In early 2004 I decided that the empty spot above my couch was in desparate need of some black and white photos of my hometown, Columbus. I measured the space out, determined that four square photos would fit very nicely, then began a quest to find and purchase the perfect photos. The problem was, that I had already created in my mind exactly what would look right. After a month of paruzing galleries looking for just the right thing, I gave up and decided to take matters into my own hands.
If you want something done right, do it yourself, correct? Well, that was my thinking too. I borrowed my father's camera and went out shooting. The next morning after going through everything I captured, I felt I had a couple of shots that would fill that space beautifully.
About three months later a friend came by and while chatting noticed the photos above the couch. When I told him they were mine, he was impressed, and encouraged me that I should shoot more to develop that look and style, then consider selling the photos at different art shows and similar events.
I was naive enough to believe I could actually do it. From about June 2004 right up until my October 23 opening I shot photos like a mad man. On October 23, 2004 I turned 26 and Metroscap was officially born. The collection that night featured exactly 20 different images of the downtown Columbus area. The opening was in the meeting space at the Lofts Hotel and many of the invited friends, clients and family showed up and were kind enough to bring their wallets. Nine pieces were sold that night and has it happened I was on cloud 9 (it was merely a coincidence).
Next, seemed odd at the time, but after giving it some thought could not have been more perfect for the product. The North Market had a program where any space that they had empty could be leased for a day and I could come in and set up my area and attempt to sell my product to any and all that would see it and be interested. On November 6th I set my stuff up for the first time for anyone in the general public to see. The feedback that day was amazing. Although the sales weren’t a whole lot, the feeling was that I was on the right track. The sales though weren't that far behind. The next Saturday, November 13, more pieces sold that day than on the opening night and the previous week combined. Metroscap was off and running.
I booked as many days as I could between Thanksgiving and Christmas and was flat out astonished at how well the collection was received. In February 2005 the North Market informed us their "Day-Stall Vendor" program would no longer be available, as all of their available space was going to be leased up on April 1. So what seemed like the best solution to our problem was to take what was available and make it work. The office space that my father and I already were working out of became our first Showroom.
On February 12, 2005 the first corner of carpet came up and through April 7, 2005 our boring "middle management" looking office room with really terrible carpet and drop ceiling made the transformation into the Metroscap Showroom. By the time the showroom opened the Metroscap collection had grown from 20 images on October 23, 2004 to over 30 different images in April 2005.
Now, 2½ years later, We've moved into a nicer, bigger and much more visable location directly across the street from Lindey's Restaurant in German Vilage. And the collection of work has grown to include 14 other cities besides just Columbus.
Its very exciting to see where this little thing got its start, and where its at today. I'm afraid to pinch myself sometimes because I don't want to wake up if this isn't real.
Jason Wilson | Metroscap, Ltd.
