More than four months after the Nelsonville Bypass redirected State Route 33 around Nelsonville, Southeastern Ohio art advocates still see activity of the arts in the city.
“I haven’t seen the difference yet,” said Chelsa Peterson, Program specialist of ArtsWEST. “The bypass was finished only about four months ago, so I think it’s a bit early to see the difference yet.”
The $160 million bypass was expected to bring more traffic to Route 33, and with the bypass providing easier access to Athens and Nelsonville, some say this will help to facilitate additional tourism.
“This may make it easier for arts patrons to travel here for an easy day trip,” said Athens City Councilwoman Chris Knisely, D-at large.
Judy Klaer-Kerns, treasurer of Starbrick Cooperative Gallery — one of the sixteen cooperative art communities in Nelsonville — said the bypass has not “really harmed” the gallery so far.
“We are not located right next to the bypass,” Klaer-Kerns. “You can’t just pass by our gallery. You actually have to make an effort to come.”
To draw more people’s attention to art in Nelsonville and Athens, advertising is needed more than anything else, Klaer-Kerns said.
Such efforts have been made through many organizations such as ArtsWEST and Athens Municipal Arts Commission.
“The City of Athens supports the arts through the ArtsWEST facility, for which the city provides operating support,” Knisely said.
The city and other cooperating organizations have been pouring energy into creating a more art-friendly environment in Athens and Nelsonville and help promote local artists’ works.
“There are several public arts programs,” Peterson said. “APE (Appalachian Progressive Education Center) has the arts after school program, we have daily choir, several dance classes, yoga, belly dance and workshops. We try to be the center for performances, too. If the community wants to put on a show, we try to make that happen.
“Local artists get discounted rents on our venue as well. To get that, the artists need to get qualifications from ArtsWEST, for example, they need to submit letters and stuff like that. But once they get it, there will be no upfront charge. It all depends on their turnouts.”
This article originally ran under the headline "Bypass impact null on arts"
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