Subway Gallery

I'm a member of Subway Gallery  in Bisbee. I'll be gallery sitting there today. When I gallery sit I usually take in an art project to work on, and a good book or two. In preparation for tomorrow's drawing group, I'll be working on paper dolls today. I'm also taking in some good reads: Bicycle Diaries by David Byrne and Winter 2011 Art Journaling by Somerset Studio. Hey, and hopefully I'll sell some art today too! I've shown work in a couple of galleries here in town and have been at Subway, an artist cooperative gallery for almost 2 years now. Feels like home to me at Subway. I'm very happy showing my art there.

Here's a little copy/paste/history of Subway from the gallery Web site:


Subway Gallery was formed as a cooperative artist gallery in 1986 by a group of twelve Bisbee artists. Current members Danielle and Manny Martinez are the only remaining members from the original founding group. The gallery took its name from the original gallery location in the building at the corner of Subway and Main Streets in Old Bisbee. This location is currently occupied by a local jeweler/artist.
After the first year at the Subway Street location the gallery moved to Brewery Avenue (The Gulch) into the building next door to St Elmo's Saloon. The building is currently recognized as the residence and working studios for two Bisbee artists. While at this location the gallery shared the space with a theatrical group who held their performances along with Subway Gallery opening receptions. After a few years at this location the gallery moved again, across the street into the Silver King Hotel, occupying the space where the Bisbee Bicycle Brothel is now located.
After several memorable years at this location, Subway Gallery moved into the Central School Project building on Howell Street. Several gallery members were also members of the Central School Project and, for the most part, the two organizations complimented each others' endeavors well. In 2007 the membership decided to "take the big plunge and become more business-like" and moved to its current location at 30 Main Street in Old Bisbee. This is Subway Gallery's fifth, and hopefully last, location. To the best of our knowledge we are the oldest continuously operating cooperative artist gallery in southern Arizona.
The Subway Gallery currently has twelve members who are variously painters, sculptors, photographers, ceramicists, print makers, photo encaustic artist and others. The Gallery has an Art Opening and Reception on the second Saturday of each month with member artists being featured. The Gallery also has several invitational and/or open shows throughout the year.

The Journey Home

View from our front walkway, sunset December 2010

I don't fancy myself a writer, nor do I have aspirations to become one, but I signed up for a local "Freewrite" workshop at the Copper Queen Library and have been thoroughly enjoying it. The 10-week workshop is facilitated by James Coull, who began "Freewrite" here in Bisbee based on a program in Portland called Write Around Portland. Our group consists of 10 women, some with serious writing aspirations, and some like me, just wishing to become a better writer, or be better able to get feelings/ thoughts on paper. For me writing, is a way to better understand where I'm going with my visual art. So, with that in mind, here is a short piece finished yesterday in "Freewrite".

 The Journey Home

As night falls, darkness surrounds. Our street empties; quiet, silent, only the glimmer of a few street lamps, and distant neighbors’ flickering lights on the mountainsides that blend with the few twinkling stars in the heavens.

It’s cold. I walk briskly to my abode; my home, cozy and warm, filled with the familiar surroundings of objects speaking of our time together, jogging fond memories of our eight years in concert. Exotic blends of some new spicy concoction being prepared by Mike in the kitchen, fill the air. We dine by candlelight in our little breakfast nook, and share conversations, our events of the day.  After dinner we settle in on our little love seat and cruise the tele channels for a bit of light entertainment.

We retire early - warm under our heated bed linens surrounded by the quiet, tranquil hours of night. My journey home was a long one, many years of trials before finding this life with Mike. It was a weary journey, maybe necessary to truly find my way home. The sun rises on a new day and we continue on our shared path together.

Related links and information:
Copper Queen Library on Facebook
Copper Queen Library Web site
"Freewrite" is sponsored by FRIENDS of the Copper Queen Library Bisbee and is open to men and women of all writing skill levels.

Portland Workshops