Arts&Entertainment
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TROY FALK AND JIM FLACK, owners of Doc’S Place, 14008* St., In the Haymarket, decided to Include artwoik In their bar both because
tt seemed natural and It was a way to support their artist friends. Currently showing are drawings by Steve Shutz.
Culture, cocktails meld in pub
If it’s possible to combine bar cul
ture and high culture, Doc’s Place has
the market cornered.
Located in the historic Haymarket
district, the relatively new Doc’s Place,
140 N. 8* St., offers both swanky liba
tions and stylish artwork created by
local artists each month.
“We thought it would be nice to
change the scenery on a regular basis -
to keep it fresh,” Doc’s co-owner Jim
Flack said.
The idea to hang artwork came
before the completion of the bar, which
was built primarily by Flack and his
partner, Troy Falk.
“When we came into the space and
started remodeling, we knew that was
what we wanted to do,” Flack said.
“The art seems natural here.”
Abounding with natural oak,
exposed brick and a granite bar top, the
art does indeed seem right at home.
In addition to the aesthetic merits of
the works, Flack and Falk said they also
wanted to support friends who were
artists.
“We wanted to give them a place
where they could display their art and
wouldn’t be charged a gallery fee or a
percentage of their sales,” Falk said.
“Even though at first the artists were
friends and acquaintances, we’re now
booked through June with local artists
who have sought us out.”
Although they don’t charge any
fees, Flack and Falk ask artists to sub
mit a portfolio to avoid displaying
offensive work.
Since its opening in September,
Doc’s has featured three artists - Mark
Frantz, Kamron Becwar and, currently,
Steve Shutz.
“At first, we started showing artists
every 60 days,” Flack said, “But with
the response we’ve had, we decided to
give more artists a chance and show
new work every 30 days.”
Shutz, whose work will be up until
the end of this month, said he was glad
to be a part of Doc’s monthly showing.
“It’s nice that they give local artists
a chance to get some work out there. I
think more people should do that,”
Shutz said. “It’s a win-win situation -
it’s good publicity for both parties.”
Doc’s has also had a good response
from patrons about the art.
“Customers who don’t usually look
at art critique it and compare it to other
artists who have been shown,” Flack
said. “It’s always fun at the beginning of
the month to see people’s reactions.”
In addition to work that is hung, it’s
evident there is artistry in the location
itself.
From mid-June until the opening in
September, Falk and Flack worked to
remodel the site and transform it into a
classy yet comfortable martini bar.
“The idea was in the works for five
years,” Flack said. “We did as much of
the work as we could and were our own
contractors. We’re quite attached to the
space.”
Immediately upon walking in the
door, customers see an immaculate oak
bar with glass shelving overhead. Next
to the bar - where the majority of the art
hangs - are leather chairs, tables and a
couch to sit and enjoy the scenery.
One piece of art has a permanent
place on Doc’s wall.
To the left of the bar is a mural
painted by Mark Frantz - one of the
aforementioned featured artists.
If one were to imagine the mural as
a window, the scene would resemble
the actual buildings across the street
from Doc’s - where The Mill and
Vincenzo’s are located - circa 1920.
The mural, which takes up almost
an entire wall, took two months to
paint. A few finishing touches have yet
to be made.
- “Eventually, it will look like it’s
been here as long as the bricks,” Falk
said.
Though Frantz’s work is perma
nent, it still goes along with the philos
ophy of the monthly showings, as it
serves not only as decoration but also
as publicity for the artist.
“It’s really a display of the quality of
murals that he can do,” Falk said.
Eventually, Flack and Falk said they
plan to expand the scope of their vision.
By this spring, the owners said they
hope to establish outside seating and
offer deli sandwiches for lunch.
But for right now, a comfortable
atmosphere and regularly scheduled art
will do just fine, they said.
And for those who are still a bit
uncomfortable with mixing high cul
ture and bar culture, Flack doesn’t
mind.
“We’d like to encourage people to
stop in and check out the artwork with
out feeling pressured to stay.”
Photo by Heather Glenboski
Story by Shelley Mika
