Toucan Gallery

Toucan Gallery – Response http://www.toucanarts.com/

Functional Considerations:

When traveling, downtown parking can be a game, however I appreciate the eye-catching hanging window sign I could spot the gallery from the street. The traffic flow inside the gallery allows room for the viewer to enter and feel enough room to move around in such a small space. The organization of the artwork on display does not interfere with the traffic exploration. The space is organized with the gallery space throughout the front half of the space, then counter space divides the gallery and the frame shop, downstairs there is a space for art classes and then the rest for storage and packaging artwork to mail. The gallery space is open because of the beautiful high ceiling and a sky light in the middle of the space, (my favorite). The downstairs space for art classes seems small because of the architecture construction and ‘low’ ceiling. The building has an interesting history that also makes the gallery interesting.

Formal Considerations:

The Toucan gallery is a non-traditional gallery and does not utilize labels as much. They are working to create an environment that displays artwork to sell art work. The artworks are provided with prices and customers may ask about the artist and the works created for more information. The 3-D artworks are on display on tables and furniture at varying heights while the 2-D works are arranged on the walls which have shelf ledges that allow easy access and re-design to filter works through the space. The organization of the gallery reminds me more of merchandising a store, making the space appeal to the customer and draw them in and entice them to make a purchase. There are many interesting visual displays within the gallery. They utilize a tree decorated with lights to hang scarves from, and there are no chords extruding out to trip the viewer. The furniture used to display the 3-D works are beautiful and add to the shop aesthetic. Every artwork exists within the space together allowing the viewer to move throughout the space and stop where interest intrigues. The gallery’s style mimics that of the shops found downtown, like an antique shop, you must explore to find a treasure.

Conceptual Considerations:

“The gallery provides a continually changing aesthetic experience as new artists are regularly brought into the mix, and with Toucan dedicated to its mission of promoting art for everyone, the price points remain reasonable, the art attainable.” -Toucan Gallery

The gallery space is created with fluidity allowing the viewer to explore at any point within the space. This is effective because it allows the artwork to have an opportunity to be bought like in a shop setting. The artwork feels approachable and like the viewer can touch and explore it.

Visitor Observations:

Visitors under the age of 25 would like the fluidity of the space and the ability to explore, however, they may not like how things aren’t displayed with artist information. The gallery provides not only a gallery space, but a frame shop, and art classes which is a highlight for viewers over the age of 25. A least popular aspect for viewers over the age of 25 could be that they may not feel like they are in a gallery for art but a shop for art atmosphere. The space can be shared in the sense of shopping and exploring the artworks but the gallery lacks the experience. I feel that the space allows the viewer to connect with art and then experience the art at home if they decide to make a purchase. If I could change one thing about the gallery space it would be to improve the art classroom area making it more interesting and obtainable because it is a highlight that can appeal to a varying audience range.