This March, as part of Art Detour, MADE Art Boutique celebrates its 20th Anniversary!
Let me set the stage- empty dirt lots and broken sidewalks, abandoned shopping carts, tumbleweeds (literally), and random artists digging through dumpsters for materials. That was the downtown Phoenix of the early 2000’s. Bungalows with deep porches and large empty spaces from buildings demolished decades ago were the norm in those days.
At the same time, the Phoenix art culture was really coming into its own. The energy around the monthly First Friday event downtown was drawing bigger crowds, new galleries were opening monthly, with frequent pop up galleries taking over empty commercial space. Finally, small businesses were beginning to open around the Roosevelt area.
With that backdrop the artists/owners behind MADE Art Boutique opened their doors during Art Detour in March 2005. MADE was initially a 200 sq. ft space in a 1918 bungalow that eventually was connected to its sister space Eye Lounge, a cooperative artist-run gallery that opened a few years previously. Artists had studio spaces that were cheap and often clustered together making the annual Art Detour tour a weekend long meander from one eclectic space to the next. The success of First Friday and Art Detour had a large hand in the rejuvenation of the downtown core. As prices increased and the culture shifted, expanding to other areas of the valley, Art Detour (which celebrates its 37th year this month) has expanded from a weekend of studio tours and gallery openings, to a month-long celebration of the arts in the valley.
So much has changed since that time- I miss events at the Patriots Square Park, cheap studio space and galleries on every corner, $3.50 draft Guinness, and being able to find a parking space. But for all the things I miss, it has been amazing to see this area develop into a walkable, diverse, lively neighborhood full of local retail businesses and restaurants; one of the few in the central core of Phoenix. That is due in large part to the hard work of artists Cindy Dach and Greg Esser.
Here is a brief description of MADE over the years from owner Cindy Dach.
“When we first opened in 2005, it was Art Detour weekend and we had kids crafting activities in our courtyard. There were numerous galleries and studios along Roosevelt Street and along Grand Avenue, but there wasn't a place for small works and crafts. You could see and purchase a large painting, but you could not find or purchase a handmade mug. We first opened in what was the living room of a historic house built in 1918. Eye Lounge was on the north side of the building and a photo collective was on the south side. When the photography collective decided to move, MADE expanded into that space.”
“For years it was Eye Lounge and MADE with different arts studios and businesses using portions of the building. At the beginning, we only represented Arizona artists, but as some of them moved away, we didn't want to end the relationship. When we traveled we would find new crafters and want to share them with Phoenix. Today, we have over 100 national and international artists represented at MADE with a primary focus on Arizona artists.”
“Eye Lounge artist collective has been part of this building since 2000. Our spaces have shape-shifted in so many ways. Mostly, MADE was in the two rooms of the original house and eventually we became 750 square feet. We hosted workshops, themed exhibitions, and meet ups. We planted the ficus trees in 2005.”
“In 2019, we started working with Greenwood Brewery and we all shapeshifted again. Our newest iteration is 500 square feet. We have a doorway into the Eye Lounge and our courtyard is a beer garden.”
“The area has changed so dramatically in density. People live, work and play outside our front door now, and we are walking distance to so many local and amazing shops. There is so much good food. Today there are fewer artists studios and a lot more murals and outdoor artists markets.”
“As we think about the future, we hope to continue to discover new makers to share with our community and we look forward to continuing to watch our current makers grow their process and business. Our hope for the future is more of the same and to continue to evolve.”
Like most artists in the valley, Cindy and Greg were both transplants from other states, but they have made their home here for close to 30 years. Their dedication to their businesses and the community has been inspiring to watch over the years. I often wonder when they sleep, as they continue to produce artwork, pursue higher education, and operate several businesses. I want to make a point to feature some of my favorite work from them at MADE. They generally like to stay in the background (I have been trying for years to feature them in our artist spotlight), but their work deserves to be featured.
Cindy and Greg will always be modest about their contributions to the art community in Phoenix, but what they have really created is the heart of Roosevelt Row, with an ever evolving collection of businesses that surround them. As the remaining galleries in Roosevelt Row continue to embrace more diverse rosters of artists, a busy thrum of locals are here to see it all. I am grateful to have been able to see this neighborhood expand, after all the contractions, and to know that there are businesses that have survived, thrived and will always protect what is unique about Roosevelt. Shop small, shop local!
Check our news for information about our 20th Anniversary event on March 8th, and Happy Anniversary to MADE (and our fabulous ficus)!
-Judith