Odd Fellows Hall shaping up as hub for artists Gallery, art cafe are included By Sarah Rohrs / TimesHerald staff writer After moving into downtown Vallejo’s Temple Art Lofts, photographer and artist Sean Murdock soon longed for a place in the neighborhood where he and fellow artists could meet each other, socialize and also make and sell art. That kind of place is shaping up inside the old Odd Fellows Hall at a pivotal corner in Vallejo — Georgia and Main streets in the downtown. The building is one of the oldest in Vallejo, and Murdock is joining the newly energized service organization to make sure the hall sticks around for a long time. Many artists and others have joined the Odd Fellows San Pablo Lodge No. 43, putting their efforts into creating The Hub inside the old hall, complete with a gallery, art cafe and space for classes as well as to make art. The first order of business is raising money, which Odd Fellows are doing through an Indiegogo online fundraiser, and an Aug. 31 extravaganza called The Odd Ball, possibly the first such event inside the building in several decades, organizers said. “We’re in a ‘perfect storm’ with a lot of new residents in the arts moving in, a lot of retail in the arts and The Hub will be the connective tissue pulling that all together,”Murdock said. Artists and new Odd Fellow members have created a landscape of ideas for the building, capitalizing on new artists moving into the Temple Art Lofts and other artists moving to Mare Island Coal Sheds and elsewhere in town. Two of those artists are Chris and Katie Vardijan, also new Odd Fellow members, who are excited about the possibilities of creating The Hub and saving the old hall in downtown Vallejo. Two years ago, the couple moved from Oakland to Vallejo, pledging to do what they can to help the downtown revitalize and realize its potential. They both wanted to join the Odd Fellows and follow its tradition of helping communities and their members. “This is a bedroom community for artists,” said Chris Vardijan a performer and actor who also works full-time as a San Francisco tour guide while his wife makes jewelry and works in an SF architectural firm. “All these amazing artists are here but where are they showing their work?” he said. The Indiegogo campaign allows people to give as much as they want and receive various “perks,” or donated items and services from community members. Those include drink coupons for future Odd Fellow events, art pieces, art classes or a professional video. The Vardijans said they hope to raise $20,000 immediately to make much-needed repairs and get the building open as The Hub. The first floor retail space was last occupied by Lincoln Loan, but has seen many uses over the years, including the prestigious City of Paris department store during World War II. But, for two years the newly two-years the building has been vacant and little work has been done to lease it out. Before new members joined, the organization consisted mainly of long-time members in their 80s and 90s who couldn’t do as much work as they once did. As Odd Fellow member Paul Thorn worked on dry wall, the Vardijans walked around the large first floor area and pointed out how The Hub will unfold. As people walk into the building off Georgia Street, first they will find a gallery where artists can show and sell their work. Back further will be classrooms, a cafe, a consignment shop, and an area for a small stage where poets can do readings and musicians can play. On one wall will be a lighted map of Vallejo showing where people can find other art, such as Mare Island Coal Sheds, Mira Theater, Temple Art Lofts, and other galleries in the downtown area. In the basement, space could also be carved out for a ceramic kiln, screen-printing area, and even spots for musicians to rehearse, jam and also give lessons. Revenues will come from the gallery, from rental fees of artists needing space to teach classes or use art equipment. Murdock said he would love such a spot to teach photography classes, or glass fusing, a technique used to make jewelry and glass beads. The Hub, he said, is similar to TechShop in San Francisco where artists can rent equipment, and use space to make art. Meanwhile, the Vardijans will keep plugging away on the campaign to raise money and drum up more interest and enthusiasm for the Odd Fellows hall and The Hub. Chris said the project will likely be done in incremental steps. It’s all about putting highlighting what drew them to Vallejo in the first place. “We saw some real potential. We really think Vallejo is the best kept secret in the bay,” Chris Vardijan said. For more information on the online fundraising campaign go to igg.me/at/oddfellowsvallejo/ x/4011087. Information on the Odd Fellows efforts, including the Aug. 31 ball, is also available on its Facebook page https:// facebook/groups/5245068342 87849/. Odd Fellow members are also usually on hand in front of the building during the Saturday Farmers Market handling on fliers and talking to people. Contact staff writer Sarah Rohrs at srohrs@timesherald online or (707) 553-6832. Follow her on Twitter @SarahVTH.
Posted on: Sat, 10 Aug 2013 14:18:27 +0000
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