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Saturday, July 19, 2008
Ind. Law - Pesky artists at both ends of the state
On July 11th the ILB posted this entry, headed "Ind. Law - "Artist asks Valparaiso board to define vendor policy."
Today from Evansville, this story in the Courier & Press by Roger McBain, headlined "Permits lacking in Evansville's Arts District." Some quotes:
Nearly eight months after the City Council passed a zoning law permitting artists living in the Haynie's Corner Arts District to sell their work from their homes, only one gallery has applied for a permit.In that same time, however, artists appear to be operating galleries from their residentially zoned homes, at least on a part-time basis, without permits and in violation of law.
Last month the Board of Zoning Appeals approved the first and, so far, only special use permit, for Tom Loesch Jr., sales manager for artist Billy Hedel, to operate a gallery from the home they share at 916 SE Second St.
The process cost them $200 "plus some postage" for certified letters to notify our immediate neighbors of their request and the hearing, says Loesch. Under terms of the permit, they can use 40 percent or up to 500 square feet of their home, whichever is less, to show and sell works of up to three artists, at least one of whom must live at the address.
Their gallery must sell art produced on the site, and their sign (which they haven't put up yet) can measure no more that 10 square feet.
In the meantime, other home galleries have sprung up, mainly on Adams Avenue in the area designated the Haynie's Corner Arts District in October 2006, but without seeking the special use permit required by the ordinance.
Several home venues are featured on the First Saturday Art Walk, a monthly art reception and sale coordinated by William Sovern, an artist and poet who operates the Poet House & Art Emporium from his home at 106 Adams Ave. The next tour is set for Aug. 2.
Sovern says he intends to continue selling art and hosting art receptions from his home, but he isn't sure whether he will apply for the special use zoning permit.
He doesn't like some of the restrictions in the special use permit ordinance, he explained, especially one that only allows work by at most three artists, one of whom must be a resident, to be offered for sale at any time.
"You could never have a group show," he pointed out.
City Council President Keith Jarboe, who championed the arts district designation and the special use permits, is surprised more artists haven't applied for them.
Like the arts district designation, the special use permit for artists "was all community driven, by the arts community," he said.
"They indicated this is what they needed. Now that we've provided the vehicle for them to do this, they need to step up to the plate and become legal."
Posted by Marcia Oddi on July 19, 2008 10:32 AM
Posted to Indiana Law