Plymouth Neighborhood Offers ‘Free Little Art Gallery’
Sometimes, a little inspiration is just around the corner. Teodora Pogonat takes that literally — as the host of a tiny gallery on her street corner.
“The entire premise is take a little art, give a little art, take a little supplies, give a little supplies,” Pogonat said.
She and her family moved to Plymouth from Texas last year and was looking for ways to spread her love of art in her own way.
“I just really wanted something in our new home to kind of celebrate it, and bring the community together,” Pogonat said.
Pogonat opens the door to her Free Little Art Gallery. It was crafted with a box typically used for “Little Free Libraries.”
The little gallery is a home to art and supplies of all kinds from anyone who drops them off. Supplies include paper, chalk, pencils and all kinds of materials.
“There have been so many donations of art supplies, markers, watercolors, paintings, crafts,” Pogonat said.
In terms of art, it can be anything. Many pieces come from neighbors of all ages. Some of the pieces are donated by professional artists for free.
“I have donations from Massachusetts and Texas, and even some that will be coming in from Florida soon!” Pogonat said.
Free to Create
Though her property is quiet on a Thursday afternoon, you can see remnants of joy chalked on the side of the box. Pogonat said her neighbors love to create on the side of the road.
Some of the pieces on display inside Pogonat’s rotating gallery.
“Every once in a while, I’ll come out getting ready to go to work, and I’ll hear their little giggles because they’re waiting for the bus stop,” Pogonat said. “It makes me so happy to hear and see other people so incredibly happy over this.”
Hers is the first in the west metro. She hopes it expands, and doesn’t plan on stopping curating any time soon.
“It’s actually been an absolute voracious consumption of this art, and I’m so happy,” Pogonat said.
Free Little Art Gallery is an unofficial group of art curators in neighborhoods throughout the U.S. and beyond. Most are set up by individuals like Pogonat.
There are nearly 600 galleries worldwide, according to the group. You can learn more about what they call “FLAGs” on its website.
Pogonat’s gallery is located at the corner of Windemere Curve and Pineview Lane North in Plymouth. She welcomes people curious about art to take anything and artists of all ages to drop off art.
