By Batala Aristide
You get dressed up, put on your best outfit and prepare for the long, brisk walk
downtown. A meeting ground for college students every weekend to have fun, live life, and if
that means getting inebriated for a few hours-why not, we’re in college.
But is that a justification for why we should continue to live this young, wild, and free
lifestyle? No and the folks at ROTA will vouch for the aforementioned statement. Located
downtown, ROTA is a non-profit cultural center where artists, musicians, painters gather three
times a week to celebrate, collaborate, and bring the arts to Plattsburgh.
ROTA was started in December of 2010 by a group of Plattsburgh State students and
locals who wanted to put on an art show. Tavish Costello was one of the students who was
instrumental in the erection of the gallery. Costello-who is Plattsburgh State alum, identifies with
art calling it his “favorite pastime”. Costello when detailing the early days before ROTA adds
“There are a lot of bars in town but there wasn’t a spot for underground bands, we just needed a
space”.
The students rented a space on Clinton Street and named the event the Rotagilla, (which
is “alligator” spelled backwards) Galleria. The term was coined by artist Nolan Federo, who
Costello says is “a really swift guy”, when referring to Federo. Costello and a group of three
other artists including Federo bounced from place to place because of their love for Art and
music. All they needed was an outlet.
The following year, ROTA was opened to the public originally at 50 Margaret Street then
has since moved to their current location 39 Bridge Street in July 2014. The new location still
does not guarantee that ROTA will be permanently stationed at Bridge Street-but there are no
concerns if that were to occur. “Home is where the idea goes. Wherever the idea goes, that is
where home will be” said Chris Shacklett.
In regards to having an art gallery in an area where bars and restaurants are the main
economic catalysts, Shacklett believes a space like ROTA is beneficial for the community.
“Somebody’s gotta do it” said Shacklett who is a drummer for the group DoomF***, and also
performed during the evening. The space is dark except for the light in the front near the
microphone which is accompanied by four headless mannequins along with lights near the
windows in the back. The setting is very intimate. You can’t help but feel this calm Zen feeling
once you enter the gallery. Paintings all over the walls represent the diversity in taste, and style-
that not only represent the artists in the community but the community itself.
“It’s a lot of variety, exposing people to diverse acts, many different acts that people
would have never known about if not for this space” said Chris Stott Rigsbee, another volunteer
at the gallery. Chris is “inspired” when acts from Germany, or Switzerland come to perform and
bring more exposure to the gallery. Canadian folk rock band La Tragedie came from Montreal to
play songs from their album in which they received a roaring applause. Access to a community
space like ROTA can give artists of any age an opportunity. ROTA is committed to bring the
arts to the North Country and have collaborated with organizations and institutions in Plattsburgh
including The Strand Theatre, and Plattsburgh State among others.
“It’s not really a community center, it’s more like a center for the community to come in
and be a part of something” said Shannon, a young woman who volunteers at the ROTA Gallery.
Shannon is a musician and also a member of DoomF***, a band that consists of a drummer and
two violinists, Shannon is one of them.
The ROTA Gallery is a space where people of all ages can come in, to share, listen, and
ultimately create. The gallery takes pride in people using the space for their own personal
activities but it is more of a” Do It Yourself” environment. And ROTA has been doing very well
for itself.
What took $575 to rent momentarily seems like the best investment. Just imagine arriving
downtown and all the bars are there but you want to do something different on this particular
night; keep walking straight down and check out the ROTA Gallery; it’s a good experience and
for college students-it’s a good way to break from the downtown norm.
No comments:
Post a Comment