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Area 61 began as a storefront for three area woodworkers who needed a place to show their work, or maybe that’s just what the U.S. government wants you to think.
Named after the mysterious military base believed to be involved with extraterrestrials, artists David Crewe, Rudd Montgomery and Phil Timm were drawn to the 61 Main Street location after initially looking for a smaller space for their showroom.
“The arts here are up and coming,” said Crewe. “We hope it will really take off, like Frazier (Avenue) now.”
David Crewe with one of his pieces at woodworkers' co-op Area 61, which also showcases photography, ceramics, and paintings by local artists.
The close proximity of galleries in the Main Street area is convenient for buyers and allows ample opportunities for promotional and artistic collaborations.
For the past several months, Crewe said he has been working with potter Shadow May to create custom handcrafted sink vessels, while Montgomery recently teamed up to build a table with glass inserts made by Chris Mosey of Ignis Glass.
Area 61 officially opened during the Palate 2 Palette fundraiser held on the Southside in April, and was one of several galleries in the area to participate in the first Last Fridays on Main event.
Crewe described the Friday event as a mini gallery hop, in which participating stores such as Ignis Glass and Gallery 1401 stay open a little longer on the last Friday of every month.
“It’s a way for all of us to advertise together and keep costs down,” he said.
Crewe said he and Montgomery met growing up on Signal Mountain, where Montgomery now owns a sawmill where he met Buffalo, N.Y., native Phil Timm last year.
Though their styles vary widely, Crewe said the three artisans’ work comes together to create a singular look fitting to the area’s unique aesthetic.
Crewe’s work includes ornate Queen Anne pieces as well as tables in wild, funky colors.
Timm veers more toward the simple, clean lines of shaker-style oak tables, said Crewe, while Rudd favors the natural edges he achieves with the reclaimed lumber used to create many of his pieces.
Crewe said he began building furniture as a child but did not make a living pursuing his hobby until quitting his engineering job six years ago.
Since furniture is difficult to transport, the three sold their work mainly through word of mouth and small shows in the area before getting together to purchase Area 61. Crewe said he and his business partners also build on commission.
The gallery also features photo collages by Valerie Flemming, Mary Barnett’s U.S. Pipe and Foundry photos, abstract paintings by Angie Ross, Steve Swain’s folk art, pottery by Shadow May, and glass by Tommy Spake.
Eventually they plan to use the extra space to showcase work from additional artists, said Crewe.
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