Wild Goose Creative to leave original location

Wild Goose Creative plans to leave the Summit Street space where the group has been located since its founding 12 years ago.

Leaders of the nonprofit arts organization attributed the decision to the financial losses they’ve endured since being forced to close in mid-march at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. In that time, Wild Goose — which earns the majority of its revenue from other organizations that rent the space for events — has hosted just one gallery opening in July.

“It’s sad,” said Lydia Simon, Wild Goose’s interim executive director. “Being closed for the past six months has been very difficult financially for us.”

But it’s not the end of Wild Goose Creative. Organization leaders say that the announced expansion to Franklinton will be underway in the near future with a possible opening in a matter of months, Simon said.

The building at 188 Mcdowell St. is about double the size of the current space and will be divided into two areas — a performance space and a lounge area with a kitchen for potential cooking programs. However, the Franklinton site was meant to be the second — not the only — location for Wild Goose Creative, which had outgrown its space at 2491 Summit St.

Since its founding in 2008, Wild Goose had blossomed into a bustling space for art galleries, stand-up comedy shows and live music. Throughout 2019, the space in the South Hudson neighborhood welcomed an estimated 13,000 visitors and hosted 320 events, 150 of which were recurring programs.

“Before the pandemic happened, we were turning creatives away left and right because we were booked,” Simon said. “I think we have really been a platform for creatives to launch their careers and build connections in the community — artists have taken risks, artists have experimented.”

Now, Wild Goose leaders look forward to a future in Franklinton, itself a growing arts district that’s home to the Vanderelli Room, the Roy G Biv Gallery and 400 West Rich — an enclave for artists to rent space to create and display their work. Simon envisions a boost to foot traffic from outings such as Franklinton Fridays.

In the meantime, Wild Goose is temporarily located in the Bridge Gallery at 400 West Rich. The community is also invited to say their goodbyes to the Summit Street space from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday.

“It’s an end of an era at Summit Street, but we will bring the soul of Wild Goose to Franklinton,” Simon said. “We’re going to be working really hard to expand our reach throughout the community.” elagatta@dispatch.com @Ericlagatta