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Community Comes To Aid Of Burned-out Artists

EAMONN KNEESHAW

In the early morning hours of Sunday, Dec. 9, Dunedin firefighters responded to a fire that destroyed the Imago Art Gallery, 464 Douglas Ave.

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By Mark  Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: December 22, 2007

DUNEDIN, Fla. - DUNEDIN, Fla. - The holiday spirit is alive and well in Dunedin.

Fifteen artists burned out of a downtown gallery have experienced that spirit this week, both from the city and area patrons of the arts.

In the early morning hours of Sunday, Dec. 9, Dunedin firefighters responded to a fire that destroyed the Imago Art Gallery, 464 Douglas Ave. Local fire officials called what they believe to be a deliberately set fire the "most spectacular blaze in the city's recent history."

The investigation into the suspected arson is ongoing.

At Thursday night's City Commission meeting, officials played Santa and provide the artists with a rent-free six-month temporary home in which to start over.

City officials hope the artists will have been able to find other accommodations by the end of the six months.

In the meantime, with the help of the Dunedin Fine Art Center, the city will let the artists use its 4,400-square-foot building at 620 Main St. The building is on property that will someday be part of the Gateway retail-residential development.

"The artist community is very important to the city and losses the artists are enduring are tragic," City Manager Robert DiSpirito said.

The Dunedin Fine Arts Center will oversee the city-owned building. It is next to another structure on the site the center is temporarily using for art classes, the city manager explained.

Bob Ironsmith, economic development director, said artists are a high-value asset to the city. "Artists contribute to the feel and charm of Dunedin," he said.

The building will be a perfect venue for artists to create and sell their work, Ironsmith said.

George Ann Bissett, executive director of the nonprofit Dunedin Fine Art Center, said the arts community here and all along the Suncoast has rallied to help the IMAGO artists.

A fundraiser this week at DFAC brought in a room full of art supplies and more than $26,000 to help artists displaced by the Imago fire get back on their feet, Bissett said.

Commissioner Dave Eggers, who attended the fundraiser, said the outpouring of support for the artists was amazing and passionate.

Got Wine and Cigars, a Main Street business, also put on a fundraiser to help the artists.

Commissioner Deborah Kynes said the spirit of giving is alive and well in Dunedin. Commissioner Julie Ward Bujalski said artists lost their livelihood and everything in that fire.

In the days following the blaze, firefighters helped artists sift through the ashes looking for art works that might be saved, Bujalski noted. The outpouring of support for the artists has made her proud to be part of Dunedin, she said.

Robert Sutherland, an Imago artist, thanked the city and the many people who have reached out to help him and the other artists.

Sioux Hart, another Imago artist, also thanked everyone who has come forward to help the artists get back on their feet. The fire did not destroy the artists' creativity, she told commissioners.

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