THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 1, 1996 TAG: 9602280166
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 09 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY IDA KAY JORDAN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 94 lines
THE OPENING of the Potrafka Gallery this weekend in the old Bank of Virginia building at 600 Washington St. adds another piece to Portsmouth's plan to turn downtown into an arts and entertainment mecca - and recycles one more empty downtown space.
Wayne Potrafka, a potter who first opened a business in Tower Mall, said the bank building is an excellent place for his gallery.
The 1950s Modern design features a two-story circular glass entrance and a staircase winding to the second floor.
Built as a showplace for Bank of Virginia in the 1950s, the building continued in use until 1985, when Bank of Virginia merged with Citizens Trust Bank and moved to the downtown waterfront. The bank later changed its named to Signet.
Although the Washington Street location was used briefly by Signet, it soon was boarded up and has been vacant for a decade.
City Council recently refused to grant a permit, requested by the Prentis Park Seventh Day Adventists, to use the building as a religious center. A majority of council members wanted to keep the building for commercial uses that would pay taxes to the city.
Potrafka will use the elegant entrance to display a variety of sculptures and paintings.
The first floor will be devoted mainly for galleries. The former bank vault will be a special display area for local artists.
``I hope some of the local artists will be among the vault treasures,'' Potrafka said. ``We'll be changing the show monthly.''
The March show will feature work by members of the Chesapeake Bay Art Association.
An area that once housed the bank's safe deposit boxes will become a gallery for ``wearable art.'' Three small rooms, once used by patrons to look over their holdings, will be turned into dressing rooms for customers to try on the clothing.
Potrafka, a potter, will set up his personal studio in an area that once was used for bank teller cages, and another partitioned space will be used as a classroom.
Within the next few months, Potrafka expects to complete a performing area to present acoustic music, comedy groups and poetry readings.
``I think people will enjoy coming here for good entertainment, sort of coffeehouse style,'' Potrafka said. ``It'll be a place to go where you don't have to worry about vulgarity.''
On the second floor, classes will be offered for both children and adults. Also on this floor, several artists will rent studios.
``We already have teachers signed on,'' Potrafka said. ``We'll have a full spectrum of visual arts classes, some performing arts classes and some classes that don't relate to either. For instance, I've got a woman who will be teaching a class in how to make European desserts.''
The classes will begin the week of March 10 and will cost $10 per session, except for special one-day seminars. For example, one on making clay whistles, to be taught by Doris Austin from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 16, will cost $18.
The building contains about 20,000 square feet of space and has an off-street parking lot with about 70 spaces.
``I know this is one of the largest commercial fine arts galleries in the state, if not the nation,'' Potrafka said.
Potrafka said the move to the downtown area represents a big investment for him.
``Needless to say, I'm getting into this fairly deeply, and my pockets aren't very deep,'' he said. ``I need some instant success.''
The new gallery is the third commercial gallery in recycled downtown space. The Olde Towne Art Gallery at High and Court streets occupied a location that once housed a corner drug store. The Art Atrium, which specializes in African-American art, is in a space that was for many years a furniture store at 629 High St.
Several art galleries, including one very large display area on the second floor, are housed in the Portsmouth Museums' 1846 Courthouse at the corner of High and Court. The courthouse was restored in the 1980s for use as an arts center.
Across Court Street the Visual Arts School of Tidewater Community College has several first-floor galleries. This remodeled building formerly housed The Famous women's clothing store.
Several other locations exhibit and sell paintings. Gallery Grill in the 300 block of High Street displays works by TCC students, and Miss Pittypat's Flower and Gift Shop at the corner of High and Dinwiddie sells original art and crafts. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by MARK MITCHELL
Gallery owner Wayne Potrafka lays carpet in the former bank vault,
which will house works by local artists.
Potrafka, a potter, will set up his personal studio in an area that
once was used for teller cages.
by CNB