Downtown Arts Scene
Changing Places
by Brenda Coda, Tucson Arts District Partnership
Change is inherent in living on this planet. Sometimes it comes out of necessity, whether from shifting economic, social or political impetus. At other times a change reflects new ideas and growth. Changing places geographically can offer a fresh perspective and new opportunities not possible or perceptible before. The arts-related businesses in Tucson offer examples of all the above, and will be influenced by the new developments for Downtown being conceived, planned, and given the “go ahead.” These influences may initiate a process of changing places for some.
Within two blocks of Downtown, between Congress and Broadway and 6th Avenue and Stone, there are four arts businesses changing places –Dinnerware Art Gallery, 3Falk Gallery, Wilde Playhouse and Metroform Limited Gallery.
After 24 years on Congress Street, Dinnerware Art Gallery has moved to 210 N. 4th Avenue next to The Drawing Studio. The move of this Downtown icon is significant. How this change will affect Dinnerware’s success or impact Downtown remains to be seen. Closed July and August to move into the new space, Dinnerware re-opens mid-September with a major Grand Opening. Call 520-792-4503 for more information.
3Falk Gallery’s grand opening a month ago, at 41 South 6th Avenue, coincided with the elbow-to-elbow crowds attending the Tucson Arts District Partnership’s Downtown Saturday Night season finale June 7th. Their sales have improved from the previous North Main location thanks to the healthy mix of locals, who come in frequently and buy repeatedly, and tourists.
Co-owners Jason and Melba Falk decided to focus their location search to Downtown because they feel it has a well-established sense of culture and heritage that encourages and is supportive of the arts. They consider their new location to be permanent and ideal.
Jason sees Downtown as the most likely place for future consolidation of galleries. He draws comparisons between Tucson and Tacoma, Washington, a former residence. Just as Tacoma’s first step to renovating downtown was to rebuild the old theaters, Jason identifies the Fox Tucson and Rialto Theatres as potential keystones for the Downtown Arts District, balancing both ends of Congress Street then extending out to Broadway and Toole Avenues, including the Warehouse Historic District.
Jason sees the potential of City plans for Downtown, through the Parkway, Science Center and Rio Nuevo, to spark “another Golden Age that will stick and keep Downtown as an art destination.”
The Wilde Playhouse is moving into Dinnerware’s previous home at 135 East Congress. A new theatre company as of July last year, Joan O’Dwyer, founder, owner and artistic director, has ambitious and inclusive goals that will beckon Tucsonans to come Downtown often. Although she looked all over the City for suitable headquarters, she decided to locate in the Downtown Arts District. Her vision is inspired by another downtown that experienced a renaissance, San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter in the 1990s. Citing the development of the Science Center and the plans to upgrade the Martin Luther King Apartments to include middle income level tenants, she sees no reason why a renaissance couldn’t and shouldn’t happen here, and wants to be “a part of what makes other things happen.” O’Dwyer also would like Wilde Playhouse to serve as an example that “it’s possible” and for other businesses to follow. Call 520-770-1000 to get information about the upcoming season, The Battle of the Improvs, Wilde Superstar Search and future youth education outreach programs.
To visit Metroform Limited Gallery, go to 110 E 6th Street August 15th when they re-open. Well-known local artist and owner D. Scott Baker decided to move next to Davis Dominguez Gallery, a well-respected and established gallery. He sees the two galleries as “complementing each other, while not competing.” He considers this new location “downtown although not in the center of things.” For more information about the upcoming show in September, call 520-882-6606, email scott@metroformlimited.com or visit the website at metroformlimited.com.
Arts clusters are being created with these moves: Dinnerware next to The Drawing Studio on 4th Avenue; 3Falk, the Tucson Arts District Partnership Phantom Galleries, Wilde Playhouse and the Etherton Galleries Downtown; and Metroform Limited, Davis Dominguez, Santa Theresa Tileworks and Raices Taller 222 Gallery on 6th Street. As Baker of Metroform said, “With the economy the way it is right now I think it is important for galleries in the downtown area to work together even more.” These changing places have an opportunity to strengthen the already-existing arts neighborhoods in the downtown and nearby areas, contributing to the renaissance desired and being planned. They will help designate Downtown as a ‘must-see’ destination for residents and visitors alike. 
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