ELDRED, NY — Ceramic artist Jessie Lazar opened the Sullivan Public art space in Eldred two years ago to provide a base for local artists to make, teach and sell their skilled work to members of the community.
After moving full-time to neighboring Yulan, NY with her family during the pandemic, Lazar relocated from a small studio in Eldred to a 3,400 square-foot, 1960s highway department garage behind the Sunshine Hall Free Library.
Sullivan Public sells items such as ceramics, vintage clothing and toys, and offers free community-building events, workshops and an afterschool program.
“Outside of farmers markets, there aren’t really a lot of public spaces here where locals—who have been here forever—and weekenders can share that community energy,” says Lazar, who has been producing ceramics in the area for a decade.
Grant funding from the Sullivan County Youth Bureau allows Sullivan Public to offer their kids programming at a deeply discounted rate, while still paying teachers a full salary. “It’s important to me that the teaching artists get paid a living wage so that they can live off their work,” says Lazar.
It’s been a win for all involved.
“I want everybody in the community to access the programming,” she says. “I’m proud that has happened here, because everybody’s grandchild needs a place to make art after school.”
While Lazar has been working solo in the space, that will change once a new studio under construction in the annex of the building is finished, when she’ll be joined by local painters Kristin Texeira and Travis Webber.
Every four to six weeks, Lazar holds a different workshop. “We’ve had really stellar, mostly female, local teachers come and teach sold-out workshops for adults and kids in every media from photography to clay painting,” she said.
A few recent events were a Japanese flower arranging class with Kaya Magee of Momoglobal Flower in Jeffersonville, and a sewing class and zero waste skirt making class with Pamela Mayer of fashion brand MayerWasner.
“Closing my [Narrowsburg] shop has given me an opportunity to pursue other avenues of creativity—one of them has been to teach sewing classes,” says Mayer. “Sullivan Public is such a great space and Jessie is a delight to collaborate with…there is a wonderful sense of community and gathering at the space that always makes me smile.”
The second Sunday of every month in high season Sullivan Public holds an event with pop-up vendors and food trucks. A free clothing swap in June drew hundreds of people to the space, with all proceeds and unclaimed items donated to the consignment shop Mommy & Me in Honesdale, PA, which partners with a local women’s shelter. In August, local pickling expert Austin Nash hosted a “Pickling Party” where attendees were taught how to pickle fresh food from their gardens. “These types of events have really brought people here and make people invested in this community,” Lazar says.
Lazar says the isolation and solitude that is required in many art practices might be what helps local artisans the chance to develop their voice—particularly women.
“For such a low-density neighborhood, the area has some incredibly talented people that live and work here,” she says. “Maybe the quiet here makes space for our female voices to be heard.”
For more information about upcoming Sullivan Public events, visit www.sullivanpublic.com.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here