Negotiations with Habitat for Humanity to help with construction are nearing completion, Charland said. If there'd been a facility like this in Paris in the 19th century, it would have been a wonderful thing for struggling artists like Van Gogh. Surrealestate president Charland, a ceramicist, said nine artists, including himself, have tentatively been approved as prospective tenants, with several others still to be interviewed. At least a half dozen permanent studios are located along North Sacramento's main street, Del Paso Boulevard, mostly between Arden Way and El Camino Avenue, said Dolores White, coordinator of Uptown Arts, a neighborhood association of art gallery operators. White said the galleries include the Matrix Gallery, Himovitz Gallery, Center for Contemporary Art, Doiron Gallery, Sol Ceramica and Native Ground American Indian Gallery of Art.
Artists meet and display their works at several cafes in the area.
White said hundreds of art lovers flock to the boulevard for the Second Saturday monthly art showings, which are held in conjunction with downtown art galleries. Another successful arts program, the Phantom Galleries, is scaling back because fewer vacant stores are available for art displays, White said. The program involved the use of unoccupied stores on Del Paso Boulevard by artists, with the rental charge waived for short-term art exhibits. Let us hear from you.