A 50% rent increase has forced the closure of Colonial Heights’ Side Street Gallery, a community art hub operated by historical artist Henry Kidd. The gallery, which served as a creative space for about a dozen other artists and hosted educational programs, will close its doors this Saturday following the building’s sale and subsequent price hike. According to Kidd, the loss of consistent grant funding from the Cameron Foundation further complicated efforts to maintain the location.
The Economic Pressures Facing Independent Art Spaces
According to Henry Kidd, the gallery’s financial model relied on a mix of artist participation and external support, specifically mentioning that the absence of a Cameron Foundation grant this year made the new rent unsustainable.
Community Impact Beyond the Canvas
Beyond its role as a commercial gallery, Side Street Gallery functioned as a local resource center. Kidd utilized the space to host art classes for students ranging from elementary to high school levels. Additionally, the gallery provided a venue for drug and alcohol intervention groups, offering participants a creative outlet to support their recovery. Kidd’s history of community engagement includes raising $25,000 for New York firefighters and police following the Sept. 11 attacks, an effort that involved distributing hundreds of prints and thousands of posters to firehouses.
Future Prospects for Displaced Artists
Despite the closure of the physical storefront, the collective of artists who shared the space remains a priority for Kidd. He is currently searching for a new, affordable location to house the group’s work. Kidd, who spent 30 years at Philip Morris before pursuing art full-time, views this transition as a lifestyle change rather than the end of his mission. He continues to focus on his work, which includes a notable series of paintings on historical military stretchers intended to honor veterans and soldiers.
Pro Tips for Sustaining Small Art Galleries
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is Side Street Gallery closing?
- The gallery is closing due to a 50% increase in rent following the sale of the building and the lack of anticipated grant funding from the Cameron Foundation.
- What will happen to the artists who displayed there?
- Henry Kidd is actively searching for a new, affordable space to accommodate the dozen artists who previously shared the gallery.
- What kind of art did Henry Kidd specialize in?
- Kidd is a historical artist known for painting military history, including a series created on historical military stretchers.
Are you a local artist or a patron of the arts in Central Virginia? Share your thoughts on how our community can better support independent galleries by emailing the CBS 6 Newsroom.