History of A.C.,T.
A.C.,T. (Artist Cooperative, The) began in the last months of 1990 to
promote and provide a non-juried venue for local emerging artists of all disciplines, and
to form a community of artists for fellowship, solidarity, resource and outreach. The first
venue, at the Paradigm Center for the Arts in Harmony Park was short lived, and A.C.,T.
used alternative venues, among them the 911 Gallery (a satellite of then Michigan Gallery
run by Carl Kamulski) and Urban Park (an "open air" gallery space in Trappers Alley run by
Dave Roberts), before settling into a first floor space in the Biegas Gallery Building
(now part of the PuppetArt Theater). Encouraged to move upstairs in the Biegas Gallery
space to make way for the PuppetArt Theater, A.C.,T. uses this gallery space for its
shows today. "The Co-op" has in the past used "alternative" venues and spaces for a variety
of different exhibits. Places like the Majestic Café and the old Good Housekeeping
Building (now the Carlton Building on Library Street) were places A.C.,T. members and
committees conceived, developed and realized shows befitting for these resources.
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