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Letter to the editor

Dunedin comes to artists' aid

The victims of a fire will get free use of a city building for six months.

By JONATHAN ABEL ,Times Staff Writer
Published December 22, 2007

DUNEDIN - Fire quickly ravaged the Imago Art Gallery two weeks ago, but the community's response has been just as swift and overwhelming.

The Dunedin City Commission voted Thursday night to give the 15 displaced artists use of a vacant, city-owned building free of rent. The 4,400-square-foot structure at 620 Main St. will be available to the artists for the next six months.

It is next to a satellite office of the Dunedin Fine Art Center, which will pay for the utilities and liability insurance costs incurred by Imago at the temporary location.

"I'm just very happy that the city had this property it could offer," Commissioner Julie Scales said.

The fire broke out in the early morning hours of Dec. 9. The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is investigating it as an arson, but has made no arrests.

Thursday night, a few Imago artists spoke before the commission, praising the community for the outpouring of support.

"What you are giving us right now, and we thank God for that, we will give back to you in so many ways," said artist Robert Sutherland.

This was a busy week indeed for friends of the gallery.

On Wednesday night, the Dunedin Fine Art Center hosted a fundraiser attended by roughly 500 people. The money raised that night - combined with other donations that have rolled in - has topped $30,000, according to Ken Hannon, associate executive director of the center.

"This was an opportunity for the whole community on whatever level they could to say, 'We really value what we do in our community,'" Hannon said.

The money is being collected for and distributed to the artists by PAVA, the Professional Association of Visual Artists, to help them recover.

In addition to the money, between $5,000 and $8,000 worth of easels, canvasses and other art materials was donated.

Local artist Sioux Hart, who lost all but one of her works in the blaze, said the spirit of the community was amazing to behold.

"The fire did not destroy our talent or creativity," she said. "Our best works are still to come."

Jonathan Abel can be reached at jabel@sptimes.com or 727 445-4157.

Fast facts

To help

A silent auction benefiting the artists burned out of the Imago Art Gallery is scheduled for 7:30 tonight at Got Wine and Cigars, 662 Main St., Dunedin.

[Last modified December 21, 2007, 21:21:31]