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Date: 3/30/2022
NORTHAMPTON – Billy Park, a longtime graphic designer and Northampton resident, has found a new way of creating a place where artists and musicians in the area can gather and build community.
Throughout the month of March, Park has developed “Mission Common Grounds Co-op,” a space on 18 Center St. where “art, music, and friendly competition” combine to form a healthy community where collaboration and getting to know one another are the focal points of the place. In conjunction with art and live music, Mission Common Grounds will also be a place where “comfy chairs, great books, classic board games, and free tea and coffee for all” will be available to the public upon entering.
“I think it’s more important than ever to get along with people,” said Park, when describing the reasoning for developing this place. “I feel like we can learn from each other just by listening, and that’s what I want this place to be about.”
On March 15, Park contacted local artists asking if they would like their own separate floor-to-ceiling panel in the gallery portion of the co-op to sell and display their work. Park told Reminder Publishing that two artists have already taken spaces in the gallery section, which means there are currently two more spaces at the moment. Park encourages people to message him on Facebook if they are interested in having a space for their art.
Park said that as a single dad it will be difficult for him to always be at the space on a regular basis. Because of this, Park is asking artists who have their work displayed in the space to help out with some hours around the gallery. If artists are too busy to help out in the gallery, then Park said they can always pay a monthly fee so he can hire more help.
The stage is also currently set and wired for live music, and according to Park, he is looking to book future shows, which means he is currently asking interested musicians to reach out to him through Facebook.
“I want every person to come here,” Park told Reminder Publishing. “I want to open a place that hinges on bringing people with different perspectives on life together.”
Park began this journey of opening a space with his “One Love” campaign that began a couple of years ago. Through this campaign, Park was able to visit over 20 states with his children before the pandemic, giving out hugs in each one and listening to people’s stories. Although the pandemic paused in-person interactions, Park continued the campaign by interviewing between 50 and 60 people across the country through radio to hear their stories. This co-op, according to Park, is an extension of that campaign, and he hopes to interview more people in person at Mission now that vaccines are widespread, and the climate has improved.
“If you want to make changes, you have to be open to other perspectives,” said Park. “This should be a space where people can learn from each other.”
People can find more updates on the co-op by following Park’s Facebook page.