YBA GALLERY 504 JAM

IT TAKES AN ARTIST TO CREATE A SILK PURSE FROM A PIG''S EAR or so it goes and the 504 Art Gallery and studio is a good example. From the outside it is nothing to look at, just an old Quonset hut type building on North 20th just south of North Park. It is located in what was Billings original industrial area which is now being restored with new large facilities from the federal building, food bank and a large financial bank, Salvation Army, and others. However inside it is quite nice with a gallery area and other rooms for the artist owner and others. She has generously allowed the YBA to jam there for a short time. It is unknown how gracious she may continue to be if the Lincoln Building becomes unavailable for an extended period of time.  There were 10-12 pickers at the Friday February 21st jam. There are about 15 nice padded chairs available for groups this size. The group on the 21st consisted of long time members of the YBA with no newcomers, unlike a typical group which shows up at the Lincoln. The only drawback to this facility is a lack of acoustical properties and why not?  Art galleries are intended for visual and possibly tactile enjoyment, not for auditory musical performances. As the photos show the floor is concrete and the walls and ceiling are finished smooth and hard. As a result some complaints were made about difficulty in hearing the other pickers. That is due to the sounds reverberating in all directions from those hard surfaces. My chair was away from any walls and the sound seemed OK there. Those sitting right next to the walls probably had the most acoustical problems.

Now a correction from President Sharon Karlson's  last email. There will be NO jam at the Gallery next Friday.  As the big YBA all day jam is next Saturday, March 1st, she queried the group on whether to also jam next Friday at the Gallery.  It was decided not to and just attend the Saturday event at the Unitarian Church on Central Avenue. Following are some photos from the 21st and I hope to see you all next Saturday weather permitting.