NEWS
The Luminary is Trying to Move to Cherokee Street - Kickstarter Campaign
Local art conglomerate, The Luminary Center for the Arts has always been a somewhat non-categorical entity that contains a gallery/venue space as well as the AV Media Lab (or artist equipment library) which offers monthly memberships for local creatives that couldn't otherwise afford the gear.
Currently, they are looking to uproot from their fairly awkward location on Kingshighway to a ginormous spot on 2700 Cherokee Street which has since been the upstairs home of Pig Slop Studios. From the building plan, it doesn't appear that Pig Slop Studios, which is known to locals as the raw, stinky and downright weird-ass heart that pumps lifeblood into Cherokee, will continue to have a home in the much more conservative outlook of the Luminary. We're not privy to any sort of background information regarding this building upheaval but if you are, feel free to share it here.
We have just entered the final month for our Kickstarter project to help us move to a new location that will greatly expand our programs and events. So far, 77 people have pledged support and over 240 people from around the country have already "liked" the project. However, we still need your help to reach our goal or we won't receive any of the funds. We have a number of unique rewards that you can't get anywhere else: A Season (or Lifetime!) Pass to our Concert Series. A Limited Edition "New Ideas Use Old Buildings" Shirt. A Private Cocktail Party in the new building before it opens. Even a "piece of the building."
Don't wait to show your support. Back the project today, post the link to Facebook and Twitter, forward this email to your friends. We have come so far in the first few weeks of the campaign, now we need your help to make this move possible.
With 19 days to go, it seems fairly unlikely that the goal of $20,000 will be met with the current amount standing at $4,760. Which, if you happen to watch the entirety of the painfully-indie-hipster video, you will discover that this is merely a drop in the bucket of funding that they are trying to secure by March ($500,000 to purchase building and a total of $1 Million for renovations and operations).
Before you think we're trashing this campaign, let us just say this: it's these sort of big ideas, no matter how unclear the organization is behind them, that spur innovation and establish culture in an area of our city that could definitely benefit from it's existence. Cherokee is thriving with character, good intentions and stacks of energy, but it still has a long way to go before being considered a safe attraction and area that our city can claim on a national level. We think this project has the ability to refine this area's culture and focus further.
Enough of what we think - let's hear from some of the denizens of Cherokee Street give feedback of what this would mean for the area. Leave your thoughts in the comments.
Comments
The Luminary has an exclusive option to purchase the space through March 31st, at which time the terms may change. We are much further along than the Kickstarter shows since many donations have come offline and we are optimistic that the plans will move forward. As far as the fate of Pig Slop, we've made it clear that we hope to see it continue in some form and will help however we can to support the artists living and working there. Their current lease would be honored regardless of what happens with the purchase. I hope this helps gives some context to the process as it currently stands.
Thanks for the background info James - it is appreciated.
As a business owner on Cherokee Street, I welcome The Luminary with open arms. I know Brea and James personally, and they have a true passion for this city and for Cherokee Street in particular. They have committed themselves to providing something to the St. Louis arts community that didn't exist before. They have the proven ability to bring national and international talent to this city thaht would otherwise skip St. Louis altogether. They provide programming, resources, studio space, exhibition space, and most importantly, a growing audience for artists and musicians who may otherwise be packing their bags for the usual creative hubs. The Luminary not only helps cultivate talent, but they help make sure that talent sticks around.
Brea and James are very sincere and very smart. I have no doubt that this move will be a huge success.
Having lived on Cherokee for over five years, I can say with some confidence that this move would absolutely be an asset to the neighborhood. The Luminary would act as an institutional anchor and destination space in a way that very little else could, especially given that they are looking to purchase a space rather than rent.
While I think that your love of Pig Slop is well-intentioned and sweet, their position upstairs in that building means that they're not actively interacting with the street and the people on it in a way that would actually bring activity to the neighborhood, which is what we most need.
Anyway, with regards to your last point about Cherokee being a "safe" attraction: it already is. The NYTimes highlighted the street in its 36 hours piece a while back, and the wide array of street-wide music and arts events that have been happening in the last few years are a testament to the organization of residents and business owners. It might not be on the "official" map, but I see more and more people exploring the area all the time.
I can't think of a better, more visionary addition to Cherokee Street than the Luminary. Pig Slop is also much appreciated, and everyone wants them to stay on the street, but they could adapt to any building or storefront and still do their thing. The Luminary is a perfect fit for that building. I hope they make their goal.
I don't think that this article is painting a very friendly picture of an organization that I feel is an incredible addition to the city and the neighborhood.
The programming is inclusive, generous, challenging and community minded. They work hard to spread good things and I think we need to do all we can to support them in this.
We don't paint friendly pictures; we paint what we see with colors of impartiality. Even if this was going to be the St. Louis Egotist Center for the Arts we would have criticisms and opposite point of views.
It's what we do.
Can there please be a St. Louis Egotist Center for the Arts?
Having a center(s) for partying is more important to us at this time than having a center for the arts. Stay tuned...
If anyone could adapt to another building, one not already occupied by an artist collaborative, it is the Luminary. Pig Slop is poor, the Luminary is very obviously not. If you don't want it to look like your well funded artists organization is displacing an existing, virtually un-funded, artists organization built from scratch: BUY A DIFFERENT BUILDING. It would be no surprise if this kills Pig Slop Studios, and therefore a small but important piece of the artist community the Luminary and others purport to "incubate". This building, or at least part of it, IS Pig Slop. Moving costs money, and apparently it also requires a horrendous video, a massive capitol campaign, a kickstarter, lots of facebook friends and an endorsement form our pathetic mayor. Oh and by the way, Jane Jacobs is rolling in her grave at the unthinkable mis-use of "New Ideas Use Old Buildings". Pathetic. I suppose what the Luminary is really buying is the front-door exposure that Pig Slop has already created for them. Jerks.
Thanks for the rant-space Egoist!
Instead of a non-profit that claims to support the arts, why not have a for-profit business that employs artists or other creative people and actually pays into our system and supports the city through taxes?
How much competition does the Luminary create for for-profit venues and arts organizations that actually provide jobs for creative people, instead of just "equipment libraries."
I thought pig slop used the luminaries equipment library!? Plus I know who the luminary people are and they are definitely not rich. Why all the hate? I don't want to see pig slop end - I've been to many a concert myself, but they definitely can relocate. No need for the upheaval.
To Chimpsamich - I've seen the propaganda fliers you posted around Cherokee about the luminary move and I think you have some nerve showin that hate in this neighborhood.
really?
Stampede the elephants that carry the supplies to the acronyms i forget.
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