June 30. 2004
By Rachel Wimberly
Star-News Correspondent

Walking around downtown, it’s hard to miss the empty storefronts mixed in with the antique stores, coffee shops, restaurants, bars and other businesses.

At one point, Matthew Dols said he counted 52 vacant places between Orange, Grace, Water and Third streets. That’s when the executive director of the Tabula Rasa community darkroom had his inspiration.

He started calling Realtors and asked if they would be willing to allow their empty windows to be filled with art. He called the idea Pedestrian Art, which stood for pedestrian art.

“When people walked around downtown, you would be able to see the art,” he said. “I was hoping the Realtors would see a benefit to it.”

With an e-mail contact list of close to 5,000 artists, Mr. Dols had no trouble finding people willing to showcase their work. Already, 40 have signed up.

Only three Realtors have done the same, he said.

“One company wouldn’t even talk to me,” Mr. Dols said. “They said, 'That’s no use to us.’”

Those already signed on are Todd Toconis of Town and Country Real Estate, Paul Sullins of Network and Don Lashley, who owns a building at the corner of Front and Dock.

Jim Quinn, a member of the Wilmington City Council and a broker-in-charge of Creative Properties Inc.’s downtown office, applauds the concept, though he has yet to commit because the owner of a building he represents didn’t approve of the artist.

“The ones that do have something in it really look nice,” he said. “It makes the street look better.”

Mr. Dols knows that ultimately it’s up to the owners, not the agents.

“So many businesses in the downtown area don’t understand how arts bring business to the community,” he said.

For example, after a gallery opening, Mr. Dols said people often go out to eat or have a drink in one of the many downtown establishments.

Pedestrian Art is just one of Mr. Dols’ many efforts to bring the arts to the entire community. Besides the community darkroom he opened, he has also put together “Art for the Masses,” which allows artists to sell their work to the public, and he has compiled a local directory of artists.

He believes the Pedestrian Art project will take off at some point.

“It’s meant to showcase artwork and make the downtown prettier instead of empty storefronts and paper over windows,” he said. “I’m waiting for the downtown to come around and see the arts a very viable business.”