A Eureka Springs Gem, Containing Countless Treasures from Local Artists
EUREKA SPRINGS, ARK. – The historic town of Eureka Springs, often coined Little Switzerland, is no stranger to art. The whole town is showcased in creative endeavors to offer a unique experience like none other. While there is no shortage of shops lining the historic rock-paved streets of Eureka’s downtown, one art studio stands out like none other. On the lower portion of the highway leading to the historic loop, located at 150 North Main Street in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, is Ken Foggo’s plethora of uniquely Eurekan-inspired art. Whether one is looking to enhance the unique aesthetic of their home, seek fresh ideas for a creatively inspired project, or simply browse to appreciate a vast sampling of local artist’s latest work, this art studio positively has something for everyone.
On April Fool’s Day, April 1, 2003, the Foggos opened their pride and joy, The Eurekan Art Studio and Shop.
The Foggos took an artist’s friendly suggestion and opened the gallery in what was once a commercial kitchen for a restaurant in Eureka Springs. From 2003 – 2005, they expanded the space by moving the conventional kitchen upstairs and remodeling the large open space that now serves as a gallery to showcase hundreds of the most incredible local art pieces one can find in the enchanting little town of Eureka Springs.
Today, the current space is chock-full of unbelievable art, jewelry, keepsakes and more. There are several works by Maryevelyn Jones, who desired a unique perspective for her works, requesting they hang from the ceiling. “This is not a conventional, sterile type of gallery,” says Foggo.
At one time, Mr. Foggo had to peruse the artist market or show up to local events to try and entice artists to showcase their works at the Eurekan Art Studio and Shop. Foggo misses those days of recruiting artists. These days, art tends to find him. He has made a name for his studio and the art he displays and sells. Many local artists showcase their designs at Foggo’s studio, and word of mouth has spread so much that artists from all over the country desire a coveted spot on the crowded walls, and ceilings, of Foggo’s studio. Foggo prides himself on his unique showcase of art. “I don’t want your average, run-of-the-mill pottery. I want something you cannot find elsewhere. Pieces by Elizabeth Wolf and Maryevelyn Jones’ unique works.”
Some of the items customers can find at The Eurekan Art Studio & Shop include metal artwork, mixed media images, canvas paintings, a wide array of unique jewelry, watercolors, oils, acrylics and collages. “We offer a little bit of everything,” says Foggo, who prefers to showcase a more unique style than traditional items that can be found in the popular souvenir shops in Eureka Springs.
Foggo is always in search for unusual works of art by local artists. He pointed out several sculptures on the day of my visit, one being a work by Peggy Wyman of Missouri, a pine needle sculpture. Since many of his showcased items are difficult to hang, he has to get creative in the display of the featured art. There is a series of walking sticks that appear to be crawling up the outside of the building. These colorful creatures are also found scaling the walls inside the studio and peering down on curious customers from the ceiling. “Many customers are looking for something decorative and locally made – both of which we offer in abundance,” says Foggo. Foggo works hard to maintain a relationship with not only his artists, but local business owners as well. “The owner of So Good Kitchen requested paintings to dot the inside of this classy new restaurant,” shares Foggo.
What makes Foggo’s studio different from other Eureka Springs art galleries? For one, he offers a parking lot! It only allows for a few customers at a time, but in a town where parking is extremely limited, this is a welcome spot for many who do not wish to pay for parking or walk long distances, especially in the heat of summer or chill of winter. There are large art panels outside of the studio. Colorful pieces of inspired art that offer an invitation to curious drivers by. Foggo shared one sentiment from a customer, “I have been coming to Eureka Springs for 20 years and always meant to stop at your shop!” While the outside offers a warm embrace to the art contained inside the front door, guests are always blown away by the many amazing pieces showcased inside the studio. One could easily spend a whole day looking at art and likely not see everything displayed.
Foggo no longer offers showcases. At one time, he would highlight one or two artists, send out thousands of invitations, provide food, champagne and wine, “do it up just right and proper”, to provide a formal art exhibition. While he misses those particular ways of recruiting artists, he says the market has softened on art and it is difficult to provide a suitable show without spending a lot of money for a meager return on investment.
Many of the artists Foggo showcases do not have a master’s degree. Several are self-taught or taught art in primary school. “Many students go to college in pursuit of an Art Degree.” Foggo went on to encourage young artists to develop a backup plan involving art, like teaching or art history. Many of the artists that call Eureka Springs home work part-time in local food or entertainment industries in order to supplement their income while pursuing a career in art. “Income is not the primary thought behind art,” says Foggo.
Foggo reminisced about the early years he and his wife enjoyed visiting Eureka Springs. “Eureka was a different town then,” he lamented. With a Biology Degree in catfish production and 50 hours of writing in English Literature, Foggo’s employment history provides a diverse journey to where he is settled today. After a year working at a catfish farm, he worked with John Deere forestry equipment for six years. The Foggos then moved to Kentucky so that Nancy could obtain her Psychology Master’s Degree. Ken Foggo then worked for material handling companies and prior to the purchase of the art gallery, landed a position as a tech for LinkBelt Equipment Company, where frequent travel became wearisome and the young couple decided to put their home in Kentucky up for sale and move to Eureka Springs.
Their son, Ian, was around four months old at the time. The Foggos felt there were a lot of moving parts riding on that big move. “We felt if it was meant to be, it would happen, despite the many things that had to fall in place in order for us to move.” Apparently, it was meant to be because the moment they completed their remodel of a Victorian house in Kentucky, they received word of the current gallery space in Eureka Springs. They immediately packed up and moved their small family of three to Arkansas for a life of art, entertainment, and the adventure only youth can truly experience whole-heartedly.
In Foggo’s nearly 26 years in Eureka Springs, he has seen many changes in the artistic landscape of this small town known as ‘Little Switzerland’. “There is not quite the large number or quality of art galleries that once called Eureka Springs home. The colorfully painted panels on the side of my gallery were part of Charlotte Buchanon’s Artery Project, a local artist that ran the Saturday Art Market,” shares Foggo. This was a large-scale community project in which Buchanon supplied materials and commissioned local artists to paint themed panels in efforts to cover the concrete retaining walls by city parking lots.
In addition to adding beautiful works of art to Eureka Spring’s historic downtown communal spaces, Buchanon enjoyed showcasing films via projector onto the side of the town’s buildings. Unfortunately, sponsors and elected city council officials pulled funding for this type of creative endeavor. Thus, the artistic town’s camaraderie was replaced with locals more interested in tourism than maintaining the public displays of art that once made Eureka Springs well-known and beloved by all.
Foggo has developed personal relationships with many of the artists whose work he proudly showcases in his gallery. He has art from at least 15 deceased artists. On occasion, when an artist passes away, their family will contact Foggo to transfer the art from their estate to the studio, in hopes of more sales. Sometimes folks will sell a piece of art back to Foggo, allowing him to re-sell to another art enthusiast. “People tend to get tired of what they purchase and want something new, or they change locations and do not have adequate room to display the art they once did,” shares Foggo.
For more information on the Eurekan Art Studio & Shop, you can visit EureKan Art Studio & Shop on Facebook, or in person at 150 N. Main Street, Eureka Springs, AR 72632.
