ON POINT - August 2012
Opportunity Knocks for San Diego Artists at NTC
(Written by Kevin Winger, Mod-Est Studio Gallery, Barracks 19 for the U-T San Diego)
The NTC Foundation at Liberty Station has recently finished remodeling seven new buildings in their Arts and Culture hub in Point Loma. Formerly Naval barracks, these buildings are available for a multitude of diverse artistic businesses that reflect the community spirit and creative soul that permeates our beautiful city and county. Fantastic prospects await burgeoning and established artists willing to strike out on their own and become part of an innovative arts community and retain creative control of the direction and growth of their works and career.
It was truly a leap of faith when I opened Kevin Winger’s Mod-Est Gallery here at Liberty Station in June 2010. At the time I was barely even a new artist, let alone emerging and was still finishing a degree in Fine Arts from Mesa College. I had sold a smattering of paintings in local group shows and thought that maybe somewhere down the line I’d open a gallery or seek representation. That was when Pat Vine, Mesa College Art Gallery Assistant suggested I visit NTC and take a brief tour of their flagship Arts & Culture building, Barracks 19.
When I toured NTC with Sean Giffin to view potential spaces I was amazed; I found a mixture of photographers, studio artists, artisan chocolatiers and clothing designers making their own way as small business owners, staking out a creative space they could call their own and sharing their creations with the community at large. In the corner of the building I saw a small available studio space, only 156 square feet (low overhead) and I knew instantly that I could open a small gallery space to display my work and launch my art career.
I must admit that I was super green to the art world and the learning curve was a challenge, but my perseverance has paid off. The studio needed very little in capitol improvements. It only took a bit of paint and some lighting and within a few weeks I was exhibiting my work and keeping regular business hours. Being a gallery owner and artist has given me invaluable experience and insight into the art world. It has made me work hard to realize my dream of being able to support myself with my creations. Immersing myself in the professional side of the art world has likewise shaped the direction of my work in a positive way and given me a sense of true ownership of the entire process from inception, creation, display, marketing, building trust with collectors, sales, installations, commissions and community relations.
Two years later I have had four successful ongoing exhibitions and just signed a four-year extension on my lease. I’m here for the long-run folks! I have sold 72 works and completed 7 commissions. Though sales numbers cannot quantify the value of the experience gained by setting out and deciding to be an artist owned gallery, the steady turnover helps me to purchase new materials, be prolific in the creation of new works and exhibit my work professionally; keeping high standards for display and presentation.
I think the key for me was seeing the potential in this area as an emergent cultural hub in the Point Loma area. Even through our tough economic times, NTC is experiencing steady growth with new tenants joining us to include: The Women’s Museum of California, Stone Brewery World Bistro, Ballast Point Gallery, Casa Valencia Baja Gallery and Hot Spot Ceramics and Candle Making Gallery. In addition, established San Diego Arts destinations include; San Diego Watercolor Society, Vision Art Quilt Gallery, San Diego Fine Art Society’s Pulse Gallery, Mandell Weiss Gallery, Chi Chocolat, Bravo School of Art, M. Fischbeck Studio, Malashock Dance Studio, Martha Pace Swift Gallery, Sophie’s Gallery, Karen Kohlberg Art, Expressive Arts Institute, Jean Isaacs San Diego Dance Theatre, Patrick Meehan Fine Art, Pantaleoni Photography, Osias Contemporary Art and many other fine art studios, galleries and museums. Please forgive me if I failed to mention all my wonderful and talented neighbors and friends.
The area is a budding cornucopia of great restaurants and frequent special events that draw great crowds and sponsorship. Our Friday Night Liberty events draws hundreds sometimes thousands of new faces to NTC. If you are a new, emerging or established artist in San Diego and are considering gallery or studio space it is worth at minimum taking a tour. One of the biggest attractors for me was the abundant free parking for patrons, it certainly helps flow of business and has been a solid driver of collector interest and new leads.
I can’t express enough how starting my art career here at Liberty Station has changed my life as an artist and a person. I am most grateful for all the support of friends, family, collectors and community. Thank you all.
For information about leasing artist studio, gallery or nonprofit space at NTC, contact Sean Giffin at [email protected]
New Galleries and Art Studios at Friday Night Liberty August 3
This Friday, NTC Arts & Cultural District begins a new chapter with the opening of new galleries and art studios in our Phase 2 buildings - newly renovated old Navy Barracks built in 1923. Join us at Friday Night Liberty on August 3 and see our newest artists & galleries! Celebrate the grand opening of Casa Valencia Galeria Baja, Ballast Point Gallery and The Hot Spot ceramics studio in Barracks 14 and 16. Also enjoy new exhibits at some of your favorite NTC Galleries, vintage bicycles at SCOUT @ Quarters D, and more! A full schedule is at https://www.ntclibertystation.com/what.php.
Did You or a Relative Work at Consolidated Aircraft or Fly A Plane? Artifacts & Stories Needed!
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Thanks to a generous grant from the Reuben H. Fleet Foundation, the NTC Foundation is gearing up to create an exhibit at NTC to preserve the legacy of Reuben H. Fleet, Consolidated Aircraft and those who built and flew the wartime planes. To help create a compelling exhibit, we are seeking artifacts and stories from San Diegans who worked at Consolidated Air or flew a plane.
Join us for a special gathering on Saturday, September 15, 2012 from 11am to 1pm at the NTC Command Center. Bring your artifacts and memorabilia - who knows, it may find its way on display!
Reuben H. Fleet brought Consolidated Aircraft to San Diego after he vowed to move here for the perfect weather. The company employed 41,000 people in San Diego at its height. People of San Diego built over 18,000 B-24 Liberators - a heavy bomber - and over 3,000 PBY Catalina flying boats for U.S and Allied fighters in World War II. With the influx of new workers, entire neighborhoods were built (3000 homes in 30 days!), and San Diego became the benefactor of the world’s largest producer of military planes, changing San Diego from a town of artists and spa-goers to a booming city of military aircraft production.
To find out more about the exhibit or event, or to RSVP, contact Christine Deardorff at 619-573-9307 or [email protected]. (Event Flyer)
NTC Resident Groups Make News
- Heading to the beach? San Diego Coastkeeper has launched San Diego County's version of the interactive Swim Guide, an online and smart phone app to help beachgoers, swimmers, surfers and boaters find healthy stretches of sand and coastal waters along the region's coastline. For more information visit www.sdcoastkeeper.org.
- At the threshold of his 25th Season as a dance leader in San Diego, John Malashock, choreographer and Artistic Director of Malashock Dance, won his fifth Emmy in 10 years for Outstanding Achievement in Choreography at the 36th Annual Pacific Southwest Regional Emmy Awards ceremony on June 16. Malashock earned the award for his dance film choreography in “The Floating World,” a dance and video production that was created in his studio at NTC. For information on the upcoming 25th season go to www.MalashockDance.org.
- The San Francisco Chronicle on July 13 ran a feature article entitled “5 Places to Quilt a Story” and named the Visions Art Museum at NTC as #1 in the country as the place where “the stories that modern textile artists share through vivid colors and textures have moved quilts off the bed and onto the walls.” Info is at www.visionsartmuseum.org.
- Congratulations to the NTC Resident Groups that were chosen THE BEST for 2012 in The Peninsula Beacon Reader’s Choice Awards:
- Best Café/Coffee – Chi Chocolat – Barracks 19
- Best Catering – Banyan Catering (at Chi Chocolat) – Barracks 19
- Best Museum - Visions Art Museum – The Gallery Building 202
- Best Pilates – Pilates by the Bay – Building 176
- In addition, NTC at Liberty Station was named Best Event Venue!
Now presenting…The White Box!
NTC at Liberty Station is proud to introduce the White Box. This intimate and newly renovated 2,600 square foot dance and performance venue offers seating for 125, and a lighting and sound system. Our affordable rates make The White Box the perfect venue for showcasing small to medium stage or dance productions. The White Box is conveniently located near Dance Place and offers plenty of free parking! Located at 2590 Truxtun Road at the corner of Roosevelt Road, Studio 205, San Diego, CA 92106. For reservations and information please contact: Rebecca Duckworth at [email protected] or 619-573-9300. Visit our website www.ntclibertystation.com. (photo by Manny Rotenberg)
Our Newest Venues
We are unveiling our newest meeting and event venue in the historic barracks district!
The Barracks 17 Event Center occupies the ground floor of an area that was once the home to many recruits. Now it is a 2,000+ square-foot event space that can hold up to 125 people. Additionally, there is a wonderfully spacious plaza just outside the French doors that can be used alone or in conjunction with the indoor space.
We will preview these exciting new spaces at an Open House on July 24th.
This will also be an opportunity for guests to get a fresh look at our current venues since we’ve given them a facelift. These include the McMillin Companies Event Center, the Command Center Executive Conference Center, Dance Place and the White Box Performance Space. Additionally, there are the scenic outdoor venues that include the Sybil Stockdale Rose Garden, Ingram Plaza, Central Promenade and North Promenade.
A vendor showcase is part of the event’s festivities. Our Approved Caterers and Vendors along with our Recommended Vendors will be there so you can get to know them better…and sample their wares.
If you’d like more information about the Open House/Vendor Showcase or any of our venues, please call one of friendly sales managers at (619) 573-9260. Check out our web site at www.NTCVenues.com
We hope to see you there!
Like NTC Arts & Cultural District on Facebook
You can get timely updates about NTC gallery openings, dance performances, arts events, community festivals and more if you “LIKE” us on the NTC at Liberty Station’s Facebook Page. Link to NTC Arts & Cultural District on Facebook and scroll down to the “LIKE” button. Send this to your friends you might want to know more about NTC, too. Thank you! See you on the web!
To The Point ...
August 3 “Friday Night Liberty”
Monthly first-Friday evening of FREE open artist studios, galleries and performances throughout NTC Arts & Cultural District at Liberty Station. July features the opening of Casa Valencia Galeria Baja featuring artists from Tijuana and Rosarito, and Ballast Point Gallery opening with watercolors by Chuck McPherson. NTC at Liberty Station, 2640 Historic Decatur Road, San Diego, CA 92106 From 5pm – 8pm Visit www.NTCLibertyStation.com.
August 17th- Best of San Diego Party
San Diego Magazine Presents Best of San Diego Party. Celebrate the Best of San Diego with food, wine and beer tastings from many of San Diego's best restaurants, wineries and breweries, live music from some of San Diego's hottest artists, live art demonstration, and fashion trends show. Event will be in the in Luce Court and Legacy Plaza from 6:30pm-9:30pm. Event is 21+. To purchase tickets, please visit http://bestofsd2012.eventbrite.com/.
August 18 35th Annual Haute with Heart Fashion Show
This year will mark the 35th anniversary of St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center’s Haute with Heart Fashion Show. With a new venue, plenty of parking, and several high profile celebrities walking the runway, this event is sure to reach new heights. Produced by Leonard Simpson’s internationally-known fashion production company, Fashion Forward™, one of the highlights of this signature event is a walk down the runway by our St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center students in addition to a special uplifting performance by SMSC’s Singers and Ringers and SMSC Dance troop. Let the Sunshine In, the theme for this year’s event, will provide attendees the opportunity to let the sunshine into their hearts by supporting nearly 400 adults with developmental disabilities. The event will include a luncheon, live auction (valued at over $20,000), silent auction, unique boutique vendors, free Valet Parking (for VIP ticket purchases) and complimentary champagne for all attendees. Hilton San Diego Bayfront, 1 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101. Saturday, 18 August, 2012, 10am - 2pm.
Be sure to check the NTC at Liberty Station online calendar for all the happenings scheduled.
Please consider making a gift to the NTC Foundation to help us translate the community’s vision for NTC at Liberty Station into a new Arts and Cultural District that will increase the quality of life for all San Diegans. Donate now!
For information about lease space in NTC at Liberty Station, contact Leasing Specialist Sean Giffin at [email protected] or 619-573-9304.