Chelsea Marketplace Changes

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West of the Moon Gallery, a cooperative that opened in April 2005, has gone into eclipse, but some members will continue to contribute to events in Chelsea: a “West of the Moon” booth is planned at the Chelsea Fairgrounds for a show November 22. And organizer Marsi Parker Darwin, a stained-glass artist, says she may try to rent the Chelsea Depot for a show before Christmas.

The gallery opened with nineteen artists, but membership dwindled to twelve by the time it closed in July. They sold handmade hats, handblown glass bead jewelry, glass mosaics, vintage-material bags, and more.

“I sat down and cried when we closed,” says Darwin. She blames the economy, a lack of funds, and some bookkeeping problems. She’s considering opening another cooperative gallery, adding that she has the rights to the name “East of the Sun.”

Darwin says she will use the old website (westmoongallery.com) to announce upcoming events and plans.