John Mortensen opened his Soft Machine Gallery in a hard neighborhood, Ridge Avenue down in the 1st Ward. Selling art and culture in Allentown is a hard sell. However, I don't think John need fret about his choice of location, because selling art on Hamilton Street is equally a hard sell. Although there is a $billion dollars of new buildings on the Hamilton Street NIZ District, being financed by $70million of our tax dollars annually, even the Moravian Bookstore's annex couldn't survive there.
What brings me to John's Gallery is his continuing struggle on a local facebook group about Allentown Issues. He has documented how desolate the NIZ is, despite the massive public financing of privately owned buildings. Some group members, rather than appreciate his input, think that they should be cheerleaders for the NIZ. They accuse him of being negative. One person even claimed that they could take pictures of desolate Ridge Avenue. John replied.... you are comparing Center City to the 1st Ward.. first mistake. Our gallery is in a long forgotten about neighborhood that is typically avoided so bringing people to events are sometimes challenging.
I applaud John for his efforts on Ridge Avenue. Likewise, I applaud Billy Mack for his efforts on 4th Street. These counter culture efforts, in off path locations, make for an interesting city.
John Mortensen is a write-in candidate for Allentown City Council
Mike,
ReplyDeleteThanks for this background on John. I had no idea. That said, selling Art anywhere is tough, especially in a place like the 1st and 6th wards. Putting a micro brew/gallery there might find duel success.
Finally,we both have learned that those who express views contrary to the excepted orthodoxy, or point out unpleasant facts, are shunned and shamed. No amount of vile directed at those who dare to disagree is deemed excessive.
This perhaps explains so much as to the current sad state of our city.