Mt. Airy Art Garage makes its move

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Linda Slodki (left) and Arleen Olshan pose in front of their new temporary storefront. (Photo by Pamela J. Forsythe.)
Linda Slodki (left) and Arleen Olshan pose in front of their new temporary storefront. (Photo by Pamela J. Forsythe.)

Mt. Airy Art Garage (MAAG) moved in early August, but it didn’t go far. As they wished, after facing the loss of their lease, founders Linda Slodki and Arleen Olshan stayed in the neighborhood, relocating just six blocks away, into what was a tax preparer’s office.

The small storefront at 6622 Germantown Avenue is just temporary, but has one huge advantage: It has a perfect view of what will become MAAG’s permanent home, a parcel right across the street, at 6655-6659 Germantown Avenue. Over the next 18 months, as a new multi-use facility takes the place of three decrepit buildings, Slodki and Olshan will have a front-row seat.

Right now, however, the creative placemakers must squeeze a gift shop and gallery into the refurbished tax office. Popular MAAG programs will relocate in the community, so that the arts and culture nonprofit, founded in 2009, will not lose momentum.

Murals and markets in the community

MAAG’s participation in the Philadelphia Open Studio Tours, and its popular Holiday Market, will be held at The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (7301 Germantown Avenue). “We’re also looking into doing some kind of outdoor event,” notes Olshan.

Instead of local students coming to MAAG this fall, MAAG will go into two elementary schools. Weekly visits will begin in October at Henry H. Houston Elementary, an old friend, and Emlen Elementary. “They’re our new neighbors, and the staff and parents have been very welcoming,” says Slodki.

Site-specific murals, made from student artwork, are planned for each school, an extension of the Community of Pride initiative. “We’re going to work with fourth to sixth graders and ask, ‘What makes you proud?’” says Olshan. Supplies and teacher stipends will cost $19,000, and fundraising is about halfway there, she says, noting that East Mt. Airy Neighbors helped with a grant.

Help for a future home

That’s just one way the community has buoyed Slodki and Olshan since they learned their lease would not be renewed. The most critical help came from Mt. Airy USA, a community redevelopment organization.

The group had its eye on a string of structures in the 6500 block of Germantown Avenue, and thought MAAG could become a main tenant in a rebuilt multi-purpose building. “We’re going into an area that’s on the cusp,” says Olshan of the section, where hollowed-out structures are interspersed with new businesses and construction.

The women have been meeting with architects to plan the new space. MAAG will occupy the ground floor, with room for studios, a gallery, and gift shop. “We’re not sure about performance space yet,” adds Olshan.

In addition to helping find permanent space, Mt. Airy USA owns MAAG’s temporary quarters. Slodki and Olshan envision incorporating a Mt. Airy welcome center into the site, both to accommodate increased visitor traffic to the neighborhood and introduce MAAG to new eyes.

A year ago, the women were wondering if MAAG could or even should continue. But Mt. Airy spoke up, first with anger at their displacement, and then with offers of help. So in addition to having a good view of where they’re going, Slodki and Olshan also have a clear picture of where they stand in the neighborhood.

At right: These three vacant properties on Germantown Avenue, currently under redevelopment thanks to Mt. Airy USA, will host MAAG's future home. (Photo by Pamela J. Forsythe.)

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