A group of independent artists are collaborating to bring an art exchange to the Historic Downtown Square in Gainesville.
Michael Parks with Michael Original Art shared the exchange follows the same concept of a “Little Free Library” with artists leaving and taking art to share with the community. The exchange is made out of a repurposed vintage dollhouse, which Parks decorated alongside other North Georgian artists.
“I got with some local artists by the name of Ashes Avrin, Hasten Huff Statler and Ames Cook, and they came together with me and created this beautiful house that we have here, and have helped me put some art inside of it,” Parks said. “Now our hope is that we can get it put out somewhere where local artists and non-artists alike can come together, create art, bring it, exchange for a piece that's in there, or keep their own… and just promote art.”
Parks also credited fellow artists Danny Muir and Vic Jordan with the house's design.
The concept of the art exchange aims to promote creativity within the community. While the project currently has no permanent location, the group has taken it to local art-centered events and the downtown square in Gainesville and seen positive reactions.
“When we went and had our first open on the street art exhibit with it, there was probably 100 people that interacted,” Parks recalled. “…100 pieces of art were coming in and out. So it was nice to see…it would transform every hour.”
Parks will continue to provide updates on the art exchange on his artist instagram account @michealoriginalart.
