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Owners Boonie and Andre LeBlanc with two local artists.
For well over a decade, community leaders and those searching for other ways to sustain the economy in Superior shared many ideas. One of the ongoing thoughts was to attract artists to move and work in Superior. Superior is now home to many artists, a few studios and now two art galleries are open to the public in Downtown Superior. Wild Cow Art Gallery on Magma is this week’s In Your Biz profile.
How did they find Superior: Boonie LeBlanc remembered Superior after spending much time camping at the Oak Flats with his family as a child. About five years ago, he visited and saw that there was not too much going on but decided to move into the area. He and his husband Andre LeBlanc are happy to have found a gallery space to show and sell art work of the budding artists who are part of their Cactus Moon Foundation as well as sell donated art.
More than just a gallery: The Wild Cow Art Gallery is partner to the Cactus Moon Foundation which funds artists who are ready to start promoting their art for a business opportunity. The foundation is a non-profit organization and they use their funds to help artists grow their business and be able to afford to attend various art shows and be presented in galleries all over the United States. The Cactus Moon foundation provides the funding for the shows as well as living expenses for the artist. The artists in turn donate some of their art to be sold at the Wild Cow Gallery. So far Boonie and Andre are pleased with the sales at the gallery. Even without a sign on the building the gallery is attracting visitors from throughout the state. Andre serves as the treasurer of the board for Cactus Moon foundation so it is relieving to see the gallery doing well.
Bonnie encourages everyone to drop in and visit and even those budding artists are encouraged to drop in and ask how to present themselves to the Cactus Moon Foundation for their support in promoting their art. “Even if artists are not chosen by the foundation for full funding we can help them learn what is needed to grow their art business,” Boonie said.
While most local consumers are not always buying art for their homes, the gallery does offer art classes. Currently local artist Chuck Davidson is teaching painting classes on Friday afternoons from 3-5 p.m.; the cost for the class is $25.
Sage Advice for a new business owner: Boonie has some advice for new business owners: “Be open regular hours, offer monthly sales and always give good customer service.”
Hours of Operation: Wild Cow Art Gallery is located at 16 Magma Ave they are open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday noon-4:30 p.m. They are closed on Mondays but can open by appointment if needed.
The “In Your Biz” column is sponsored weekly by the Superior Chamber of Commerce in an effort to further promote their business members. To learn more about the Superior Chamber of Commerce you can visit their website www.superiorarizonachamber.org or call them at 520-689-0200. The Chamber meets the third Friday of every month at their building 165 Main St. in Superior, Arizona.
Mila Besich is a resident of Superior with two children. She volunteers for many local organizations. She is an experienced fundraiser and event planner for Copper Corridor Economic Development Coalition. She covers some of the area town councils and schools.
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