May 1, 2003
Over 9 years ago, Bill Hosko opened his first art gallery in downtown St Paul. He was living on an old farmstead in northwest Minnesota at the time. He had been and still is making a living as a freelance architectural illustrator and artist to builders, architects, and art galleries located primarily in the Twin Cities. Work had been slow to a point back then that to survive he had been working on a nearby dairy farm for $5 /hr. One night in bed staring at the ceiling he decided the current situation was not working, and though he had little money, Bill decided to return to his hometown to open a new gallery. Soon after, either driving, taking the bus or train he started commuting each week down to St Paul.
On December 1, 1993 he opened Architectural Artwork on Galtier Plaza’s skyway level. A year later he opened a 2nd location, Hosko Gallery, on the first floor of the World Trade Center. Over six years ago he combined both locations on the skyway level of the US Bank Trust Center.
He is a stubborn man, and although he has witnessed the near disintegration of Retail in downtown St Paul over these years, he’s still standing. “I still believe in and am firmly committed to remaining here,” says Bill.
He doesn’t view downtown St Paul as a series of so called “Urban Villages” undergoing a “Renaissance” as he had been hearing for years. Downtown St Paul is ONE neighborhood of 50’000 or so people (workers & residents) under-going sure steady growth. He feels, it has, and always will encounter valleys opening up now and then. None of which need be insurmountable.
Frauenshuh Co’s, his current landlord, Bill has nothing but good things to say about. “Business at my current location has been slowly, but steadily increasing. Skyways are one of the threads that knit downtown together; my being on this friendly skyway location has been great. For some time now however, I have felt the need to be in a location that would better help the image of downtown St Paul”.
Bill found that new location one block away up 5th St. In early May he will move into the Endicott Arcade. Facing 5th, the new street level space of 2200 s/f will more than double his gallery size.
More than a few people have expressed concerns about this new location. The buildings image IS a bit lacking. That will soon change however. The Arcade and adjacent Empire Building are owned and managed jointly. He first began speaking with the management and owner last July. Combining their thoughts, this past fall and winter Bill created a set of illustrations depicting what he envisioned were ways to improve the Arcade Building’s exterior and interior appearances in a cost effective manner. After a number of discussions they have now come to an agreement on the improvements desired.
$400,000 will be invested in the properties renovation. Renovation of the gallery will be completed in October, exterior work on the Arcade will be completed by September and the interior common area work will be completed by March 1, 2004. He is excited about the transformation that will be taking place. Exterior-wise, repaired brickwork, new entry doors, light fixtures, awnings, signage, and planters combined, will beautifully compliment the adjacent historic and contemporary properties. Inside, the once grand Arcade Hall’s long hidden ornate ceiling will be revealed and restored.
For years Bill’s gallery has been closed every other week for a few days, so he could ride the rails out to the high plains of northern Montana. No more. A new fulltime employee will see to it Hosko Gallery & Framing will be open every weekday, with available evening and weekend appointments. The expanded gallery will also feature a selection of fresh flowers & plants.
Lastly two greeters will over-see the new gallery. One will be a life-size, beautifully sculptured rooster (a “Name this Rooster” contest will soon be held). The other official greeter is L.S. (rhymes with little bit) a friendly, three legged, black fur-ball Bill smuggled into his train sleeping birth when once returning from Montana.
Continue
|
