Art Throb is a really cool and informative blog coming out of Salem. Check out the interview we did with them below and go check out their site www.nsartthrob.com

10 Questions for The Hive

Without sounding like complete groupies, we at Art Throb would just like to say: The Hive is so cool…and we want to be your friends in art and community! Your opening statement on your blog makes us tingle: The Hive is equal parts working studio, gallery event space & clubhouse for the younger generation of Cape Ann creative folk. We formed early in 2009 to encourage art & idea collaborations, support systems and the creation of links between individuals and their community as a whole.

You are our Cape Ann blog crush! We love it when you use phrases like cross-pollination — clever coming from The Hive. The fact that most of you are Cape Ann surfers nearly puts us over the edge…YOU ARE ART THROBS! We plan to be at your gallery opening on July 10 when you feature the Robotic Creations of Tom Torrey and other inspiring North Shore artists at your studio across from the Rockport train station.

We first heard about you from the adorable and talented musician Jesse Ciarmataro – one of your affiliated artists — when we bumped into him on Salem’s Derby Wharf walking dogs.

We’ve heard through the grapevine that you might like us too…We thought of writing you a love letter, but then we thought, how about tracking down Jon the Surfer of Everlution Design, the creative force behind The Hive, and doing a Q and A. Without further ado…

Q: (Dinah Cardin): Are you the founder?

A: (Jon Conant): Yes, I consider myself the founder and working creative director, although I have a core crew of people in the community that I rely on for making decisions concerning the gallery, marketing etc.

Q: How did you come up with the cool name — the Hive?

A: The Hive is a name I’ve been thinking about for some time now. I like it cause it represents an active working community with lots of energy. I’ve been in this studio for 4 years now and had other artists sublet space the whole time. After going through a few name changes I finally settled on The Hive as an umbrella name for the whole building.

Q: How did the collaborative come together?

A: Originally my vision for the Hive was to get a big building filled with private studios, communal workspace for classes, a gallery space, maybe some sort of food/coffee option all under one roof. Kind of like the Steelyard in Providence. I wanted/ still want to create that space that could be a hub for the younger creative community on Cape Ann but we are starting small in our current location and will see where it goes.

Q: What are you trying to do with this collaborative?

A: Our Mission is “The Hive seeks to build community by providing a space for arts exploration, cross-pollination of ideas and promoting creative and active lifestyles on Cape Ann”. That, pretty much sums it up I guess. Create community, motivate people to be creative in all aspects of life, give a venue for non-traditional work, make Cape Ann a better more unique environment. I really want to facilitate connections between people. There is a great community of younger creative and active people here. But being New Englanders, I feel that a lot of us are kind of slow to connect with others. This is really unfortunate.

Q: What’s the scene like in Gloucester/Cape Ann these days? Is it getting as hip as it seems?

A: It’s coming around although not as quick as some would hope. I think everyone agrees that Gloucester in particular has a ton of untapped potential. I think it’s up to the younger generation to get it to the tipping point. I mean Cape Ann in general is so beautiful! I think of it as really good base camp in that everyday you can go out and have an adventure be it surfing, climbing, trail running, snorkeling, kayaking to the islands etc. There is so much space and terrain to explore. We are really blessed to have that. As far as the businesses that are here, I guess I just wish they took the extra step to make themselves a bit more unique and fun! Don’t be afraid of color.

As far as the art scene goes…In my opinion it’s way too focused on traditional work, too old, too competitive, and way too self-serious. I think Cape Ann is a victim of its history in a way. The whole area is typecast from one too many paintings of Motif #1. I think the whole arts community needs to forget about the history for a while and try something new. We really have nothing to lose and everything to gain at this point. I’m sure this will piss off a lot of people but that’s pretty much how I see it. I mean just calling myself an artist up here makes me uncomfortable because of certain hoakie connotations. I just like to think of myself as someone who likes to make stuff and be creative.

Q: How many of you are also surfers? Explain why art and surfing go hand in hand?

A: A lot of us are surfers. Not really sure why art and surfing go hand in hand. I think it’s personal for everyone. Surfing is one of the most important and enjoyable aspects of my life. I schedule everything around it when it’s good.

Q: How do you think North Shore communities can work together to improve the art scene?

A: Obviously be supportive of each other and make connections and collaborate. I guess I would also say be honest of what the current creative scene is and try to find ways to motivate yourself and other people to make it better.

Q: Future of the Hive?

A: We are opening our Gallery on July 10th. Tom Torrey of www.gammaraybots.com is going to be the first featured artist. (lots of other work too) After that we’ll take it day by day, try to get more artists involved, grow the community and hopefully one day reach the original vision.

Q: How did you find Art Throb?

A: Kyle Browne, an artist who is involved with The Hive told us about you guys.

Thanks so much, Jon!

Along with being the founder and working creative director of the Hive, Jon also spends his time in the studio making objects from reclaimed wood under the label Everlution Forms and firing glass into retro cabinet hardware under the label Retroglassworks. Other than that he likes spending time surfing, climbing and exploring Cape Ann with his wife Karen and their 2 dogs Moxy & Kiwi.