Today we’d like to introduce you to J Morgan McCallum. Her and herteam shared their story with us below:
Good Art Co. was started by two artists who couldn’t find the do-it-all “unicorn” of a creative space they needed or wanted—so they set out to build their own. Shaun and Morgan McCallum, a master printmaker and oil painter/arts writer, respectively, wanted to do more than open a gallery or studio. They wanted to create a true community-driven space that served all artistic interests, inspired all artists, and invited folks of all stripes inside to engage with local makers and artisans. After over a year of looking, they found a mixed-use building at 10 Central Avenue in downtown Greenville split in half: dated, dark studios on one side and a residence needing repair on the other. The building had a long history of being an art space and was part of a beautiful historic neighborhood, but all other interested buyers wanted to tear it down. When the owner (a painter) discovered that Shaun and Morgan tried to keep it as an art space, she was thrilled to hand them the keys. Years and a half later, the historic building has been painstakingly renovated and restored into 14 state-of-the-art working artist studios, an immersive and contemporary gallery, a Makerspace with a printmaking press shop, and more. The outdoor gardens were preserved, a bold new mural is in the works, and the community of in-house creatives has already started welcoming visitors, collectors, and even yoga classes! Plans include adding an artist residency for long-term visiting artists and expanding the year-round Art Shop.
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but the journey has been fairly smooth.
Taking a multi-level building that has lived multiple lives as a law office, art studio, and even private residence—and looks like it, too, Frankenstein-style—and transforming it into one cohesive-looking, beautiful, and comfortable space was a monumental challenge renovation, including tearing down walls and leveling floors, punching out big, bright windows in all of the artist studios, installing new equipment for contemporary artists like projectors, and replacing old stairs and decking.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
What sets Good Art Co. apart is that we’re a creative, collaborative collective of diverse artists under one roof—thus the “Co.” because you’re always in good company here. You don’t just see one painter or even ten when you visit our space. You’re immersed into a community of makers with complementary talents and unique specialties: traditional oil portraitists, vibrant abstract painters, gifted local photographers, mosaic and mural creators, fire performers, body painters, printmakers and designers, and mixed-media mavericks. Our 16 in-house studio artists bring varied and inspiring expertise across all interests to play in one stunning, sunny location.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
We are open 10 am-6 pm Wednesday through Saturday and later in the evenings for events like Greenville’s Monthly First Fridays Gallery Crawls, yoga classes, film screenings, and more. Unlike other by-appointment-only studios, we aim to be accessible and welcoming year-round and throughout the week: a place for locals and visitors alike to pop in, meet artists and see their process up close, collect something memorable to take home, chill in the lounge or explore the garden—you name it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.getgoodart.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodartcogvl/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goodartcogvl/
Image Credits
All images provided by Good Art Co.
