Fits and Starts

It has been a waiting game the last couple of weeks. We applied for a line of credit to finance the major projects before we open. We need framing, electrical, drywall and painting done by October 25! Holy Moly... when I say it like that it's pretty scary. It's going to be a sprint to the finish line.

We have wonderful friends who have offered to organize a work party. The trouble is, we need to get some things squared away before asking them to come help.

The banker said the papers should be ready sign by Monday. Fingers crossed!

Face Lift

This weekend we started painting the doors of The Boardwalk. They give a much-needed freshness to the entrance. Lori was initially disappointed with the shade of blue. She was hoping for something deeper. But, after it dried and cured over night, she is happy. I love the color. It is a nice contrast to the natural wood facade.

The Boardwalk has joined forces with two other galleries, our friends at Accidental and Wiregrass, to form the Piney Woods Gallery Alliance! There is strength in numbers, as "they" say. We hope this alliance benefits everyone involved.

Each gallery brings a unique strength: Wiregrass has 40+ members and is situated on the main drag in Thomasville. Accidental has a track record of throwing great receptions and events. The Boardwalk (when we open) has a large space to accommodate alternative events, presentations, classes and so forth. The Boardwalk is not a co-op, which means we will also curate and exhibit more experimental artwork and themed shows.

Now, we just gotta get our doors open! :) Just over six weeks before our deadline. Yikes.

Follow us on Twitter: @BoardwalkArt !!!!

Free Stuff

Yesterday we gathered items that were left in the building, and things we brought with us we no longer wanted, and set up on the walkway with the intent of selling them.

After a few hours of sitting in heat we had made only one sale for a grand total of $1. We were miserable.

Instead of hauling the crap back inside, or throwing it away, we put out a sign (as you can see from the image). "Free Stuff" is a magnetic phrase. People from all over the neighborhood suddenly appeared. They grabbed armloads! It was great. We got to meet neighbors, see their smiles as they rummaged, and we got rid of stuff we didn't need.

My father has said on numerous occasions that the economics of yard sales (and antique booths) don't add up. Basically, if you are lucky, you break even, which means you may as well just put it out on the street. Think about it: If you subtract the amount of time you spend hauling, storing, staging, and money spent advertising, pricing and so forth, not to mention the money you paid for the stuff in the first place, from what you make at a sale, there is no way to get ahead.

I agree. And to go a step further, I think the interaction with people, the absence of any haggling, and the freedom to literally walk away and leave the "Free Stuff" on the walkway has much greater value.

Tomorrow we will be having a Clearance Sale in conjunction with Alley Day in Watt Park, Boston, GA.

Come by and get cool stuff for really cheap. Most things will be $1 or less. Nothing over $10! 

We plan to have tables set up outside, under the covered walkway along Jefferson Street.

This is our brand new logo. Thanks to Marketing Communications in Boston, GA for creating it.
Looks great!

With the help of a man named Danny, we managed to pull down all the remaining pegboard and panelling off the walls. In the process, we revealed another beautiful wooden door that is original to the structure. The hinges look to be in good shape. The pull-locks still work. Lori and I would like to open the door up and make it operational. If we can't, we will still leave it uncovered as a decorative element.

As you can see in the photo, studs and electrical wiring need to be removed. There is also a concrete slab on the outside. Hopefully the doors open inward like the others.

We will definitely be hiring Danny again. He was a great worker, and just an all around nice guy. Turns out he also works for some friends of ours, including the previous owners of the building.

While Danny did most of the removing of pegboard, Lori and I cleaned other areas and swept. I also spent about an hour removing a bunch of old wiring. Security alarm system, sensors, bells and the like were all strung up around the space with staples. The good thing is all the wiring is copper. GOT THAT SCRAP FEVER ITCHING ME AGAIN! :)

We will be framing in one area for storage, then sheet rocking the place to get it ready for hanging, selling, making, teaching and hosting ART.

Next Saturday, September 7, is Alley Day in Boston. It's kind of a community yard sale. We plan to set up some tables sell a bunch of stuff that was left in the building. Most of it will be just $1 a piece!