The Grand Rapids art scene is facing a poignant shift as Cultivate, a local art studio, education center, and gallery, has confirmed its imminent closure slated for the end of November. According to
WOODTV
, Mallory Shotwell, the owner of Cultivate, cited “sustainability in the arts, capacity, and my health needs” as the multifaceted reasons behind this difficult decision.
Over its three-year tenure, Cultivate established itself as not just a bastion of art but also a center for learning and community engagement. Shotwell, in a heart-wrenching social media post, exclaimed, “It is breaking my heart. My heart wants this and loved this.” She revealed that Cultivate created 26 jobs, hosted 24 art exhibits, offered over 350 fine art classes, and served more than 10,000 artists. This information was echoed by both
MLive
and a
post by Cultivate on their Facebook page
.
In the wake of the closure, a liquidation of art supplies and equipment is planned, with artists being given priority before the sale opens to the broader public. “We will sell and share our art supplies and equipment,” Shotwell mentioned on
Cultivate’s Facebook post
, ensuring all involved parties get first dibs on the resources that supported their creative journeys. Details regarding the sale and updates will be communicated through the organization’s social media channels.
Though Cultivate’s physical presence is becoming a thing of the past, its digital footprint will persist. Shotwell has been crafting articles for the past three years that have found their way into college and high school curriculums. “The website will continue to live on as a resource for people,” Shotwell affirmed on
Cultivate’s Facebook post
. The digital platform is intent on continuing the dialogue about sustainability in the arts and addressing systemic arts issues, providing a continual stream of articles, videos, and resources to the public and educational institutions alike.
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