The Square Ramp is a hidden nook at 310 W. Jackson Ave. I’ve walked right by it, never wondering what was behind that garage door. Dewhirst Properties owns the Armature building. It was built between 1889 and 1894 and was occupied by the Greer Machinery Company and the area at is now the Square Ramp was where patrons would drive in their vehicles. The Square Ramp space opens to the outside with a garage door and is a literal ramp with a 3ft grade that stops at a wall about 15 feet in. This space has been the location for a couple of other iterations of art and creativity over the years.
The latest use is a pop-up shop for several local artists. I spoke with textile artist Coral Turner, who coordinates the space and with Tina Rosling, a local ceramic artist who displays her work there. About ten years ago, Coral had seen this nook used as a pop-up space and was fascinated with the possibilities that it could provide. Fast forward to two years ago, and the gallery Coral had been participating in, 214 Magnolia, closed. After talking with other artist friends who wanted a place to show their work, Coral remembered this space and the woman behind it, Marybeth Tugwell, at Dewhirst Properties. MaryBeth tells me that the space had been seemingly forgotten in the development process but was too interesting and funky not to be used for something. Marybeth and Coral discussed using it as an artist pop-up and struck a deal. They opened for the first time during Big Ears 2022.
Coral’s parents are also artists, and her mother is a founding member of the Art Market Gallery. This is the next generation providing open spaces for the Maker City to live up to its name. Coral serves on the Arts and Cultural Alliance as well. It is essential to her to have outlets for artists to show their work in a space that is affordable and accessible.
Their last sale of the year is this weekend, December 16-17, from 11-5. There will be 12 artists displaying their wares at the perfect time to find that unique item for a loved one or yourself for the holidays.
Here are the current artists and their Instagram links.
In March, the space will be transformed into an artist installation and open to the public. The artist is a former sculpture graduate. She is hoping to find others to do installations as well.
Follow The Square Ramp on Instagram to keep up with their schedule, and stop by this unique space this weekend to shop and support local!
