Pat:(via text): John, back in the States. I have someone I want you to talk with who is about to launch a new concept for artists. I want to get some press/buzz going & you're the guy. call me when free...
20 seconds later
Pat: Geez, that was quick. You don't have much going on, do ya...
That's all it took. When I met Pat this summer, I knew we were both "like-minded" individuals. We met at Big Star, in Wicker Park, and spoke for several hours. After the first 30 minutes, I knew he was a guy I could learn a lot from. Not just in the business sense, but more about living up to my potential as a person. So when he called me about Strictly Locals, I didn't hesitate. Sure, my acting career was peaking that summer, with a lead in a Navy Pier commercial (no link, sorry). It wasn't enough. PJAMS, my former promo company, was on permanent hiatus. I needed a fresh, new outlet.
Less than a week later, I waited to meet Elie at a bar, with no real clue of what I was getting involved in. In walks this 6'4'', heavily-tattooed guy, who is bubbling with energy about this new concept he had for an art gallery.
Construction started soon after that. Elie is a master craftsman, and planned to build the whole place himself. You cannot image how impressive this was to watch first hand. Pat, Elie, and I walked through the empty space formalizing a plan about what we wanted to create.
Elie went to work on the floors:
Next came the idea of being innovative. We wanted Strictly Locals to be the complete opposite of a typical art gallery; formulating all the features we'd want in not only an art gallery, but an event space! We needed a DJ booth. More importantly, we needed a DJ booth, that drops down to a stage.
Innovation became our main focus during the construction process. The conundrum: How could we make Strictly Locals a place where artists not only wanted to display their work, but hang out. We came up with several solutions. We created an "Artists Lounge", complete with Wi-Fi, white boards, and private work studios. This will allow Strictly Locals to host forums and groups where artists can collaborate on their artwork, plan events/gallery shows, as well as, get feedback from other artists. Our artists can create on-site, and get instant feedback from their peers. In keeping with the convertible theme, our private studios collapse into the walls.
Our finishing touches includes a front desk that converts to a bar, and a majestic double waterfall, both hand-built by Elie:
We are less than a week away from the opening of Strictly Locals, our brand new Artist Exchange in Andersonville. I cannot believe all the progress we've made in the past few months. We've gone from a bare 3,000 sq foot store front, to an all encompassing artists jump off. Our walls have gone from dust-covered, to bursting to life with amazing artwork from local Chicago artists. Strictly Locals: Built by an Artist...For Artists.
