Local art enthusiasts accustomed to cruising exhibits, lectures and readings at The WAVE Gallery space will discover a pivotal change in the life of the gallery. Former owner, artist and entrepreneur Sabrina Jackson is turning over the space to local nonprofit Eugene Contemporary Art (ECA). 

“The answer to keeping independent art alive in Eugene is not to try to make money off of selling it in the traditional gallery format,” Jackson says, “but more so in engaging the community in education and art-related events through nonprofit organizations.”

Jackson will remain involved with the gallery space, volunteering and continuing to contribute, but as of Sunday, July 1, The WAVE Gallery will undergo a transformation into the nonprofit realm. ECA is in the process of developing the gallery into a contemporary arts center focusing on education as well as appreciation. 

“Our main goal is to do a local residency program for artists to put on shows here in the future,” new co-owner Courtney Stubbert says. 

Stubbert, joined by ECA co-founder and director of education Wesley Hurd, says he looks forward to further developing The WAVE Gallery and creating a sustainable, non-traditional gallery space.

“Some of Eugene’s most successful artists end up being successful and having their shows in Portland,” Stubbert says. “We are trying to change that.”

Gallery goers can look forward to the development of a quarterly artist residency program, lecture series, open-studio visits, readings and more. 

For more info on the ECA, visit eugenecontemporaryart.com