This column marks the beginning of a new adventure. “Have Art…Will Travel” plans to make the journey as much fun as the destination. The primary focus will remain art in all its splendor, taking us to locales far and wide, mainly in Pennsylvania, but will venture to neighboring states. The goal is for day trips only, and it will do its best to align with the seasons for timely choices to travel safely.
First stop is to the Red Rose city of Lancaster and EsōArts, located in its heart. Lancaster is known for its love affair with the field of art, as its reputation is inextricably linked to “Gallery Row,” home to art emporiums, museums, restaurants, shops and coffeehouses, all connected to art. The new kid on the map, EsōArts, opened in the winter of 2023, starting the year off on the right foot and, by now, its footprint is clearly making a lasting impression.
Andrew Silvius and Zachary Walter
Rebels and Pioneers
Life has its share of twists and turns, ups and downs, and roadblocks along the way. And there are times when even the best of us travels down a dead-end alley with no light to point the way. That an unlikely trio of trailblazers came together under the banner of “art” as their saving grace is remarkable.
Providence paradoxically provided point and counterpoint in uniting entrepreneur Chris Dreisbach with two former clients of his clinic, Blueprint for Addiction Recovery. Renegades both, Andrew Silvius and Zach Walter at one time were “lost souls in revelry” before seeking help. Coming together under the umbrella of sobriety, they discovered a shared love of art, and a connection was forged that became unbreakable. To this day, Andrew and Zachary hold each other accountable both in business and staying strong and sober through life. As fate would have it, Andrew had just completed running a successful West End art market in Lancaster when, shortly after, he was contacted by a real estate agent about a warehouse-sized space available at the site of the former Chameleon Club.
On the day we arrived to visit EsōArts, Corey, an art ambassador, gave us the grand tour. Entering the hallway, there is art for as far as the eye can see. The second observation is that EsōArts has a vibe so chill and Zen, I felt for a moment I was in a deep freeze in a grocery store.
The ebb and flow through the main floor delivers a new artist and medium at every turn. Music played on a flat screen TV showcasing concerts from a multitude of genres, much like the diverse representation of artists throughout the venue. EsōArts, in its first year, has featured, in its 4,000-square-foot cavernous “art airport,” yoga classes, figure drawing classes, open mic nights, poetry slams, art classes and lectures, tattoos, rock nights, hip hop hegemony, dance offs and anything else one can dream of.
EsōArts’ strength comes from a different point of view artistically as it showcases unique brands, purely of the artists’ making. It has a street beat with its pulse resonating across borders. The name derives from “esoteric,” which translates to, “understood by a small group, for people in the know.” A mix of mediums makes for a surprise at every turn and finds touchstones throughout the building. Wild paintings, fabulous fiber art, potent photography, upcycled clothing, and barrels full of arcane accessories complete the picture.
EsōArts is the antidote, or at least a viable alternative, to the fine art found on Gallery Row. Since January, this “new kid” blocks away is making its “rep” with street cred to spare. “From the very start, it was never our intent to be a fine art gallery,” Andrew stated.
EsōArts is the people’s gallery—their art, their scene, their dream.
“The response to the enterprise has been overwhelming, and the learning curve takes place daily,” Andrew shared. “Chris brings business acumen to the operation, as Zach and I start to realize something as small as receipts for supplies and petty cash expenses all add up to a bigger picture.”
There is no label attached to EsōArts as it wears so many hats: art space, concert hall, retail boutique, after-school art programs, and even a tattoo parlor upstairs.
“We would not have the success we have seen without community love and support,” Andrew said.
Kathleen Sullivan from Lancaster City Alliance has been instrumental, as has Lancaster Distilleries, providing mixed spirits for the special over-21 events. Jae, the owner of vintage clothing store, Basura, adds dramatic flair for the stage of life at the gallery. Andrew is effusive in his recognition and praise of so many players behind the scenes.
The best part may be that the artists keep all the profits from the sale of their wares. At any given time, EsōArts is home to 65 artists, a myriad of hopes and dreams. The rent for space is extremely affordable, ranging from $70 to $150 a month. More important than the financial gains, the artists’ sales validate them as important contributors, making Lancaster a more vital place. First Fridays are a conduit of energy and electricity running through the space, with the crowd always ready for a unique experience.
Andrew’s overarching goal has always been to “inspire vulnerability in our community,” a commitment from the heart. Everyone involved becomes part of the inside looking out at the world with their own special point of view. EsōArts: a gathering, a groove, a gallery for all the right reasons. The lyrics from X Ambassadors’ “Renegades” tells a story of how “rebels and pioneers,” once lost, found their way home. “All hail the underdogs; all hail the new kids…it’s time to break the rules. Let’s begin.”
EsōArts is located at 317 N. Queen St., Lancaster. For more information, visit www.esoartslanc.com.
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