Closing Remarks #37 (I mean)

Whether you've been reading for a while or just got here, I hope this email finds you alright...considering *sigh* everything that is going on in the world.

In this issue, I am focusing on the closures of galleries, community centers, and other critical gathering spaces. While the individual facilities might not be familiar to you, I am sure we all understand the importance of small galleries for supporting emerging artists and nurturing creativity in communities small and large. And so many of us have leaned on local cafes and bars as "third spaces" to gather with friends and also build connections, power, and solidarity. When we lose these cafes, bars, bookstores, or community centers, we lose not only a place to grab a bite or look at beautiful images, we also lose places to connect, in-person with people from many walks of life and deepen our compassion, understanding, and humanity.

1) Time-limited gallery pulls forward their timeline
Though they were offered the lease for 20 years, Greenwich, UK's Now Gallery closed after a mere 11 years. For over a decade, Now nurtured the arts scene in the area and hosted shows for such celebrated artists such as Camille Walala, Nicholas Daley, Molly and many more. No clear explanation was offered for its early departure, and the owner of the building they occupied is now scrambling to find a new occupant.

2) Arizona arts space says goodbye

With one final push to sell all the art on display, Scottsdale's Art One Gallery has closed after 32 years. While the gallery has seen lean times over the decades --- the owner even sold his personal art collection to keep it afloat --- a sustained period of slow business coupled with its owner's health issues led to the difficult decision to shut down.

Despite this blow, AO's manager said he’s going to continue working on nurturing local talent via their Art One Foundation, which raises money for student artists in high school and college.

3) Rising rents and waning markets force a Californian gallery out
Lois Lambert opened her namesake gallery in Santa Monica in 1986, and over four-decades she has devoted her life to supporting up-and-coming artists and providing a place for community members, school children, and their partner nonprofits to engage with art. Despite its longevity and reputation in the community, the expense of staying open recently became insurmountable for Lois and her team.

4) Beloved cafe and community hub
Salt Lake City's Mestizo Cafe was a Chicano-anchored venue for activists, artists, and students from nearby universities. While the owners admit tMestizo was never really profitable, it has seeded many similar community-minded cafes on SLC's working class west side, helping to nurture a vibrant scene. It also serves amazing drinks like espresso-infused horchata and Bowl of Sol, a Mexican-inspired mocha spiced with cayenne pepper. They will celebrate their last day on Saturday, September 27th.

5) Irish-American cultural center winds down operations
After over a decade of financial hardship, Milwaukee's Irish Cultural Heritage Center is wrapping up its programs and selling its building. In its historic, land-marked building, ICHC hosted performances of Irish music and dance and also stewarded the Emigration Library.

All ICHC events will be suspended as of October 2025, and they are already refusing book donations to their library, while they explore partnerships with individuals or organizations who can assist with the transition and the sale of their building and other organizational assets.

6) Beloved but embattled feminist bookstore enters final chapter
Since 1999, Bluestockings Cooperative has offered books, coffee, and a place to gather for radicals and their friends throughout New York City. The group also offered resources (such as Narcan) to drug users and others throughout their Lower East Side neighborhood. However, a perfect storm of rising rents, organizational discord, and disputes with neighbors over the past few years lead to the sudden (but not entirely surprising) announcement that the store had closed.

A note on their Instagram (where drama is also popping off in the comments) promises that they will continue to fulfill orders through December 15th. They will also continue fundraising to cover their over-$100,000 in debts owed to their distributors.

Closing Remarks is brought to you by The Wind Down, a consultancy for exploring, building, designing, and delivering better endings for mission-driven projects and organizations, and also raising closure consciousness. If you're enjoying it, please support my work.