Jackson is known as the "Prison City," but there is another side of Jackson that could overthrow the stereotype: a vibrant arts community rallying for education, imagination, and involvement, the center of which begins at Art 634 (634 North Mechanic Street). Whether you walk, run or hitchhike, Art 634 is a must-see of Michigan arts and the starting point for redefining a city.
"We have an enormous cultural hotbed: a fabulous symphony, a phenomenal museum, galleries, and an inordinate number of artists and musicians. So when you say ‘Prison City,' it pounds a huge mallet on it." said Margaret Riggle, General Manager of Art 634.
Riggle and the artists of Art 634 hope Jackson becomes an art destination and instead of being known as "Prison City," people will someday nickname it "Prism City" for all of the colors and light that art can shed on a community.
Art 634 contains dozens of galleries and artistic businesses as well as public art spaces. Housed inside of a manufacturing facility built in the mid-1800s, the building used to be the workplace of convicted criminals in an effort to decrease costs using prison labor. Though the building recalls its industrial times with large metal piping along the ceilings and original wooden beams the size of tree trunks and thick brick walls, 10 years of restoration and remodeling efforts have transformed the facility into a beautiful and functional home for the arts.
Riggle welcomes the public, "We have artwalks the fourth Friday and second Sunday of every month where people can come through, shop, meet artists and most of the businesses will be open. There's music, wine and refreshments. I change out the artwork in the public spaces once a month so people can have a place to go in Jackson to see something different each month."
One of the big draws for Art 634 is that it's the home for Jackson School of the Arts (JSA), a non-profit organization for children, teens and adults. Among some of the workshops offered through JSA are silk dyeing, collage works, glass mosaics, dance and photography, all instructed by community artists.
A retail shop, Hazelle M. Designs is a perfect place to find presents for the holidays, specializing in jewelry, tableware and gifts. The art for sale is made by both international and local artists. Owner Suzanne Walz handpicks all items in her store, from handbags, to necklaces and furniture to home décor and paintings. This colorful and vibrant shop offers handcrafted, useable art at prices for all budgets.
Across the hallway is Big Tree Gallery, operated by Kay Howard, whose art is hand-built pottery. Her gallery is full of pieces from more than 30 local artists. One of the founding members of Jackson's Potters Guild, Kay knows many local artists of her craft and proudly displays their work as well as her own pieces. Not exclusively a potter's shop, Big Tree also has fused glass, tile work and woodwork art for sale.
If you're looking to transform a wall in your home or office, Sharon Sunday of Creative Endeavours can help you out. She paints large-scale murals as well as pastels and monotypes and enjoys working en plein air.
During the hibernating months of winter, a visit to Bo-Kay Studio will lift your spirits. Owner, Betty Kay Renegar Price takes photos on roadtrips and then from her photos, she creates paintings with wild and bright colors. She also makes paper-bead earrings, cards and multi-media art and more.
Steve Sayles, a metalwork artist, has a studio and gallery at Art 634. His work can be seen throughout the building as he created many metal doors between gallery spaces. Even before one enters Art 634, Sayles' industrial steelwork can be viewed just by looking across the street at the new bus stop, created by Sayles.
Art 634 is also home to creative businesses, not only art galleries. A person could get a massage at Rose City Massage & Therapeutics. Spa items, like masks and soap-scrubs and lotions are locally hand-crafted. Fancy Shmancy is an event planning business that can organize weddings, reunions, birthdays and anniversaries, to name a few. Another creative business is the hair salon, appropriately named Hair 634 which offers everything one might want from an upscale salon at competitive prices: cuts, colors, styles, manicures and pedicures. Inside Art 634 is a gallery by the same name, owned by Riggle with her design line of fashion and clothing accessories called Maggie Drew Designs.
All businesses, studios, galleries and educational institutes lend to Art 634's goal of making Jackson ‘The Prism City' a colorful arts destination. Art 634 has spaces for events as well as studio and business space available to rent.
December Holiday Fest
Dec. 13, noon-4 p.m.
Art634.com,
Includes art demonstrations, signature cocktail recipes, scarf-tying, Japanese fabric wrapping for packages, holiday decorating on a budget, being more creative in your daily life.
Artwalks - Every second Sunday and fourth Friday of the month
Sundays: 12-4 p.m.; Fridays: 12-8:30 p.m.
Art, music, wine, food and camaraderie - shop for all your gift needs for the coming month. Note: There will be no Artwalk on Dec. 25.
