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Nobody knows the value of sharing creative expression quite like Rebecca Willis. Willis and her partner, Jim, love living in Empire, but found themselves at a loss for space when it came to working on their various art projects. In a decision to improve their situation, the couple found a spot in November 2015 that they originally saw as a personal studio, but additionally opened to the public during the 2016 Asparagus Festival as “JoJo and Bucky’s,” a place where tourists and locals alike can shop while also seeing working artists in action.

Sleeping Bear Gallery owner Heather Caverly hopes to bring an art revolution to Empire. Caverly purchased the Empire Clipper Building across Front Street from the Village Office in January and, together with curator Becky Willis, she aims to turn it into a haven that features artists in residence, demonstrations and lectures and, of course, displays of unique art including metals, wood, glass, fibers, paintings, sculptures, ceramics and photography. Caverly and her husband Mark live in the apartment upstairs.