AURORA -- Sharon Ann moved to Aurora in October. She's a watercolor artist and a photographer, so the first thing she did was look up the city's Public Art Commission, hoping to find like-minded people to collaborate with.
But when she drove down to the David L. Pierce Art and History Center on Downer Place, she was dismayed to find a "closed" sign on the door.
(Marianne Mather/Staff Photographer)
"I was shocked," she said. "That's not something you expect to close."
But city layoffs in September forced Public Art Director Rena Church to lock the doors, stuck without anyone to man the museum shop and help her run the galleries. The city handed layoff notices to more than 60 people, including Church's entire staff, in an attempt to stave off a projected $19 million budget deficit looming for 2010.
With the help of some hardy volunteers, however, the center reopened Wednesday afternoon. Church said the shop will open on a limited basis -- Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, from noon to 4 p.m. -- and art classes would begin again as well.
The upstairs galleries are currently showing works by the Aurora Art League, the same exhibit that was on the walls when the center closed. Church said the Art League had "graciously allowed us to extend the show."
The shop will be manned, for the time being, by Evelyn Rackmyer, who worked for the Public Art Commission for 10 years before being laid off. Church said Rackmyer was "back the next day," looking to see how she could help out.
"I love it here," Rackmyer said of her volunteer efforts. "I love the history, and the idea of this shop, and I think it's wonderful when we're able to take artwork from local artists and put it on display."
You'll find fewer local works in the store now, since all the consignment pieces by local artists were returned. During the Aurora ArtWalk last month, Church and her volunteers also sold off much of the store's inventory.
Church is also unsure what the future holds. The 2010 budget is expected this month, and with city leaders intent on cutting "non-essential" services, Church is bracing for another hit. She said the economy has already taken its toll -- the Art Commission had 14 shows in 2008, but only six in 2009.
"But at least we're open," she said.
That's a sentiment Sharon Ann shares. On Wednesday, she finally got to go inside the Art and History Center and meet Church. And she hopes this is a new beginning.
"I hope it continues to be a source of inspiration for area artists," she said. "It's a connection people need."