The Haymakers at Industry Lounge & Gallery

Industry began as a flea market in 2018. Somehow, that was four years ago, but our understanding of time is stilted and rigid and it's been longer than that in Human years (we just don't know it yet). To say that it was an "upscale flea market" is akin to calling a skydiver "cautious", but attempts at "curation" were made. Curation attracted artists and, the flea market took on an art guild. Music and musicians followed course -and we'd all been drinking and making merry the

whole time to boot, we just weren't charging ourselves for the privilege. Once we got our bar in place the funds generated from our gatherings (art shows, music concerts, whiskey tastings, live sketch nights, dance nights) helped fund a place where artists could congregate, display and grow. Many people signed up as "patrons" and their monthly dues go towards supporting the arts (and there are a bunch of perks, but you should join an idea because it makes sense, not because it gives you something). So, Industry is still full of antiques you can buy, artwork you can hoard and memories who's shinny veneer will fade to a nostalgic pale. It's been a beautiful group effort and the people who run it and own it all started as members. They kept it open, against some pretty tall odds, through the pandemic and beyond with imagination and care and diligence -three qualities, that when applied to any challenge in equal parts, are unstoppable. I've wanted to murder almost everyone I've worked with, curated for or interacted with in the place, but when I step back and see what it became, I'm very glad I didn't. It would not be without you all and you need a little bit of everything to make a world. All things change, everything fades - I just hope that Industry takes its sweet time doing so.

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