Groups hope to fill empty Cape storefronts with art

An empty storefront is an ugly storefront -- at least according to those involved in the Downtown Art Window Program.

Three Cape Girardeau entities have taken on the task of decorating the empty storefronts along Main Street and Broadway by recruiting artists to display their work in the window space of the vacant buildings.

The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri and the Crisp Museum at Southeast Missouri State University will entice and choose artists to display their work while Old Town Cape will get building owners on board to open their vacant spaces to the rotating displays.

It's a great concept that simply hasn't caught on, said Melissa Miller, arts council executive director. She has only received one application so far. The original deadline for applications, available on the three organizations' websites, and examples of work was Tuesday, but has been extended to Jan. 4 in the hopes more artists will participate.

"Maybe part of it is bad timing with the holidays," Miller said. She was expecting around 10 entries to start. "I think it might be something that just takes a while to catch on -- like anything new."

The artist would be responsible for filling a window space instead of a gallery, which Miller said she thought would appeal to starting artists who may not have a large body of work. It's also another space for established artists to show their work.

"There are a lot of artists who have basements full of amazing work, and no one knows it's out there," Miller said.

The artwork can be 3-D or 2-D. The artist will be paired with a building owner to get access to their specific building front and will be responsible for easels or a portable wall on which to place their art.

Marla Mills, executive director of Old Town Cape, said the committee has talked to a few property owners but doesn't have specific buildings signed up for the program yet because the committee wants to be able to pair artists with buildings to suit them.

"Some of the buildings when they're empty they look fine," Mills said. "Sometimes when they're empty, it's not inviting; it doesn't help the image of downtown. It's a way to help build the image of downtown, to make it more active and vibrant."

Old Town Cape had been working on a plan to fill vacant storefronts with displays from existing businesses, like a street-level billboard in an empty window. The art program, Mills said, was another way to fill those spaces and a "natural fit."

charris@semissourian.com

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