Folk songstresses Giovanina Bucci (left) and Taylor LaValley helped ROTA raise funds during a recent event. |
By Luke T. Bush © 2015
PLATTSBURGH CITY, NY – Feb.23, 2015
39 Bridge Street could become another empty storefront.
March might be the last month that ROTA Studios & Gallery will be open at that location. The rent was doable for the non-profit co-op when it split the expense with a co-tenant. But the situation became undoable after the co-tenant moved out, leaving ROTA stuck with full rent and utilities.
For years ROTA has offered a space for substance free – all ages events. Young local musicians cut their teeth at the venue. It offered an alternative to teens besides wandering the streets, looking for something to do.
Plattsburgh needs a youth center but after some talk years ago: nothing. ROTA has been the closest to such a center. But it hasn’t been limited to the young crowd. The older crowd also enjoys the music programs from melodious folk music to thrashing loud rock.
As a gallery ROTA provided a different spot for area artists to hang their works and just hang around. You could see the beautiful and the bizarre, sometimes in the same exhibit.
More info at https://www.facebook.com/rotagallery. The page also offers the option of making a much-needed donation.
Or do you prefer another empty storefront in downtown Plattsburgh, large plywood bandages covering up smashed windows?