The Art Coop Finds a Roswell Roost

Roswell has long been known for its entrepreneurs, which includes a community filled with artists. So Becky Nelson and Susan Dempsey's dream of promoting the latter came together naturally once they bought 425 Market Place Antiques several years ago.

Nelson and Dempsey saw three populations emerging from their store: antiques, a fashion loft and unique art. Now entering the third year of business, the Art Coop has staked its claim at 425 Market Place.

The Art Coop is an artist cooperative, featuring 16 juried artists in an upstairs loft.

Long-time Roswell resident Helen Tate Kemp, married to a generations-long Roswell resident, was the first artist to join the dream. Helen’s Adornments, housed inside a turn of the century naturally distressed Hoosier, offers fused glass jewelry and house decorations. 

“I needed a stable place to sell my jewelry between festivals, events and homeparties, 425 Market Place has doubled my jewelry income and my fun,”  Kemp recently said in a press release. “Stepping up the art presence into an area-focused, area-led art co-op has just made sense for all of us. We love learning!”

Gittel Price also jumped on board with the Art Coop, excited to be a part of the innovative new venture. Price is currently being recognized for her picture, which was selected to be the cover of "Rucker, The Lost Dog," a book written by Elaine DeNiro, archivist for the Roswell Historic Society. Price took literally hundreds of pictures to get the right one for Rucker. Her fine photography has been juried into dozens of high profile shows and her leadership is known among the photographic society.

The Art Coop has a jury of recognized artisans at the helm, including: Kemp, Price and Illona Cardona. Each of these professionals are not only Roswell residents, but also leaders in their respective fields. They bring varied skills to the jury table so when an artist meets with them, they walk away knowing more about how to move their own business forward - sometimes within the Art Coop.

For more information e-mail info@425MarketPlaceAntiques.com or call 770-992-5400.