Artist’s Collective in Garberville Starts GoFundMe to Keep the Doors Open

From leather works to paintings to jewelry, for twenty-five years creations by local artists have lined the walls of the two-story Mateel Art Cooperative Gallery on Garberville’s main street. But, according to Kat Hart, one of the member artists, “Due to falling membership, a downturn in the  economy,  construction, and rising costs, we fear, we may have to close our doors.”

This last year has been tough on the small non-profit. “Rent went up last year,” Hart said. The construction being done to upgrade the building, while lovely, she explained “hasn’t been good for business.” On top of those problems, they are short on member artists who work two days a month as well as pay dues and give 25% of each sale to the gallery. They also need more guest artists who pay a 40% commission.

Several in the community are trying to keep the doors open with a variety of strategies. “A lot of us members haven’t been getting paid because we want to see [the gallery] stay open,” Hart said. Some members are working extra shifts.

In addition, artists are reaching out to the community encouraging them to come in, explore, and purchase art. “We’ve got jewelry, photography, paintings, leather items, pottery, tie-dye, ceramics, iron work, and fish prints,” she said. Woodworkers, fabric artists, basket weavers, and others are also featured.

“Someone came in and bought a big painting and a bunch of members paid up their dues,” Hart said explaining that the money brought in from this will help keep the gallery open through April.

“We have a [donation] jar on the counter, ” she said and a GoFundMe account has just been started to help keep the doors open. Now, the artists are hoping that people will come in, see their art, and bring it home.
Note: Full disclosure–this reporter owns a purse, a bowl, and a vase from this little shop.