ARTISTS ON THE FIFTH

When empty storefronts have be come common, the 25 artists of Artisans on Fifth are celebrating their success.

Today, the artists, jewelers, painters, fiber artists, potters and more will observe the cooperative's second birthday with raffles, refreshments and a ribbon cutting at noon with Mayor Melissa DeMarco.

You'lI think it's a phenomenal success story," watercolorist Jackii Molsick said. "Here we are doing great in a down economy."

Molsick, Christina Smith, Heather Glennon and Jeanne Hanley painted over the brightly colored walls of the business that had previously occupied the space, contributed fixtures and found others, such as jewelry cases, on Craigslist.

All but Hanley are still part of the group, which now has a board of directors, a business plan and is seeking nonprofit status.

"We all seem to have had other lives," Molsick said. "I had an advertising agency in Clearwater, Joyce Brady was a school administrator in Detroit and Lynn Herrick was a school principal in Marion County. Everyone had some specialty , and we gravitated to those positions here."

Artists contribute 25 percent of their sales to the Mount Dora Center for the Arts, which owns the building. Each artist also contributes time -two shifts sitting in the gallery per month.

Artists wishing to join may submit images to the group. If the group likes the art, they will then ask to see it in person.

"We try to be very inclusive, because it is our mission to support emerging artists," said president Joyce Eaton Brady , who makes jewelry. "We also create a support system for each other.

For example, Christina Smith will give a workshop in marketing our art."

Artisans on Fifth, at 134 E.

Fifth Ave., is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday . For more information, call Brady at 352449-9850 or e-mail artisanson fifth@gmail.com.

artisansonfifth@gmail.com

Orlando sentinel article February 14, 2011