Luminously Local: A new art facility takes root in a familiar Bank Street spot

Yes, it's possible that a visitor to The Local, the new art gallery on Bank Street in New London, might expect the tantalizing scent of hot wings sauce or possibly an Old Bay dry rub.After all, this was the location that, for many happy years, hosted Hot Rod Café, the popular eatery/saloon owned by Rod Cornish. Loyal customers were dismayed when Cornish suddenly decided to close the restaurant in July. But it's also true Cornish owns the building – with its excellent and iconic painted exterior wall murals of musicians like Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley and Prince.Indeed, Cornish, a lover and purchaser of fine art, decided to turn the space into The Local. With the help of Susan MacKay, the gallery's curator/on-site artist, The Local formally opened September 6 with an inaugural exhibit featuring over a dozen mostly local artists including Marvin Espy, whose "Up From the Asphalt" show just closed at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum after a three month-plus run, and Luis Saldana, a renowned Cuban painter Cornish learned about on a visit to Havana.Art AND artists"I've always loved art and artists, and I have great respect for artists since I can't draw a stick figure," Cornish laughed. He was seated behind the welcome desk inside The Local, chatting with a reporter about the inspiration and process that led to opening the gallery. MacKay was seated a few feet away, next to an easel on which was one of her works-in-progress.Cornish gestured to MacKay's canvas. "That's one of the reasons I think this is going to work. Susan and I have talents that complement each other. I can operate a business, and she studied art history and is an excellent painter with a lot of artistic friends."The gallery proper occupies two rooms with blond hardwood floors and expansive windows overlooking Bank Street. The walls are stark white, and strategic lighting enhances numerous works by artists featured in the inaugural exhibit. There are also pieces of sculpture, gallery merchandise and an "authors' corner" featuring books for sale by local writers. (Disclosure: this journalist's books are included.)In addition, The Local features an innovative interactive component installed by the facility's technical advisor, Cornish's nephew Steven Wilson. A visitor can scan a QR code and view interviews with the exhibit's artists on The Local's YouTube channel.Other artists featured in the first show include Susan Schaub, Tom Jennerwein, Sarah Bishop, Aliya Denea, Rebecca Fowke, Eunice Schaub, Kim Abraham, Gwen Basilica, Don Ledversis and Glynis J. Blanker.The power of the wall muralsIf it seems perhaps unexpected that Cornish would suddenly become an art dealer, well, it's not. First, remember those murals outside the building."The truth is, when I closed Hot Rod, there was a lot of controversy," Cornish said. "People didn't want me to close or were mad that I left New London. (Cornish bought and runs Charlie's Place restaurant in Niantic.) It was a bit uncomfortable. I actually had the building up for sale for a minute, but it just didn't sit with me. I walked by those murals, and I remember getting each one. They all have their own story and meaning and a connection between art and music. I kept looking at them and decided I just didn't want someone buying the place and painting over those murals."Cornish said that, for various reasons, he didn't want to open another restaurant, even as a landlord, in downtown New London. But a gallery was an intriguing idea.For one thing, after the Million Man March in 1995, Cornish actually dealt art, chiefly focusing on Black artists. He said, "I loved the idea of helping artists and, even when I was running a restaurant full time, I was always looking for art and artists and buying works for my own collection."The lure of the local art sceneDuring the whirlwind of activity that included closing Hot Rod Café, transitioning to Charlie's and getting that running, and making the decision not to sell the Bank Street property, Cornish decided he could use the space to connect with the New London arts community. He described an occasion at an art fair when he focused on a particular work as one he'd like to own. First, though, he decided to wander around the grounds and check for other possibilities. By the time he returned to his original choice, it had been sold."I made a promise to myself then," Cornish said. "If I see something that moves me, I'm gonna get it. Because it's not just the artwork. I'm fascinated by the story of how it came to be. I want to know about the artist and how he or she develops their gift. And since I can't create art, a gallery is a great way to be part of it all. And New London! Whether it's athletes or artists or musicians or writers, we have such a disproportionately large percentage of talented people."A fortuitous meetingAs great as that concept was, Cornish said he was incredibly lucky to meet MacKay – who came into his life at a juncture of profundity in her own artistic endeavors.A longtime landscape artist who does plenty of commissioned portraits, MacKay has, like many artists, struggle to find an opportunity to display her own work in a museum or gallery. Finally, over the summer, MacKay was part of a three-artist show in New London's Hygienic Art. The experience affected her in unexpected ways."I was relieved of course, and grateful that I had the opportunity at the Hygienic," MacKay said. "It was a bit of validation. But after it was over, the prospect of going through it all again made me think, 'I want my own gallery' – which was something I'd never thought of before."At that point, though just down Bank Street, Cornish had independently decided that HE wanted a gallery. And when MacKay heard of that possibility, she reached out."I had no resources or idea of how to open my own, but I knew I had to find a way," MacKay laughed. "I didn't know Rod, but I thought, 'I've got nothing to lose. And we both know a lot of the same people.'"Cornish said, "I like people who assert themselves and have skills that I don't – people who can help me make better decisions. And Sue reached out and there was this instant yin-yang connection.""Suddenly, it wasn't just about me getting my work shown," MacKay said. "I'd met someone who cares about art AND artists. Someone who's a genuine champion for artists."No end of ideasRather than a slow feeling-out period, the pair instantly started bouncing ideas off one another. They frequently found themselves on the same creative page, and they refine concepts based on each other's respective experiences and contacts.One idea they're excited about is the Gallery Takeover. For a fee, artists can book a professionally curated three-day exhibition, with a Friday night opening reception, in in one of the two on-site galleries. The fee includes labeling, installation and complimentary beer, wine and refreshments at the opening.Artists are also encouraged to enter curated themed shows, which require no admission fees.The Sept. 6 Inaugural Artists Exhibit's opening reception was jammed with people lined up and down Bank Street to get in. "We both know a lot of people, and we expected a good turnout," MacKay said. "But I'm not sure we expected THAT many people."The next show at The Local, opening Nov. 22, will be "The Great, Big, Little Art Show" and will utilize a theme of disparate artists starting from a "level playing field" – which is to say each will work on three identical 10-inch-by-10-inch plain canvases. There's no theme other than the work should be family friendly with no vulgarity, and the medium, whether oil, acrylic, watercolor, collage or whatever, is up to the artist. Artists will pay a $25 admission fee to cover the costs of the canvas and the show, and registration is open through Oct. 31. Accepted work must be delivered to the gallery by Nov. 15. Viewers at the opening reception will vote on their favorites, and each of the top three vote-getters will be awarded $100 cash that evening. They'll also be featured in a future three-person exhibit in the gallery. Other possibilities for The Local include on-site painting demonstrations and workshops, author talks and musical performances, and field trips for school student where they'll meet and talk with an artist like Espy, who will then demonstrate technique. Many of these ideas are already being scheduled. "I'm honored to have my work displayed at the Local. Rod and Sue have created a vibrant space that not only highlights incredible art but also fosters a sense of community here in New London," Espy said in an email. "Their commitment to making art accessible, especially through initiatives like connecting with school kids, speaks to the power of creativity in bringing people together. I look forward to being part of those experiences and helping inspire the next generation of artists.""So far, people are loving the place," MacKay said. "Everyone keeps telling us there's a great vibe and great work up. We're pretty excited."Cornish also stressed the idea that they want to proceed and enjoy the process and get more integrated into the art community without feeling pressure."I own the building, so that helps," he said. Cornish has turned the back part of the structure into a two bedroom short-term rental. "At this point, that space is booked out for a year and almost two years. So that provides us some financial comfort. We can focus on art and the artists and people who love both."