Art gallery Blak Sage seeks ‘injection of culture’
Downtown Hollister doesn’t have a reputation for its arts scene,
but Jim Wood hopes to help change that.
Wood opened Blak Sage Gallery of Fine Art, what he described as
a
”
museum-style
”
environment inspired on a spring 2008 trip to New York, seven
months ago when it hosted its first showing.
He owns the building that now houses the gallery and other
businesses on the 700 block of San Benito Street and needed a new
tenant when Perfectly Imperfect closed in late 2007.
Art gallery Blak Sage seeks ‘injection of culture’
Downtown Hollister doesn’t have a reputation for its arts scene, but Jim Wood hopes to help change that.
Wood opened Blak Sage Gallery of Fine Art, what he described as a “museum-style” environment inspired on a spring 2008 trip to New York, seven months ago when it hosted its first showing.
He owns the building that now houses the gallery and other businesses on the 700 block of San Benito Street and needed a new tenant when Perfectly Imperfect closed in late 2007.
He chose to start a business himself, thinking Hollister could use an injection of art downtown. His new profession sprouted from a hobby – he specializes in furniture and fixture designs – but he also had the idea because his son Chase is a fine arts major at California State University, Long Beach, and the dad figured he could eventually show his work there.
Wood has hosted several exhibits since the opening, including a variety of works from high school students at one time, while artist Frank Toole’s eclectic paintings currently hang from each wall in the long, narrow space that features the original 1907 concrete flooring, white walls and metal trim to fit that museum style he seeks.
Wood hopes interest in the gallery eventually grows by word of mouth and he plans to expand his promotion of the business on the Web, particularly social networking sites. He also strives to capture out-of-towners by capitalizing on this area’s landscapes.
“People that like art, they like to go to scenic places,” he said.
Wood considers his other business, a label-making company called Sage Blanc his wife started in the mid-80s, his “real job” for now and said he “doesn’t expect to make a fortune” on the gallery.
“Hollister just needs an injection of culture,” he said, “right in the heart.”
Upcoming event
The work of many local artists will be on display April 4-26, including those participating in San Benito County’s Open Studios event April 25 and April 26. The open studios portion of the exhibit at Blak Sage will include jewelry, ceramics, paintings, photography, pottery and stained glass. During the Artists’ Reception on April 4, the HDA will hold its Charming Chairs event, which will display 30 chairs that have been decorated and designed for auction. The silent auction will be April 4 to April 18, with the chairs on display at downtown business. Funds are donated to the Downtown Businesses Endowment Fund.
