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The Arty Bunker – part gallery, part classroom – planned for 45th and Baltimore

April 14, 2015

ArtyBunker

Artist and West Philly resident Samantha Mayo and her partner Kevin Buttery have an interesting, West Philly-centered idea for the empty space at the corner of 45th and Baltimore, right across the street from Milk and Honey Market. They are planning to open “The Arty Bunker,” part art shop for local artists to sell their work to the community and part classroom for kids to take art classes during the day and for B.Y.O.B. painting classes for adults in the evening.

Samantha and Kevin have everything in place to start their business as soon as possible except for the funding, and are currently raising money that would help cover start-up costs and overhead of the shop and classroom. This past Saturday the pair went to Clark Park to spread the word (some of you probably saw The Arty Bunker flyers around the park), and next Saturday they are planning to set up a facepaint table in the park and talk to more people about their idea.

The fundraising goal is $12,000, and the money is being raised through Kickstarter. “No one would get charged until we reach our goal and we have until May 7 until our Kickstarter expires,” writes Samantha. “This is really West Philly community oriented so any support from the community helps!”

Samantha and Kevin say that they understand the risks associated with starting a business:

“We have the motivation and inspiration to overcome the challenges of starting a company. We are two, well-educated and passionate people who are determined to make The Arty Bunker a reality in West Philadelphia.”

If you like Samantha and Kevin’s idea and would like to support it, please go to their Kickstarter page for more information and to make a donation: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/239485913/bring-the-arty-bunker-to-west-philadelphia.

Also, check out the video the guys posted on Kickstarter:

6 Comments For This Post

  1. Robert Says:

    Sign my kids up Samantha and Kevin!

  2. Anon Says:

    What are the risks associated with starting a business with other people’s money?

  3. Me Says:

    I like the idea for the business, and that’s a good spot for something like it.

    I have concerns, though. The Kickstarter video is little more than video of Clark Park with a voice assuring the watcher that she loves West Philly.

    Okaaaay, that’s all nice – but since you’re asking for start-up costs, do you have a viable, well-conceived business plan? Do you have capital of your own, a lot of it, to cover expenses for however long it takes to become profitable? With creative businesses, this can take a very long time.

    I know a guy with a business like this who has managed to keep it open for about 6 years. It is truly a labor of love for him. He works there all day 6 days a week, and on his off day sells his artwork at festivals to make ends meet. His girlfriend has loaned him money, and helps out in the store for free. On busy Saturdays when he needs extra help, he can only afford to hire teenagers who work for minimum wage. He has also watched most of his area competitors close up shop because the profit margins are just too thin.

    That said, he’s not based in an area like that part of West Philly. This duo MAY be able to make more of a go of this based on location alone. But they’re going to need more than just Kickstarter money to have a different result than the many businesses that have opened and quickly closed in that spot. I would rather see them put in the work and money to open on their own, which would prove they have what it takes to possibly make this work, and THEN monetarily support their effort. I think a lot of people will donate, but more would donate if they saw something more in this video than just another two artistic dreamers. It just feels like they haven’t gotten very far in the planning process here. If I’m wrong and they have, how about a better-made video that shows just how much pre-planning has already gone into the business? Good luck to them.

    One viable idea for this spot – make it more of an artistic co-op. Bring in more neighborhood crafters; pool your money and labor. Have a knitting person to handle selling materials to knitters and offer knitting lessons. Bring a pottery person in. Bring a mosaic expert in. The more diversified this business is, the more likely it’ll be successful.

  4. Samantha Says:

    Thank you for your insightful input. We will try to answer some of the questions you have presented in Kickstarter updates. If you would like to get updated on the progress and details of the project please send us a message on Kickstarter so we can contact you through email!

    https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/239485913/bring-the-arty-bunker-to-west-philadelphia

    Sincerely,

    Samantha Mayo

  5. Samirah Says:

    Why just kids classes, though? I love painting and would love to learn technique from other artists, and the location would be PERFECT for me to be able to get there!

  6. zoe Says:

    Why not support a decades old, thriving west philly institution that is already offering all of the exact same services? Aka The University City Arts League. Their annual benefit gala is coming up.

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