Fresh Gallery transitions to commercial venture

A month after its closure was announced, the Fresh Gallery in downtown Springfield has reached a deal to remain open as a commercial venture.

Artists Jennifer Hyde and FrankQue Graham are now the owners of the 401 N. Boonville Ave. art gallery, effective Nov. 1, said Hyde, declining to disclose financial information. The cooperative art gallery previously operated under the fiscal agency of the Springfield Regional Arts Council, with SRAC handling back-office functions and a collaborative of artists running its day-to-day operations, according to past reporting.

"Fresh needed to transition and grow up, if you will, to get to the next level so that these artists can continue to showcase their work," Hyde said. "Our startup energy right now is getting them some marketing and getting them some exposure."

While Hyde and Graham will handle the business side of the venture, the collaborative of roughly 20 artists will continue to have a say in the featured work, she said.

"We're going to remain a juried gallery and keep a selection process so that we can keep the quality of the art inside the building," Hyde said.

Hyde she said learned of the opportunity after stopping into the gallery around the time its previous operators were making decisions on its future.

An Oct. 1 social media post announced the Fresh Gallery planned to close on Nov. 23 after being formed in 2009, according to past reporting. At the time, officials with SRAC said "the needs and preferences of buyers and artists have evolved, making it increasingly difficult to sustain the cooperative gallery model."

In a Friday news release announcing the change in operation to Hyde and Graham, SRAC officials said they are "delighted to see the transition of Fresh Gallery to new leadership."

Hyde is a Missouri native with 30 years of entrepreneurial experience supporting the arts, and Graham is originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from The Art Institute of Dallas, according to the release. Together, they have showcased artists in Dallas and Hot Springs, Arkansas.

"We're excited to use our networks to invite people to this region, to experience the art that's here," Hyde said this morning.

Declining to disclose startup costs, Hyde said she and Graham have taken over the lease of the building. The building is owned by Nick Sibley, according to Greene County assessor records.