Going, Going, Gone

Mary Mackey closed her groundbreaking gallery space at the corner of 25th Avenue and Eliot Street nearly ten years ago, but she never left the building: As an artist-turned-gallerist returning to her creative roots, she continued to rent studio space in the old red-brick commercial building, along with a variant crew of fellow artists, including Margaret Neumann, Clark Richert, Bruce Price and others. And down in the depths of a 4,000 square-foot basement, she stored literally thousands of works of art — some hers, some by others, some flat and some framed — as well as furniture items and a plethora of mid-century collectibles.

But, as Mackey says wistfully, “you can’t take it with you.” Located squarely in a Highland neighborhood in the throes of gentrification, the building has been sold, and the new owner has renovation plans for it that might not include space for a pack of starving artists who can’t afford the raised rents. Mackey’s had other sales over the years, but on weekends in August, she’s been running the clearance of all clearances, an everything-must-go End of an Era Art Sale, with bargains galore. Your last chance to haggle is today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“I have some great framed pieces that would normally go for $800 selling for $200,” Mackey notes; the basement, at 2900 West 25th Avenue, and Mackey’s storefront, a few doors down at 2912 West 25th Avenue, are both splitting at the seams, despite healthy sales throughout the month. Come take a peek, or take home a keepsake; for details, call 303-783-9339 or go to www.marymackeyart.com.
Fridays, Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun., Aug. 31, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Starts: Aug. 2. Continues through Aug. 31, 2008