Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Sarah Ayers. Raised in Marcellus, Michigan (pop. 1,087) on a property that had been in the family since the 1860s, I dreamt only of leaving. I aspired to work in the art world which, in Marcellus, was synonymous with teaching art in the public school system. Knowing my passion for the arts meant leaving, I moved out when I was 17.

After bouncing around, I ultimately landed in New York City, then Detroit. During that time I worked as Gallery Director at Zabriskie Gallery, Curatorial Fellow at Bard Graduate Center, then in Public Programming at the Detroit Institute of Art. In 2019, I decided to relocate back to the rural community of Three Oaks, Michigan; close to Marcellus, but not quite.

As fate and cliches would have it, in 2020, I found myself back in Marcellus purchasing the old hardware store. Transforming it into equal parts art venue and community center, it has now been operational for five years. We have featured over 40 artists from across the United States and Canada, served over 2,000 students through our arts programs, and provided retail space to local artists, earning over $20,000 in retail revenue that circulates back to our local economy.

Prompted by our unique positioning in a rural community, I began the journey to deepen my understanding of rural organizational frameworks and the broader art histories grounded in spaces beyond the urban periphery. After all, there is no urban without the rural. The interdependency of the two is often overlooked and under-researched, particularly within the cultural sector.

As I near the completion of my PhD through Transart Institute and LJMU, no small feat for a first-generation college kid from the middle of nowhere, I am finding more interest than I had anticipated in the results of my research. Rural arts organizations have been transparent and collaborative, requesting ongoing engagement. Urban arts organizations have requested key insights as recent administrative changes have demanded rethinking existing frameworks. And the conversation transcends geographical constructs.

My research will continue live as a series of articles, interviews and toolkits on this website. The information will remain free to access and aim to encourage ongoing opportunities to learn and collaborate. I know that I, for one, look forward to watching its transformation. After all, sometimes it just takes a different perspective.