‘BannerQueen’ Johnquest and ‘PhotoWench’ Waldman will open Spot 22 on Cottage Street.
Amy Johnquest and Stacy Waldman have known each other about three years, and are familiar faces within the Easthampton arts and culture scene.
Now the two friends are opening a quirky storefront gallery and studio on Cottage Street. Spot 22 will merge BannerQueen, Johnquest’s art and design studio, with House of Mirth Photos, the vintage photograph and ephemera business run by Waldman.
The type of work we do really complements each other,” said Waldman, who has been collecting and selling vintage photographs for over 16 years. Work from her collections can be found in vernacular photography coffee table books, museum shows and collections worldwide.
Johnquest is known for her carnival-like, sideshow-style banner art and illustration. “My work is strictly low-tech with a quasi-folk art bent,” she said. “I like to play with words, double entendres, curiosities, and curly-Qs.”
The two met at a collage party at Waldman’s home. “I was immediately influenced by Stacy’s photo collection, and wowed by her discard photo box,” said Johnquest. “I started painting on them, and one thing led to another.”
Waldman said people who wish to sell old photo collections should come see her. Johnquest said she looks forward to having a “fabulous storefront window” for installations.
Spot 22 will host a public grand opening on Friday, Sept. 23 from 5-9 p.m. The Holyoke Hummus food truck, hand-painted by Johnquest, will be parked out front for the dinner crowd.
Mary Serreze can be reached at mserreze@gmail.com