Bronze Perseverance
By Josephine Johnson for Do Savannah -
“I’m here because it’s a space where I’m comfortable exploring mediums, interacting with working artists, collaborating, and really feeling a sense of camaraderie,” explained Kobo member, Marta McWhorter.
“It’s a close-knit collection of people that makes it like family, in all the best, and sometimes, challenging ways possible!”
This Friday, Kobo Gallery celebrates 15 years supporting Savannah-based creatives. Jewelers, painters, photographers, fibers artists, up-cyclers, and more present their latest works around “Perseverance,” the title and theme of the special anniversary show.
BUILDING AN ARTS COMMUNITY IN DOWNTOWN SAVANNAH
Kobo is one of Savannah’s longest-running gallery cooperatives in which each of its 14 members, in addition to yearly dues and other tasks, is responsible for working at the retail space. And in spite of seemingly endless downtown construction, road closures, multiple Broughton Street makeovers, the co-op has persevered across from Ellis Square since 2007.
Woodworker and lifelong Savannah resident, Dicky Stone, joined Kobo within a month of its opening and has been member ever since. At age eight, Stone took an interest in design and construction when his grandfather set him to task sanding in the family’s garage shop. These days he works with local and sustainably harvested timber, carving and turning arcs to create complex, intricate bowls from a single piece of wood.
A steady and constant figure in the gallery’s tenure, Stone jokes about being the old guy of the group. He’s put in his time, ridden economic changes, cultural shifts, and has a good understanding of the kinds of art and artists that excel at Kobo. When it comes to new members, a range of criteria is considered. Key among them is how well an artist blends with current members.
“Of course, the portfolio of work must come across strong, but in addition to being an artistic fit, the applicant has to be a personality fit, too,” emphasized Stone. “It’s a month or so long process, because after reviewing the work, the membership team interviews each artist before presenting them to everyone. Everyone must approve new members, and this is something that makes the gallery strong. Because in time we all disagree about something, but if in the beginning we have common ground in personality, goals, and focus, we can most likely overcome any conflict that comes up down the line.”
FINDING THE RIGHT MINDS TO JOIN KOBO
Like Stone, painter and fine artist, Daniel Smith, has been with Kobo since the beginning. Originally from Brooklyn, Smith moved to Savannah in the late 1990s to finish an MFA at SCAD. He found particular inspiration in the region’s shifting tide-scapes, so much so that Smith pioneered his own technique in landscape painting.
Instead of brushes, he uses large palette knives, oil paints, and wax to create the gentle sway of marsh, tide, and sky.
“What I like about being a member of Kobo all these years is the consistency and emphasis on artist community,” said Smith. “The gallery consistently seeks artists already successful and who would benefit from the collective platform of Kobo. This mutual boosting makes for a strong creative community here.”
Back at her shop, multi-talented Renaissance woman, Marta McWhorter, works on a wood project for one of her SCAD classes. When she isn’t studying furniture design, working at Kobo, or building custom cabinets, McWhorter runs her own stage lighting company. Savannah Music Festival is one of her clients as are Telfair Museums.
A previous member, McWhorter had to re-prioritize a few years ago when life and family made their demands. Now, with kids in high school and time for design, McWhorter is eager to get back to the gallery.
“It’s the consistent quality of work of those that show here,” said McWhorter. “I am so happy to be back because I get feedback and ideas from artists I genuinely respect. And the gallery structure really is generous for artists. Together we are owners and leaders, and it benefits our careers.”
Joy Dunigan joined Kobo in November. A SCAD grad born and raised in Savannah, Dunigan has captained her own graphic design firm for the past 20 years. At Kobo, she focuses on her photography. And in mostly black and white images, Dunigan captures wild places without roads and bridges, highlighting in particular the ecosystems and natural patterns of the Georgia Sea Islands.