Empty Marysville store could become Yuba-Sutter artists' haven

At the moment, it is just another empty store front on D Street in Marysville — one with large display windows on a block of well-kept historic buildings.

But an unusual proposal from the owner of what once housed D Street Mercantile could change its focus from one of commerce to one of creativity.

"He is interested in letting us use the space rent-free for a year, and turn it into an co-op art gallery and studio space," said Lily Noonan, treasurer of the Yuba-Sutter Regional Arts Council.

The identity of the owner still is a mystery to Noonan.

"It would basically be a straight rent donation," said commercial real estate broker Zak Repka of Meagher & Tomlinson Co., who proffered the deal in September on behalf of the property owner.

"We were looking for ideas for the space that would benefit the community," Repka said. "It lends itself really well to an art gallery type of use."

The owner, he said, "has an affinity for art and artists."

Noonan, the art council's liaison for the project, said she has until Nov. 9 to present a plan and the necessary paperwork to move in. She will try to drum up roughly $2,800 in insurance, a security deposit and other costs.

"It wasn't in our budget to do this," she said, "but what a fantastic opportunity."

And making good use of the building would benefit merchants downtown, Noonan said.

The store that previously occupied the building moved to C Street a year and a half ago not long after Amicus Books closed on the same block.

"An empty building really can't be good for anyone at all," Noonan said.

If studio spaces are created and rented out in the 6,500 square-foot building, Noonan believes electricity and other expenses could be managed.

An informational meeting last week attracted 22 local painters, sculptors, photographers and other visual artists, and convinced Noonan there would be enough interest to make it work.

At the moment, she has more ideas for the project than dollars.

Interior areas closest to the front windows would serve as gallery space, according to her plan. Wall space closest to the window would rent for $30 a month, and would rotate among interested parties.

Artists could rent studio space for $125 per month and be housed both upstairs and downstairs, Noonan said.

Space would be available upstairs for classes and small workshops and a central area could be used, eventually, for poetry readings and other nonvisual arts, Noonan said.

Members would pay a $30 annual fee.

Noonan, who is curator of the Mary Aaron Museum, said her previous work in South Carolina involved several artist co-operatives.

Artist communities in cities and towns throughout California and the United States have adopted the concept.

But it is new to Marysville.

"They're really wonderful, dynamic spaces," she said. "Why shouldn't we have that?"

CONTACT reporter Nancy Pasternack at 749-4781.