Skip to main content

Cecy's: A New Vision for Art in Durham

Cecy's will be a haven for artists & art lovers in downtown Durham, with studios, classes, a gallery, and a Saturday morning Art Market.

$4,655
pledged of$35,000 goal
65
0Days Left

Project Description

Imagine if you will, living in a city of cranes, surrounded by skyscrapers and new apartments that seem to pop up every day – Oh, HI Durham! We love you.

Durham, NC City of Cranes. We love you.

Then remember that there’s a beautiful oasis called Durham Central Park, where kids play in the playground and every Saturday there’s a thriving farmers market, craft market, food trucks, music, and an Art Market. There’s a food hall (coming soon on Foster Street), great restaurants, small businesses and …

a new art hall called Cecy’s!

A new vision for art space that is wide open and full of love, life, and music. Preserving an existing Durham building on the corner of Foster and Hunt, Cecy's will house artist studios, classes, events, community gatherings, and a gallery.

Cecy’s place will make local art of all kinds completely accessible and fun.

 

Cecy’s is the creation of Cecilia Henaine de Davis, owner of Beadazzled by Cecilia jewelry designs, founder of the weekly Art Market at Vega Metals, and manager of the Vega Metals/Cricket Forge Gallery on Hunt Street.

Cecilia Henaine de Davis, Art Market founder and owner of Cecy's

We recently learned that Cricket Forge is moving away from Hunt Street, and the Vega building may be put to different use.

Vega Metals building to be put to different use in 2020

But, with your help, there can still be a haven for artists and art lovers in the neighborhood. Through a stroke of luck, Cecilia was able to lease space in what has been Cole’s Transmission Shop. With YOUR support, we can turn this massive industrial space into a welcoming, open art hall for Durhamites to enjoy the amazing talent and community thriving in our city.

 

A message from Cecilia: “Cecy's will be a place where you come and see all kinds of arts in any shapes and forms. I will be offering classes with artists well known in the community and some from out of town. There will be spaces for artists to work and be able to sell at Cecy’s or anywhere.

I love to help entrepreneurs of any kind, but I have a special place in my heart for young people who learn a new skill that they can turn into a business. I want to help more people do that.

Cecy's will offer classes, events and activities in Downtown Durham

I got my start in jewelry-making through sharing it with women in domestic violence recovery. We created a jewelry group, kind of like the old quilting bees. It allowed women to talk, network and build a skill that could allow them to become financially independent. Through that, I learned the power of unlocking your inner creativity. Working with your hands is also very therapeutic and can help your mental health. Cecy's will help women, kids, anybody that comes through our doors.

 

Opening Cecy’s will also allow me to continue hosting the Saturday morning Art Market, which has become such a beloved fixture in Durham Central Park over its ten year history. My goal is to bring all cultures together every Saturday morning where anyone from anywhere can have a taste of home. Bring your dogs, your kids, and enjoy the morning.

The Art Market has been a springboard for many local artists to go from working from home to having a real brick and mortar business, or to having their artwork be their sole source of income. It has generated strength in Durham’s economy and enriched our local art scene.

It’s vitally important for the Art Market to continue -- many people’s livelihoods depend on it.

The Art Market at Vega Metals -- every Saturday all year!

Small businesses are the heart of any community. I’m not a big real estate developer; I’m an artist and neighbor. My goal is to preserve the unique feel of the Durham Central Park area and create an amazing space where artists and Durham residents can gather to learn and grow.

But time is of the essence, friends! I need your support to get the shop converted into a gallery and studio in early 2019.  We plan to start renovations in January so we can be open for business as soon as possible!"

How you can help: click the Support Now button and the Share Project button. Check out our great rewards and give at the highest level that works for you. Share the project – if you tell 5 friends about what we’re doing, and they all give at the $25 level – we’ll reach our goal in no time!

Thank you for your support! You mean everything to this project, and I can't thank you enough. -- Cecy

The Campaign FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • What will we use the money for?

$4,000 – new garage door and exterior paint and signage

$2,000 – repair exterior windows and doors

$10,000 – lights, power washing, paint, display fixtures

$5,000 – artist studio space and hanging walls for artwork

$2,000 – bathroom facilities

$5,000 – walls, floors, display, track lighting

$2,000 – office, counter, computers

Other - contingencies, marketing, permits, taxes, fees, insurance

  • How else can I help?

We need "elbow grease"! If you feel like spending a few hours with us using a shop vac or a power washer, please contact us at [email protected].

 

 

 

i. Charles
03/25/2019
Cricket Forge garden Dragonfly/Butterfly
$100
Mary Fling
03/24/2019
Cricket Forge garden Dragonfly/Butterfly
$100
i. Charles
03/24/2019
Cricket Forge garden Dragonfly/Butterfly
$100
margarita belin
03/23/2019
Monetary Contribution
$25
Tract MacNeal
03/21/2019
Durham watercolor by Adrienne Oates
$200
Ted
03/16/2019
Cricket Forge garden Dragonfly/Butterfly
$100
Todd Rupprecht
03/08/2019
Durham watercolor by Adrienne Oates
$200
J Sorensen
03/08/2019
25% off your first purchase at Cecy's!
$50
Karen Casey
02/23/2019
Entry into a raffle for a Durham Bull!
$45
Marjelin
02/14/2019
Helping us build Cecy's brick by brick!
$15
Monetary Contribution

Want to make a monetary contribution with no reward? Go for it! We thank you from the bottom of our hearts and can't wait to see you at Cecy's in 2019!

9 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
15% off your first purchase at Cecy's!

You'll receive a coupon for 15% off any purchase at Cecy's! We'll also put your name on a "brick" on our Contributor Board. Thank you for your support!

10 Supporters
Select this reward
50.00 USD
25% off your first purchase at Cecy's!

You'll receive a coupon for 25% off any purchase at Cecy's. We'll also put your name on a "brick" on our Contributor Board. Thank you for your support!

6 Supporters
Select this reward
100.00 USD
Cricket Forge garden Dragonfly/Butterfly

You'll receive a Cricket Forge garden ornament of your choice -- Dragonfly or Butterfly (note: you'll need to come to the Cricket Forge Gallery to pick it up.)  We'll also put your name on a "brick" on our Contributor Board. Thank you for your support!

19 Supporters
Select this reward
200.00 USD
Durham watercolor by Adrienne Oates

You'll receive your choice of Durham-themed watercolor prints by Adriene Oates. Note, you'll have to pick it up at the Cricket Forge Gallery. We'll also post your name on a "brick" on our Contributor Board. Thank you for your support!

5 Supporters
Select this reward
500.00 USD
A class activity at Cecy's for 5

You'll receive a jewelry-making, stained glass, or soldering class at Cecy's for you and 4 friends or co-workers. We'll also post your name on a "brick" on our Contributor Board. Thank you for your support!

0 Supporters
Select this reward
1,000.00 USD
A class activity at Cecy's for 10

You'll receive a jewelry-making, stained glass, or soldering class at Cecy's for you and 9 friends or co-workers. Great for an office party or staff retreat! We'll also post your name on a "brick" on our Contributor Board. Thank you for your support!

0 Supporters
Select this reward

About the Entrepreneur

Durham, NC
Created 1 Campaign

Rewards

Monetary Contribution

Want to make a monetary contribution with no reward? Go for it! We thank you from the bottom of our hearts and can't wait to see you at Cecy's in 2019!

9 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
15% off your first purchase at Cecy's!

You'll receive a coupon for 15% off any purchase at Cecy's! We'll also put your name on a "brick" on our Contributor Board. Thank you for your support!

10 Supporters
Select this reward
50.00 USD
25% off your first purchase at Cecy's!

You'll receive a coupon for 25% off any purchase at Cecy's. We'll also put your name on a "brick" on our Contributor Board. Thank you for your support!

6 Supporters
Select this reward
100.00 USD
Cricket Forge garden Dragonfly/Butterfly

You'll receive a Cricket Forge garden ornament of your choice -- Dragonfly or Butterfly (note: you'll need to come to the Cricket Forge Gallery to pick it up.)  We'll also put your name on a "brick" on our Contributor Board. Thank you for your support!

19 Supporters
Select this reward
200.00 USD
Durham watercolor by Adrienne Oates

You'll receive your choice of Durham-themed watercolor prints by Adriene Oates. Note, you'll have to pick it up at the Cricket Forge Gallery. We'll also post your name on a "brick" on our Contributor Board. Thank you for your support!

5 Supporters
Select this reward
500.00 USD
A class activity at Cecy's for 5

You'll receive a jewelry-making, stained glass, or soldering class at Cecy's for you and 4 friends or co-workers. We'll also post your name on a "brick" on our Contributor Board. Thank you for your support!

0 Supporters
Select this reward
1,000.00 USD
A class activity at Cecy's for 10

You'll receive a jewelry-making, stained glass, or soldering class at Cecy's for you and 9 friends or co-workers. Great for an office party or staff retreat! We'll also post your name on a "brick" on our Contributor Board. Thank you for your support!

0 Supporters
Select this reward