Behind the Scenes - Jilly's Comes Downtown
Jill Barnes, an established regional artist, recently featured during "AhFest", has moved her gallery downtown Muskegon and is open at 471 W. Western. She is leasing space from the County Museum that previously housed the Museum Mercantile, next to Sun, Wind and Rain. She is already open, but is planning a Re-Opening Celebration December 7 and 8 with refreshments and live music during business hours. While Jill has worked on many a deadline preparing for art shows and the like, the rush to get the space ready for opening was hectic and we are glad she took a few minutes to brief Main Street on the move.
MS: Tell us a little about yourself and your story as an artist?.
JB: I have created art as long as I can remember. As a child I can remember sculpting ducks out of my mothers pie dough, it was baked in the oven and then treasured. At that time my parents and I had no idea it was my true gift and love from God. I favored drawing and painting through out my school years. I loved studying nature, light and shadow. After high school I attended a few classes at Muskegon Community College. My husband John encouraged me to attend Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids. There, I worked with many mediums with great success. I had work accepted to the Society of Illustrators and graduated from Kendall College of Art with honors and at the top of my class. I worked as a freelance artist for the next year and began showing at juried art shows. Three years ago I opened Jilly’s on Lakeshore drive.
MS: What makes you excited to be moving downtown?
JB: I grew up with Petulia Clark's song Downtown and watching downtown Muskegon come back now, it is hard not to be excited. When looking for a new location for my business the positive energy and commitment of others in the area was hard to resist.
MS: What can people expect if they stop by your new location?
JB: A friendly smile, one of a kind pieces, and heat. I have created all the work in the gallery but because I use a wide variety of medias and subject matter it is ever changing. You can find a pair of simple Dichroic earings or a layered Fused glass wall mural. Driftwood sculptures and some quirky displays makes time sneak by while you're looking at my whimsical clay.
MS: How do you see art fitting into the future of Downtown Muskegon?
JB: It’s a must. More gallerys, and a variety of artists are a necessity. I feel with our Museums and Historical homes that, "Wow, the potential is unlimited". I hope to see more public sculptures to interact with. The piece in the front of the post office gives me great joy and hope.
MS: I know you were involved with the Synergy group of downtown retailers. What kind of future activities do you see Synergy undertaking?
JB:I would love to see the group work on an early spring effort of an art project. “Plein Air” An outdoor event to watch artist do their thing. It can be a day for a family to see everything from fudge being made to, hair being cut, painting, sculpture, carving…a day to get the community used to seeing the truly wonderful talent Muskegon has.
MS: Well, we’ll be sure to check out your Re-Opening Celebration December 7 and 8 and it’s great to have you downtown, with the obvious talent and enthusiasm you bring. Looking forward to your success!
JB: Thank you ! I feel like singing out, "I’m Downtown la la la laa la la".
Check it out on the web
Jilly’s Gallery
Petula Clark singing Downtown
Behind the Scenes - Synergistic Retailers
Throughout Muskegon, but especially concentrated in the downtown and Lakeside areas, are a number of specialty retailers that stand out with their unique, one of a kind, products and services. Realizing their connection, these retailers have begun to increasingly cooperate to get the word out about their offerings. One of their efforts will take place this Friday and Saturday, November 9 and 10, with an event called "Wrap It Up". This event could be your first (and last!!) day of this year's Holiday Shopping Season. Participating retailers will be decked out and will have all of their holiday inventory ready to go. We chatted with Brenda Moore, from the Clay Avenue Cellars about the new excitement retailers are feeling and some details on the upcoming event.
MS: How did you get involved in forming this “Synergy” group that is making connections with the goal of Muskegon specialty shopping being the only kind of shopping necessary?
BM: There are several shop keepers who helped fine-tune what we are doing, but I think the “tipping point” for me to take action was the repeated question from summer visitors: “where are the specialty shops?”. Since many of these neat places are scattered throughout the city it seemed appropriate to pull us together in spirit.
MS: What events/initiatives have led to the point the group is at now?
BM: A key thing we promised one another is to cross promote—if only to mention other specialty businesses to our customers and keep each other in mind as we see opportunities arise. More specifically, we have pooled talents and funds to develop joint marketing strategies, printed materials, and promotional ideas.
MS: How do you see the future of specialty retailing in the Muskegon market into the future?
BM: It will absolutely be a critical part of the city’s economy—individual, independent retailers bringing their unique flare to help mold local character. With us working together, and hopefully recruiting more small businesses to join us, our ability to affect change is much greater than if we worked individually.
MS: Tell us some more about "Wrap It Up" and the fun that is in store for the early shopping birds this holiday season?
BM: We have such a fun bunch of attentive shopkeepers! Each of the 14 participating shops are doing something special with decorations, “nibbles” and prizes. We estimated a minimum of $2,000 in prizes to be given away among us. In addition to offering gifts you cannot find elsewhere, we can pamper, help, and entertain in ways unknown in national chains.
MS: What kind of future activities do you see Synergy undertaking?
BM: Continued cross promotion and joint special events. Dovetailing with local festivals to enhance the local experience. Being ambassadors for other shops, city tourist attractions, local eateries and pubs. There are many well kept secrets in the city and we hope to tell them!
MS: The new specialty retail businesses and the focus on unique, quality products is fantastic. Thanks for your initiative to get things rolling with the winery and with the promotional efforts on behalf of Synergy.
BM: Thanks also for Main Street's help. Stay tuned and please let other specialty shops know they are welcomed to join—this is very much an evolving effort.
Late Breaking News: Jilly's, one of the Synergy shops will be open at their new location at 471 W. Western in time for Wrap it Up. Just another reason to come check it out.
Check it out on the web
Full Wrap It UP details, including a map and list of businesses involved.
Note: The November 15 Salon Thursday event at the Muskegon Museum of Art was canceled.
Jill Barnes, an established regional artist, recently featured during "AhFest", has moved her gallery downtown Muskegon and is open at 471 W. Western. She is leasing space from the County Museum that previously housed the Museum Mercantile, next to Sun, Wind and Rain. She is already open, but is planning a Re-Opening Celebration December 7 and 8 with refreshments and live music during business hours. While Jill has worked on many a deadline preparing for art shows and the like, the rush to get the space ready for opening was hectic and we are glad she took a few minutes to brief Main Street on the move. 
JB: I grew up with Petulia Clark's song Downtown and watching downtown Muskegon come back now, it is hard not to be excited. When looking for a new location for my business the positive energy and commitment of others in the area was hard to resist. 
JB: A friendly smile, one of a kind pieces, and heat. I have created all the work in the gallery but because I use a wide variety of medias and subject matter it is ever changing. You can find a pair of simple Dichroic earings or a layered Fused glass wall mural. Driftwood sculptures and some quirky displays makes time sneak by while you're looking at my whimsical clay. 
