Fully enclosed shopping centers have been popular for centuries. Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, with its more than three thousand shops, encompasses 61 streets sheltered by roofs and domes, ten wells, four fountains and two mosques.

Here in Coos County we have Pony Village Mall, a source of retail goods, restaurants, and entertainment. And, in the midst of this mecca of consumerism, we have a cooperative, working gallery — supported and run by its members, and devoted to the exhibition and promotion of members’ art.

The sign says it all: Fine Art at an Excellent Price.

With 28 members and a prime, East Wing location just steps from the mall’s parking lots, The Artist Loft is beautifully positioned to bring original art to the masses of shoppers (and walkers) who yearn to escape from “big box” stores.

“We just love it,” declares co-op member Barbara Mahon. “It is so serene and peaceful. We have enjoyed, so much, the foot traffic here.”

In September 2003 when Artist Loft first convened, it was housed within several rooms on the mezzanine level. It was a good spot to begin the adventure, but when the Mall’s owners made downstairs space available 18 months ago, the cooperative eagerly made the switch. Walls space is at a premium in any art gallery. At Artist Loft, a three-tier membership model dictates whose work appears where. Governing members, according to Mahon, carry the burden of keeping the gallery going. They pay a lower commission rate on their sales but they also devote time to staffing and managing the store.

“Exhibitors” work just one day each month, and are asked to pay for their space. In effect, they rent their walls, paying for high profile placement. The third group is very small in number, says Mahon, and theirs is a commission-only relationship. Their work is primarily jewelry and small sculptures, easily displayed on low plinths and within cases.

Mahon, one of the founding members of the cooperative, says the members feel they are “plowing ground” by having art available in the mall. “We keep in mind our community,” she says. “We try to have a big range with our prices, and we like to get people involved in art ... Our customers are primarily our local people. We don’t depend on tourist trade.”

The governing members act as jurors for artists new to the cooperative. Mahon reports that Artist Loft has a waiting list, reviewed two or three times each year. For now, she believes wall space is prime space and, therefore, new members must also be working members. “We have had a terrible time getting photography. I’ve had nibble after nibble, but just can’t seem to get people to land,” declares Mahon. She says the group continues to seek out pottery and glass artists as well. “Those are the two areas we can’t seem to attract.”

There is, however, no shortage of students. Three of the members have expanded the cooperative’s reach by offering classes within an interior room, just behind the gallery.

Sharon Backues teaches portrait painting, and Mahon will again offer a series of drawing classes: Basic Perspective and Contour Drawing have start dates set for early 2009. Jeweler Hester Solseng, whose work combines gemstones with beads, will teach a jewelry-making and beading class.

Next Thursday, Artist Loft Gallery will celebrate ArtWalk with the commencement of their annual Holly Berry Sale. Shoppers who spot the red sprigs of berries will find discounts of ten to 20 percent. Live music plus a drawing for various gallery items — jewelry, prints, cards and even a few original paintings — will mark the festivities.

Not everyone appreciates a mall. Mark Twain once famously said, “We went to the grand Bazaar in Stamboul, of course, and I shall not describe it further than to say it is a monstrous hive of little shops.”

It may not have the mosques, but Pony Village continues the longstanding tradition of free trade within a sheltered, pedestrian-friendly setting. The Artist Loft cooperative gallery is a fine fit for that space.

Teri Albert reviews art and artists for The World. Comments on or story ideas for this column are welcome, and can be e-mailed to malbert3@verizon.net.