HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Comment from Stephens in Support1
Ziino, Genevey
Subject:FW: hyphen gallery window graphics
From: Antonia Stephens <astephens@clamsnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, June 12, 2024 10:05 AM
To: Brigham, Anna <Anna.Brigham@town.barnstable.ma.us>; Susan Battista <susan@visualdialogue.com>
Subject: hyphen gallery window graphics
Dear Members of the Zoning Board of Appeals,
I am writing as the leader of a fellow cultural organization in the village of Hyannis and as an artist
who has benefited directly from the generosity of the hyphen gallery in allowing others to use their
space for free to support a variance for their window graphics and sign.
As the Director of the Hyannis Public Library, I understand very intimately the struggle to balance
the exterior presentation of one's organization so that it both conforms to the requirements of
zoning and historical yet stays relevant and attractive to the whole of its community and to the
nature of the activities happening within. I believe the hyphen gallery's artistic use of window
graphics, which provide dynamic visual interest but let in plenty of light, is a perfect way to
showcase the youthful, creative energy of the activities the gallery supports while providing a
buffer from the stream of traffic that goes by on South Street.
The graphics are bold and bright in a thoughtful and interesting pattern. That end of Main Street
gets lost visually to foot traffic, as the split widens the street and gives the impression of an "end"
to the shops and amenities. The hyphen gallery has put effort into keeping that part of Main Street
active, having participated along with Love Live Local in events like the BID's First Fridays, and the
design on three of its windows signals that it is a place to visit.
I have also had the fortune to be able to use the hyphen gallery space to rehearse with my fellow
dancers of the Movimento Project--a company that has received funding from the Mid-Cape
Cultural Council and the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod. Free space is very hard to come by, and
local artists rarely have the funds to rent space in venues around the village. Movimento is
incredibly grateful to the gallery for their generosity, and the dancers also appreciated that the
window graphics clearly gave enough of a glimpse of activity going on that passers-by paused to
look, but also gave us a buffer from distraction.
I hope that you will support a variance for the hyphen gallery. I am happy to answer any questions
the Zoning Board may have.
Sincerely,
Antonia
--
Antonia Stephens
Director
Hyannis Public Library
2
508-775-2280
astephens@clamsnet.org