NOTE: Last time I heard from Shelley Spector - more than a year ago - she was closing down the gallery and dedicating to mentor students. But it was nice to get to know Spector Gallery, its founder and her efforts to help new artists. This articles was publish on April 15th, 2005 at The Triangle (Drexel University's student newspaper)
Spring is here!
I'm on my way to South Street's vicinity, more specifically to 510 Bainbridge St., and I am soaking wet because of the week long rainstorm. Between South and Bainbridge streets the change in environment is radical; South always seems crowded, Bainbridge seems lonely, yet the two streets are a block apart. I'm about to meet Shelley Spector, 44, founder and director of Spector Gallery; a gallery that, among so many others, is emerging as a place for new, local artists to show their work.
Philadelphia is known for so many things. It was the first capital of the United States and possesses a rich historical, national, and political reputation. But it is also well-known in the arts, literature, sports and education. It is where cheesesteaks and hoagies are the best, and where films like "Rocky," "Philadelphia," and "The Sixth Sense" made the city a cinematographic landmark.
Another great thing happening in Philadelphia - and all around the country, according to Spector - is a wave of the so-called emerging galleries that seem to be focusing on showing the work of emerging artists, art students and other such fields.
After knocking on the wrong door, I finally find Spector Gallery. Spector opens ups the door with a kind smile and quickly lets me in. I felt a bit embarrassed standing there in my wet shoes on the grass-green, wooden floor. I grabbed my interview essentials and sat on a comfortable old yellow couch with Spector.
We both settled in the conversation after establishing a friendly rapport with each other. Spector, unlike other people I have interviewed, wanted to know about me as much as I wanted to know about her.
She is one of the many pioneers of these emerging galleries for emerging artists.
Spector saw the potential of this business long ago. When she was an art student at University of the Arts, the one thing missing was guidance about the job market. Spector, however, did not plan to open up a gallery. It seems to have been an unconscious process; one thing led to the other until she realized she was organizing an exhibition... and boom! She found herself with a gallery. Spector bought the South Street house in 1998 and a year after she already had a gallery, a studio, and a place for her daughter to live away and safe from the chemicals most artists use.
In an e-mail I received from BInformed, an arts and culture magazine, it was said that Spector Gallery is hosting its first in person reviews open to local Philadelphia artists working in all kinds of mediums.
"Over the past six years Spector has spotlighted and bolstered a growing community of emerging local artists," BInformed said. "Currently [the gallery is] reaching out to see what the next generation is up to."
Also, Eils Lotozo, an Inquirer writer, said that Spector's work is known for showing emerging local artist influenced by popular pop culture and folk art.
"What's more, she sells it at prices that fit even an art student budget," Lotozo said.
Lotozo also said that Spector had started studying dance at University of the Arts but dropped out in 1982.
"A dozen years later, already established as a sculptor, she returned to finish her degree, thinking she'd teach," Lotozo said. "Instead, she's found a way to share her experience by mentoring younger artists."
Spector's motivation to work in the arts, whether in her studio or at the gallery, may be hard to understand but is genuine nonetheless. She likes to work with her heart.
Other new galleries helping young artists are The Leeway Foundation, Philadelphia Art Alliance and The Print Center. These organizations work together to promote the Leeway Award to Emerging and Established Artists in Photography/Works On Paper every year.
The next Spector Gallery exhibition, "Babel," will have an opening reception on Friday, April 22, from 6-10 p.m. and will be open until June 18.
© Copyright 2007 The Triangle
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