NORWICH - Local entrepreneur and artist, Jill Kraft, is nearing the final stages of moving her business just a few doors up South Broad Street; several leaps and bounds from where she started what seems like many years ago.
Kraft, owner of The Artists’ Palette presently located at 29 South Broad St. in downtown Norwich, will soon be occupying the former Salvation Army store, more affectionately known to elder natives as the “Fishmans” building at 17-19 South Broad St. Extensive renovations, which included an asbestos abatement are nearly completed, and soon the finishing touches will be applied like the last strokes of oil and acrylic to canvas.
“We are very excited about having the new location completely finished and open to the public by the end of winter, if not sooner,” said Kraft.
Kraft, a Norwich native, has been planning for years what will be the largest fine arts showcase in the county, carefully overseeing her realized dream come to life. Kraft’s passion for her concept of a community-based arts center becomes very apparent in talking with her and integrating services for artists of all ages and abilities reiterates her desire to keep the community engaged in the arts.
“Art of Me,” a program which was established in early 2013, focuses on providing an expressive outlet for people with developmental and emotional disabilities from a number of local agencies throughout the county, a service Kraft feels will be of great benefit to the rural community.
The Artists’ Palette offers a variety of expressive art programs that can be tailored to suit the individual needs of people throughout the spectrum of ages and abilities. “You don’t have to be an artist to enjoy the benefits of our programs,” said Kraft.
“I want people to know what I’m doing here and what I’m bringing to the community. I understand that some people may think that I’m just a small art supply store, but the business has developed into much more,” Kraft said.
Plans for a teen drop-in program as well as art programs for all ages and abilities are planned for the new location, as is the 1,000 sq. ft. Jill Kraft Gallery which will showcase a variety of artwork from local and regional artists and photographers on a rotating basis. A retail bookstore section, a performance stage that will host local songwriters and poets, coffee house-style reading and meeting space as well as an in–house photography/portrait studio will be incorporated into the new downtown location as well. The Artists’ Palette will continue to offer its variety of art supplies and provide display space for local artists who wish to sell their works.
Kraft has worked tirelessly to achieve what she considers her purpose. The first incarnation of The Artists’ Palette made its debut in a 300 sq. ft. living room in 2009. Increase in demand and sales eventually led to 2,500 sq. ft facility on Route 12 in the town of Norwich in 2010, where Kraft added a fully equipped photography portrait studio and established the Jill Kraft Gallery. In 2012, a vacant spot at its current location along with the enticement of increased foot traffic and sales “just made good business sense.” 2012 also saw the creation of “Fourth Friday Art walks,” a program which Kraft exclusively developed and implemented and loosely based upon the success of the similar “First Friday” art walks in Binghamton.
“I believe in what I’m doing,” said Kraft. “On several occasions I’ve sacrificed my own needs for the sake of the business, and rightfully so. I’m not doing this for me, I’m doing it because I see a need for it in our community and I have the desire and ability to make a difference here”.
The Artists’ Palette is open Tues. through Fri. 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sat. 1-3 p.m. For more information on program schedules call 244-1445. or visit norwichpalette.com.