The Roanoke Times | File April

Suzun Hughes and John Wilson have renovated the former Henri Kessler furriers building at 117 W. Campbell Ave.

Artists along the 100 block of West Campbell Avenue, which is enjoying a mini-Renaissance, are joining forces to bring more business their way.

"This is becoming a whole Campbell arts district, and we are calling ourselves that," said C.J. Phillips, one of several artists who have opened studios and galleries in a renovated building at 110 W. Campbell Ave.

The official name is the West Campbell Arts District, according to artist Suzun Hughes, who is already using the name on posters and e-mails.

"The whole idea is to start increasing awareness and publicize it," said Hughes, who with artist-husband John Wilson has renovated the former Henri Kessler furriers building at 117 W. Campbell Ave. "We are branding our area in an attempt to bring more business west of Jefferson. We need the tourists."

Studios on the Square owner Richard Kurshan led the migration to the 100 block of West Campbell Avenue when he reopened his studios and gallery there after leaving the City Market half a dozen years ago. Kurshan has since put his building on the market, saying sales no longer support the business.

But others have stepped into the breach.

Artists Claudia de Franko, Hughes, Wilson, Phillips and Ann Glover have all opened or are opening studios or galleries on the block. The Cheshire Gallery, a commercial gallery formerly located in Wasena, has opened there as well.

Other projects just a stone's throw away include Studio Roanoke, a new live theater under construction in the former New York Fashions building at 30 W. Campbell Ave., and Blue Five restaurant, around the corner on Second Street, which features live music nightly.

Hughes said the theater, Blue Five and the Eclectic Book Shop, which has been located at 110 W. Campbell Ave. for more than a decade, could be a part of the new arts district as well.

In addition to putting "West Campbell Arts District" on business materials, the artists plan to pass out literature about the district when the Taubman Museum of Art opens Nov. 8, Hughes said.

The arts district, Hughes noted, "is still in the process of becoming" -- but she is already thinking ahead. And she's not thinking small.

"The municipal building would be a good museum," she said. The building is in the next block. "It's a magnificent building. And it looks like it's out of date for its current use."

Opening weekend events

Here's the latest on events surrounding the opening of the Taubman Museum of Art the weekend of Nov. 8 and 9:

n "Art on the Asphalt," an annual out-of-doors art show held by Roanoke's Signature 9 Gallery, will take place on Kirk Avenue on Nov. 8, so long as the city approves, artist Vera Dickerson said. The gallery/artists' cooperative, of which Dickerson is a member, moved from Old Southwest to the corner of Jefferson Street and Kirk Avenue last spring.

The outdoors show should add to a carnival atmosphere downtown on opening weekend, with the art museum planning music and entertainment and the city's second annual arts festival taking place as well.

"For all those people they're expecting, it will give them some more art to see," Dickerson said of Art on the Asphalt. "Because they certainly can't all fit in the museum at the same time."

n Sundance Film Festival award winner Paul Harrill will screen two short films at the Grandin Theatre on Nov. 9, as part of Roanoke's arts festival.

"Quick Feet, Soft Hands" examines a young couple trying to pursue the American Dream. "Gina, An Actress, Age 29" is about a budding actress.

Harrill will be in attendance to introduce the films and take questions afterward.

n Lexington photographer Sally Mann will be included in an exhibit of contemporary landscape photography at the new art museum -- one of several exhibits to be unveiled there on opening day. Mann, who was named "American's best photographer" by Time magazine in 2001, said she's hoping to attend.

More about Mann

"What Remains," the documentary film on Mann's life and work by New York filmmaker Steven Cantor, has been nominated for two Emmy awards.

The film debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in 2006 and premiered on television on Cinemax on Jan. 31, 2007. Emmy award winners will be announced Sept. 22.

A new exhibit of Mann's work also is scheduled for February at New York City's Gagosian Gallery.