Story by Leah Kennedy

It is no secret that the lag in the economy over the past year caused many small businesses in Eugene and around the country to close. However, what many are unaware of is what a small group of people in Eugene is doing to help the struggling downtown area.
The Eugene Storefront Art Project is a group of people who want to combat urban blight by placing different forms of art in empty windows, drawing positive attention to what would otherwise be considered a lackluster downtown.
Earlier this year, Marc Gunther (known as Marc Time on his Sunday morning radio show), Paula Goodbar, and Peter Hurley came together by chance with a common desire to spruce up downtown Eugene with art. This past February, the ESAP was born. There are many similar groups that have been formed in other cities, but the majority of them are backed by their city offices, providing more funding and opportunities for installing art. Such is not the case with the ESAP.
“We are a grassroots organization,” Gunther says, adjusting his black-framed glasses as his voice rises slightly. “We are basically starting with no money, no funding, no clout. We are just three concerned citizens, and it is a little harder to get people to agree to let us come in and put art in their empty store. But nevertheless, we have done four installations in three and a half months.”
The group’s first installation was a collection of sculptures placed in the window of 857 Willamette in February. Since the art was installed, the property managers say there has been a surge of interest in the space, which is the ultimate goal of the ESAP.
“We hope to actually help people rent their spaces out,” Gunther says. “It’s an important facet because you’re drawing attention to empty spaces and it helps in many ways. If you fill up an empty space with a business, it helps downtown. So in essence, our group is helping to bring money back downtown.”
The most recent project was installed in downtown Eugene on May 3 in an empty Taco Time store on Broadway and Willamette. This installation features the work of Hosanna Haines, a student at Lane Community College, who says the opportunity to work with the ESAP is a blessing.
“The benefit of this show will extend my portfolio and people’s knowledge of my work,”  Haines says. “I hope to make a name for myself here in Eugene and in extended areas. This is just the beginning.”
Gunther shares Haines sentiment that this installation is a beginning.
“This one coming up is the one that I think will be the key to the rest of the city because we are on Broadway and Willamette,” he says. “That’s a pretty big deal.”
What the group has accomplished so far is impressive, and their plans for the future are even bigger. On April 30, the ESAP received a call from the Eugene city offices asking them to put up art in the pit across from the Eugene Public Library, giving their organization and the artists involved more exposure. The project will be a lot of work for the 20 or so people who give their time to the ESAP to help with installations, but all three administrators of the ESAP feel the effort will be worth it.
Gunther also said that he, Goodbar, and Hurley have discussed long term goals for the organization, which include facilitating events and finding a permanent space for artists to come and work.
“I hope it turns into something where the city or the university or some sort of entity would sort of hire us to just go around and do this or have some sort of beautification program for Lane County and we would like to coordinate that,” Gunther says. “That is where we hope it goes, and we would like to see a lot more artists jump on board.”
The Eugene Storefront Art Project is always looking for more artists, as well as people who are willing to donate time or money. To stay informed of all the projects the ESAP is involved with, to find a submission form for artists, or to donate money, visit the ESAP’s blog or e-mail [email protected].

Gallery • 1 Photos

Filling in a City’s Holes with Art