Marysville co-op studio filled with excited artists

What had been a large, empty store-space two weeks ago is now a dream come true for the Yuba-Sutter Regional Arts Council and 34 local artists.

The still-nameless artists' cooperative gallery and studio at 419 D Street is scheduled to open its doors Saturday, just in time for the Marysville Christmas Parade.

"This is the perfect thing," said Yuba City native Dean Tokuno, whose photography has donned New York City billboards, graced the pages of magazines, and shown in galleries around the world.

After reading about the project in the newspaper and seeing the building, he decided to be a part of what he believes to be a great idea and a step up for Marysville.

Tokuno rented a small section of the less-desirable gallery wall space away from the front windows at the new co-op. On Thursday, he hung three near life-sized black and white portraits there.

Nearby, other artists shuffled their works around on their wall space and socialized.

"I don't think people fully comprehend what's going on yet," said Paul Boehmke, a fused-glass artist based in Sutter. Boehmke's work is featured now in one of Sacramento's more-established art galleries.

"They all came marching in here today with their art," said Lilly Noonan, curator of the Mary Aaron Museum and the gallery project's chief coordinator. "They're just starting to meet each other."

Joe Reusser was in the midst of rethinking which of his photos should go where.

He said he has been waiting for positive change in Marysville for decades now.

The art cooperative has been the first significant step forward, "since this whole redevelopment thing came along," he said, rolling his eyes at the term that has become synonymous with blight.

"It's about time," he said.

"I love that this is different artists from different skill levels, different mediums, different backgrounds, all moving together to make this happen," said Noonan.

Each of the 34 reserved art spaces has been take up, and all eight studio spaces have been rented. And there is a waiting list.

The project began when the property's owner approached the Arts Council last month and offered use of the building, rent-free, for the creation of a sustainable artists cooperative.

About $3,000 was quickly raised from local private donors to cover the cost of a deposit, business license, insurance, utilities account and other expenses.

A name has not yet been selected for the gallery.

Suggestions are posted on a white board inside, and Noonan said she welcomes suggestions from the public.

"Just come in and let us know your idea," she said.

The co-op's members will vote on the name in January.

CONTACT reporter Nancy Pasternack at 749-4781.