by Tammy Peacy
Franco Tarsitano calls Melanie Hovey the Mother of Art in Kenosha. This is a term she isn’t entirely comfortable with.
“I don’t say the Mother of Art… That seems like a kind of lofty position,” says Melanie, “I’m more like the mother to the artists’. I’m the go-to person.”
Melanie, a painter and stained glass artist, is the founder and director of Lemon Street Gallery, an artist’s collective that began when five artists sitting around a table in the spring of 1998, said, “Wouldn’t it be cool if we could exhibit together?”
“We had a space downtown that one of the artists had been renting,” reports Melanie. “She was done being in business, so she said, ‘You can have this space if you want it.’” The rent had been paid for the month, but the group couldn’t gather enough artists together during that one month period to make a go of it. “But the seed was planted.”
Melanie and her husband began shopping for a building that would produce an income to pay the mortgage. “We bought this building and the apartments upstairs, they pay the mortgage,” she says of the former liquor store at the corner of Sheridan and 46th Street. “We said, ‘Okay, we’re ready. We’ve got a place. Let’s go.’ We opened November 5, 1999.”
As an artist’s collective, the members at Lemon Street made decisions about what they wanted to get done and how things would be run.
“One of the things that has been a hallmark of Lemon Street Gallery is that from the very beginning we have facilitated what artists and people need. That was providing workspace, or networking opportunities, or exhibition opportunities. Bring your kids, some people have brought their dogs. Everybody is welcome. Everybody needs to have art in their life.”
In the beginning members volunteered one day per month. Up until a year and a half ago, there was no paid staff.
“Whenever Franco [Tarsitano] came on board, we were doing what we had been doing and it was fine. Franco has a very keen business sense and he saw us more as a thriving organization that could really be doing so much more.”
Since Franco was hired on as manager, Lemon Street has been more involved in community outreach and partnering with other arts focused non-profits.
“We’re working with a few corporations right now that have opportunities for artists,” Melanie said in response to the question of where she sees Lemon Street’s future as their ten-year anniversary approaches. “It’s very exciting. I see Lemon Street doing some absolutely phenomenal things.
“I will say that as the director of Lemon Street I’m in this wonderfully unique position of being very aware of the arts development in our community.”
Melanie is on the board of AHA!, the Arts and Humanities Alliance of Kenosha and one of the founders, as well as a founding member of the Kenosha Harbor Market.
“I’m very involved in every kind of aspect that will facilitate arts opportunities to artists as well as helping the community really understand the economic benefits of providing good arts opportunities.”
Melanie may not consider herself the Mother of Art in Kenosha, but she’s doing a rather fine job of gathering it into her arms, nurturing it and giving it what it needs to grow. Kind of like, well, a mother.
Melanie Hovey you have been “Exposed”.
11 comments ↓
Delightful and informative, Tammy.
As always, Nice Work.
Joe
I have had the pleasure of knowing Melanie for a number of years, first as one of the Lemon Street models, and then as a friend. She has encouraged my contribution to the art community and helped me to spread my wings within it. Just as any “mother” would. I’m thankful that our paths have crossed, and that her vision has helped foster my own.
Oh, gush… Thanks, Tammy, nice article. It was great taking to you and your son, Kegan. I can’t wait to read about other Exposed Kenoshans.
that’s my mom, and proud of her!
Melanie , don’t be so bashful. You are most definitely Kenosha’s “Mother of Art”
Lemon Street Gallery is energy and creativity. I remember when I first met Melanie she was knee deep in renovating the gallery. She was totally welcoming and interested in who we were also. She opened a very special place that all of Kenosha should support and be proud of. A beautiful gallery to match a beautiful soul.
Melanie is one of the most understated, effective people I have ever met. She gets things done, isn’t afraid to dirty her hands, and lets nothing get in her way. She is a board member of Kenosha Common Markets, Inc., AKA, Kenosha HarborMarket, because she does represent the arts community so well. When I grow up, I want to be just like Melanie.
Ray
…and she’s pretty.
I guess you have to keep checking back on these interview comments. I thought we were done with me a long time ago! Ray, thanks for all your kind words. I’m fairly sure you will never grow up, so you probably won’t have the opportunity to be just like me. But, I’ve been watching you carefully for years, and with any luck, I’ll grow up to be just like you! Ron, the man with the gazillion-dollar smile, you’re mighty pretty yourself!
I’ve had the pleasure to know Melanie in what is probably one of her most little-known roles–a fabulous landlord/lady, whichever title she prefers! (Land Baroness, perhaps?! Ha ha!) I was a tenant of Melanie’s for many years, and was thrilled to have her blessing to paint our apartment with the bright colors I love, to use a bit of creativity and make it our own, so to speak. (Each time we visit the Columbus Park farmer’s market, it’s great to see that the outside door with the same blue hues that we painted it)! Though we lost touch for a few years, it’s been great to reconnect with her recently, at the gallery a couple of times and at the HarborMarket. I’m happy that you’ve had great success with Lemon Street, Melanie, and it’s been a continual pleasure to know you and Steve over the years. Here’s to continued success!
Melanie, shame on thee for thy misplaced modesty. The Kenosha art movement would be nowhere near the success it is without your hard work. Take a bow, for chrissakes! I have spoken.
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