The Strauss Gallery adds a gift shop as an added benefit to its expanding cultural presence.
The arts are flourishing in Hamilton. And soon there’ll be another spot in town to buy them at reasonable prices and in support of a worthwhile cause.
Beginning this summer, The Strauss Gallery (formerly known as the Resident Gallery at Artspace Hamilton Lofts) will be launching a new arm of its arts-related, nonprofit operations— The Strauss Gift Shop.
“One of my favorite parts of visiting art galleries and museums is coming home with an item from their gift shop. That way, you can continue the experience well after the moment,” says Sarah Davis. She lives at Artspace with her husband Patrick and their family and will be serving as one of the shop managers.
Artspace resident artist Melissa Lucid and Strauss Gallery coordinator Julieanne Fischer are also shop volunteers. Lucid is “stoked” to reveal the range and quality of items provided in-house and by local artisan vendors. These include small paintings, hundreds of prints, postcards, framed drawings, jewelry, carvings, small sculptures, stickers, coasters, illustrated novels, and a wide range of apparel—much of which is Hamilton-themed.
“We’re not the biggest art gallery or gift shop in the area and that’s okay. We consider it a great luxury not to have to be,” says Fischer, who formerly served as Curatorial Administrator at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. “But casual doesn’t mean unimportant. Our standing affords us the ability to incorporate the whimsical. And our shop certainly brings the unique and whimsical.”
Since its establishment two years ago, The Strauss Gallery has made an impact on the local arts and culture scene.
The gallery regularly hosts monthly (and sometimes weekly) art exhibitions and opening night parties, workshops, poetry slams, jam sessions, artist collaboration days, comedy shows, and concerts. They’ve even had a celebrity perform on their “17 Strong Stage.” In August, Peter Yarrow of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame trio “Peter, Paul and Mary” held a benefit concert there, which raised over $500 for the anti-bullying organization “Operation Respect”.
Prior to the pandemic, The Strauss hosted four events over the course of three weekends, each of which saw over a hundred guests in attendance. Those included a fine art show, a student art show, an acapella mixed group performance, and a one-night art show featuring the work of currently and formerly incarcerated artists—an event which was covered by Channel 12 News.
“Not bad for the off-season. And we plan to pick-up where we left off with an incredible summer lineup in store… I suppose it helps that every public event is always free,” says Artspace manager and Strauss director Dr. David Stark with a wink and toothy smile.
The Strauss can be rented for private events as well, like parties, showers, weddings and corporate gatherings. For a small fee, guests can reserve the space, which includes a kitchenette with a sink and two fridges, restrooms, sixty chairs, ten tables, a moveable stage and an overhead projector.
Private rentals, donations, and grants from 17 Strong have so far been the primary source of funding.
But starting a gift shop has been a long-term plan for Stark and the Strauss team to support its vitality: “If Hamilton continues to embrace us, then the hope is that our small commission on transactions will help fund the gallery, while providing our artists a context to sell their work. And all this comes with the added benefit that the art exhibitions we create and curate will be available for viewing on a more regular basis during shop open hours.”
The Strauss Gift Shop is located at 220 High Street and will be open on Fridays from 11-6, Saturdays from 11-4 and during gallery events.