel” as Broad
Ripple had had prior to that time with lots of foot traffic; and there were
numerous galleries and boutiques already in place there. The gallery was set
up and opened in time for the Zionsville June 14, 2002, Brick Street Walk
Celebration. Many of the members financially contributed to the move and did
the legwork of actually moving the gallery. As a result, the gallery was only out
of business for a two week stint during the move. The following year (2003) the
gallery celebrated its 25th year of operation as the Original and oldest Indiana
Cooperative Art Gallery. The gallery has continued in that location, 27 East
Cedar, ½ block off Main Street. In this new location each artist’s work was
hung in a separate location in the gallery which included wall- , for 2-D artists,
or shelf-space, for 3-D artists. Furthermore, 2-D artists had their own bin and
shelf under their artwork for photo album, small artworks, and card racks to
promote each individual artist. The shelves and bins were planned to give a
uniform look to the gallery while showcasing the artwork of each individual artist’
s art style and medium.
Past members of the gallery have been, in no particular order as to year or
date of entry or leaving:
Glenna Heath Jean Vietor Rob Schaefer A. J. Jenkins
Vicky White Sheryl Sommerkamp Evelyn Kiewitt Robert Sayre
Pat Huffman Barb Stark Kay Manion Rosa Marie Dies
Rena Brouwer Connie Lindman Scott Shoemaker Dixie Aull Ferrer
Kathleen Leuck Mary Ann Davis Marie Harnish Dick Ferrer
Holly Hertig Janis Scheck Sheri McBratney Carroll Sipes
Ed Frolich Peg Neal Cynthia Blasingham David Crowe
Bob Quade Martha Allis Michael Sly Donna Ozbun
Ron Mack Bonnie Short Jean Hale John Haase
Bob Eberle Clyde Foster Sue Chapman Judy Bowen
Jerry Botzum Dale Kercheval Carolyn Humpke Marilyn Eberg
Susan Baranoff Kendra Roberts Micki Eckley Sandy Ezell
Matt Blanchfield Mary Grinder Mary Lou Hoffa Michelle Milhous
Barbara Swain Chris Stuart Vesta Seville John Lefelhocz
Heather Warner Jeff Miller David Harshbarger Stephen Osborne
Lois Sinnett Tommy Sue Leeper Axi Frey Sandy deNijs
Jean Garro Jane Wiley Holly Ulrich Julie Houck
Keith Hampton Carlos deFelice Sojna Widmer Heather Pankhurst
Brenda Pace Dorothy Chase Robert Saueressig Betty Scarpino
Dodie Millholland Jean Unversaw Bob Hoshaw Carol Skinner
Liz Schneider Ann Kane Tom Thomas Peter Falk
While there may have been members whom I have missed, in looking at this list
it can be noted that the gallery has had members who have received accolades
and have moved on to other locations in the United States, in personal
galleries, or retired. Many of our members were and continue to be prize
winners in their respective media.
In 2006 a new business committee was formed to strategically plan a new
direction for the gallery. New members of the gallery had changed the focus of
the gallery from being one of a social club to a more professional atmosphere
and it was time to reflect that in how the gallery did business. One of the
changes proposed by this committee was that we drop the “cooperative
gallery” idea to one of a “professional gallery”, since the current art climate in
the United States assumes that cooperative artists who run their own gallery
are not as professional as artists represented by commission-taking galleries.
The logo of the gallery changed to: “unique art, award-winning artists, and
attractive prices”. Along with this change in focus were others: patrons, not
customers; artist owners, not artist members; consistent messages to the
community; increase in patron numbers with improved advertising, patron list,
and advertised events; partnership with the community; and improved physical
appearance. A website was developed, updated, and enlarged to further
advertise the business.
CONCERNING HISTORY OF CCA GALLERY
AS REMEMBERED BY ELAINE C. WOLFE
At one time CCA was located on the north side of the canal in an old renovated
house in Broad Ripple on Ferguson Street near 64th Street, which the co-op
outgrew within four years. In subsequent years The Hoosier Salon, I believe,
started in the same house after CCA moved out. While I was not a member of
the gallery at that time, I remember members speaking about the location later
selected as being superior to the first location. The second location was at
6263 Carrollton Avenue in Broad Ripple Village just north of the Broad Ripple
Post Office. Across from this location was a huge parking lot which made for
lots of foot traffic along Carrollton of customers going up to Broad Ripple
Avenue to shop. This was the location when I became a member. While CCA
was in Broad Ripple, the village itself changed from being a small-town
atmosphere of shoppers, walking and browsing throughout daylight hours, to
an evening location for young people, wishing to drink and mingle, and bars and
restaurants became the predominant businesses. The gallery changed from a
predominantly walk-in venue to one where patrons came only to purchase art
during daylight hours.
Artists in the gallery met once a month to change out the artwork, socialize
with refreshments provided by one or two members, talk about and educate
each other about artwork and media, and encourage each other in their
endeavors. Since the gallery was located in a narrow building, pegboard lined
the walls, a feature area was separated by divider walls, and art was hung
according to colors, subject matter, and media. Only in the last years in Broad
Ripple was there an attempt to hang each artist’s work separately. The feature
artist/s always had at least one painting, sculpture, or pottery in the window.
The gallery was for the most part a place where beginning artists could be
encouraged to grow before moving on to their own gallery or other gallery
taking large commissions. CCA was always a no commission, artist-paid
fee/month, and cooperative effort with workdays and other duties shared. To
become a member of the gallery, one had to submit samples of work in the
medium under consideration, to present themselves to the membership, and to
express reasons why they wished to become a member. Membership was
achieved by a majority vote of current membership in order to improve quality
of work being offered to the public.
Four of the original members were: Liz Schneider, Jean Unversaw, Ann Kane,
and Tom Thomas. Mr. Thomas is credited with being the first charter member
who secured a gallery in which to rent space. Elizabeth, Liz, Schneider was
responsible for putting together the organization because she was not only a
gifted artist, but also saw the importance of representing talented artists from
the area in a gallery that offered a mix of styles to patrons. Her memory is
recognized in the gallery by an installed plaque. All of these artists were given
honorary memberships in the gallery while I was a member. I think I came into
the gallery in 1982 after moving from Pennsylvania. At that time Jane Wiley
(then a potter) was in the gallery and she knew the original members better
than I. Jane was instrumental in my becoming a member of the gallery.
The CCA Gallery continued at that address until June 11, 2002 when the
membership decided to move to Zionsville. Because of the changes in the
Broad Ripple Village, an uncooperative landlord, the increase in costs to
operate the gallery in that location, and the decrease in sales in Broad Ripple,
a committee of artists scoured the city of Indianapolis for new locations.
Several of the locations considered were Mass Ave., Nora, Fountain Square,
and Zionsville, which was settled upon. Reasons for this venue were that the
costs were the same as staying in Broad Ripple, but with an updated building
with more window and hanging space; Zionsville had the same “feel” as Broad
Ripple had had prior to that time with lots of foot traffic; and there were
numerous galleries and boutiques already in place there. The gallery was set
up and opened in time for the Zionsville June 14, 2002, Brick Street Walk
Celebration. Many of the members financially contributed to the move and did
the legwork of actually moving the gallery. As a result, the gallery was only out
of business for a two week stint during the move. The following year (2003) the
gallery celebrated its 25th year of operation as the Original and oldest Indiana
Cooperative Art Gallery. The gallery has continued in that location, 27 East
Cedar, ½ block off Main Street. In this new location each artist’s work was
hung in a separate location in the gallery which included wall- , for 2-D artists,
or shelf-space, for 3-D artists. Furthermore, 2-D artists had their own bin and
shelf under their artwork for photo album, small artworks, and card racks to
promote each individual artist. The shelves and bins were planned to give a
uniform look to the gallery while showcasing the artwork of each individual artist’
s art style and medium.
Past members of the gallery have been, in no particular order as to year or
date of entry or leaving:
Glenna Heath Jean Vietor Rob Schaefer A. J. Jenkins
Vicky White Sheryl Sommerkamp Evelyn Kiewitt Robert Sayre
Pat Huffman Barb Stark Kay Manion Rosa Marie Dies
Rena Brouwer Connie Lindman Scott Shoemaker Dixie Aull Ferrer
Kathleen Leuck Mary Ann Davis Marie Harnish Dick Ferrer
Holly Hertig Janis Scheck Sheri McBratney Carroll Sipes
Ed Frolich Peg Neal Cynthia Blasingham David Crowe
Bob Quade Martha Allis Michael Sly Donna Ozbun
Ron Mack Bonnie Short Jean Hale John Haase
Bob Eberle Clyde Foster Sue Chapman Judy Bowen
Jerry Botzum Dale Kercheval Carolyn Humpke Marilyn Eberg
Susan Baranoff Kendra Roberts Micki Eckley Sandy Ezell
Matt Blanchfield Mary Grinder Mary Lou Hoffa Michelle Milhous
Barbara Swain Chris Stuart Vesta Seville John Lefelhocz
Heather Warner Jeff Miller David Harshbarger Stephen Osborne
Lois Sinnett Tommy Sue Leeper Axi Frey Sandy deNijs
Jean Garro Jane Wiley Holly Ulrich Julie Houck
Keith Hampton Carlos deFelice Sojna Widmer Heather Pankhurst
Brenda Pace Dorothy Chase Robert Saueressig Betty Scarpino
Dodie Millholland Jean Unversaw Bob Hoshaw Carol Skinner
Liz Schneider Ann Kane Tom Thomas Peter Falk
While there may have been members whom I have missed, in looking at this list
it can be noted that the gallery has had members who have received accolades
and have moved on to other locations in the United States, in personal
galleries, or retired. Many of our members were and continue to be prize
winners in their respective media.
In 2006 a new business committee was formed to strategically plan a new
direction for the gallery. New members of the gallery had changed the focus of
the gallery from being one of a social club to a more professional atmosphere
and it was time to reflect that in how the gallery did business. One of the
changes proposed by this committee was that we drop the “cooperative
gallery” idea to one of a “professional gallery”, since the current art climate in
the United States assumes that cooperative artists who run their own gallery
are not as professional as artists represented by commission-taking galleries.
The logo of the gallery changed to: “unique art, award-winning artists, and
attractive prices”. Along with this change in focus were others: patrons, not
customers; artist owners, not artist members; consistent messages to the
community; increase in patron numbers with improved advertising, patron list,
and advertised events; partnership with the community; and improved physical
appearance. A website was developed, updated, and enlarged to further
advertise the business.