Page 12 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE - Friday, February 15, 2019 The Gallery leaves a legacy: Imagine something and make it happen (Editor’s Note: This story was originally featured in MATV’s Neighborhood View, neighborhoodview.org.) By Robin Inman O n Dec. 24, 2018, The Gallery at 480 Main St. in downtown Malden closed. For almost 13 months, following an inaugural stint in late 2016, The Gallery had functioned as a lively arts and community center, drawing in hundreds of people for retail sales, exhibitions, performances, workshops and cultural events. Ose Schwab, the owner of Malden Creates, LLC, and the “chief instigator,” primary sponsor and manager of The Gallery, recently answered some questions for Neighborhood View. Why did The Gallery close? The Gallery closed because its lease with DSF Advisors LLC, owners of 480 Main Street, came to a close. But it was also time, given the emergent complexity of The Gallery operations, to end its temporary state. It was time to consider a sustainable plan for some iteration of The Gallery for the future, with a strategic funding, staffi ng, outreach, business (or nonprofi t) development, and marketing plan that could ensure the best outcome. In addition, my husband Marcel, who served as the fi nancial offi cer and operations manager of the gift shop, and I were tired and ready for a rest. What was the reaction of The Gallery community of artists and supporters? The predominant sentiment was sadness – the crying face emoji kept popping up. The recurring question to me was, “Couldn’t you extend the lease?” Everyone expressed Mayor Gary Christenson is fl anked by artist Anna Thai (right) and her brother-in-law, Truong, on #ArtsMatterDay, which was celebrated at The Gallery. disappointment that the vibrant space they were used to would not exist. Abutting business neighbors noted that the street would seem a bit emptier and less alive. The most disheartening response came from my three high school volunteers. The Gallery inspired them with cultural experiences, learning, art and relationships with professional artists. They feared they would feel disconnected from the community that had been built. What do you feel The Gallery achieved during its time here in Malden? The Gallery had a social, civic and economic impact on Malden. The Gallery created community among artists and the broader group of visitors, volunteers, local businesses, organizations, schools and city leaders. It also served as an incubator for new arts and culture ventures, for friendships, for the growth of individual artists & cultural entrepreneurs in their endeavors and for ideas about what kinds of arts, retail, business and cultural activity can enhance Malden right now. The Gallery Classical Indian dance performance at the Diwali Festival at The Gallery in October space attracted people from every age, socioeconomic category, ethnicity and profession. Many creative professionals who never engaged in Malden found The GalAstronauts of Albania, an Albanian folk-jazz group, performs at The Gallery. Anna Thai demonstrates her exquisite embroidery techniques in The Gallery space. lery and wanted to join the community somehow. New residents walking by were curious and eager to learn more about Malden and its cultural opportunities. They were visibly encouraged to find this space as a sign that Malden was a vibrant place ready to off er cultural experiences to a diverse crowd. The Gallery hosted over 50 varied events, including 17 concerts, 9 artist exhibitions, 6 book/composer talks, 7 workshops, a poetry slam, 3 storytelling events and various oneoff community or civic events with groups like the Malden Chamber of Commerce. Many of the events, like concerts and artists’ receptions in particular, drew crowds from outside of Malden who spent money here in Malden. Will any of The Gallery’s accomplishments live on? Several outgrowths formed that will continue no matter what happens next to The Gallery. Closet Connection, a local consignment shop, relocated from downtown Boston after doing a preliminary trial at The Gallery. From within the Gallery emerged several fi rsts: PechaKucha Nights Malden, a series of stimulating and creative presentations archived in an international network of cities; #ArtsMatterDayMalden, an online arts appreciation campaign that occurs each October 26 – now with a Malden
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