"Hair Raising Art"

     "At Studio 820, ART AND FASHION COEXIST," exclaims Cyndie Thomson, owner and director of Five Points' newest art establishment. Hers is the only business in the area that merges fashion, hair and image design with original art by area creators.

Such independence of art ideas, goals and business commitment seems, in part, to "go with the turf," since Thomson too over Lee Harvey's space on Post Street. She even considered launching a Studio 820 in the property just before Harvey leased it. When this happened, Thomson assumed the management of a downtown hair stylist studio, subsequently organizing and presenting local artist solo shows. She, in turn, purchased certain paintings by local "edge" artists from Harvey's personal collection, which he sold prior to leaving Jacksonville.

Visitors to Studio 820 realize immediately that the hair salon and "image design studio" displays art not as mere wall decoration but as a planned, integral dimension of the studio's function. This may lead one to wonder: do distractions occure between staff and clients due to unscheduled casual visits or spontaneous public viewers? Thomson affirmed that she had no difficulties or complaints. Indeed, the clients responded positively as involved participants of both salon and gallary patrions.

Studio 820 hosts several art shows each year. Click here to see what show is going on at this time


* Taken from article Hair Raising Art  by Ted Weeks