Macon Magazine

1 0 2 M A C O N M A G A Z I N E . C O M A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 9 I s a revival of art, artists and art production heating up in Macon? Some see evidence that it is – with downtown as the hub. They point to a buzz among artists and in art communities that "something's up" with creators expectantly coming to Macon and others gladly staying here to pursue their art. And they point to elements in place needed for a creative outburst, one of which may come as a surprise but has been building quietly: the creation of spaces for working artists to work, namely, simple studio space. "Everyone is happy, downtown is flourishing and seeing revitalization, and we all hear when a new restaurant or two opens," said Macon artist Eric O'Dell, an assistant professor of art at Mercer University. "But most people aren't hearing about all these spaces being created for artists to work. Some know, but overall it's going unnoticed and people aren't aware of how important it is." In recent months, three multi-artist studios have opened, and the synergy for artmaking spaces is palpable downtown. In February, a smattering of Macon artists, studio owners, musicians, artist/ entrepreneurs and others dropped by the four or five buildings of the vacated Triangle Chemical Company facility on Lower Elm Street. Ric Geyer, who has created "arts incubators" in Detroit and Atlanta, invited them to see where he is investing $250,000 to create an events venue that also will be a "gathering place for urban youth to do positive things." And yes, there will be studio space and gallery space for painters, sculptors and other artists. A number of artists who dropped by that night by were encouraged that Geyer was seeing what they were in Macon: a burgeoning art and music scene. Colin Penndorf was there talking with Geyer and other artists. Penndorf leads the Ocmulgee Artist Guild, a collaborative of about a dozen Macon artists, and is curator at The 567 Center for Renewal gallery. He attended Middle Georgia State University and said he thought it was a good idea to stick around after college. "There's tremendous creative energy in Macon, and I'm one of those who believes something is in the air, something's happening and it's going to surprise a lot of people," he said. "You're seeing it more and more. There are artists at work, ones you never hear of, who are doing really good work. I believe you'll soon hear of them, some in a big way. We're just at the tip of the iceberg." With other independent artists, Penndorf and the Ocmulgee Artist Guild occupy new studio space at 164 Franklin St., in a building procured by painter and former art educator Megan McNaught. Curator for the Macon Arts Alliance gallery on First Street, McNaught said her own need for studio space was the reason she took on the venture. "There wasn't really a plan, but I did know others needed space, so now here's a place artists can work and be in the company of other artists," she said. McNaught agreed there is excitement brewing about new spaces for artists, and acknowledged it's been a long time coming. "There have been talented people here all along and now there are more opportunities and spaces. Downtown development is spilling over, and there are AMPERSAND GUILD STARTUP STUDIOS

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