STAPLETON — A new building with studios for artists will host a casino night to raise money for future shows.
The Staten Island Artist Building, which opened on Wave Street in December, is showing off paintings from local artist Dennis Green Saturday, alongside professional dealers who will be setting up blackjack, roulette and craps tables.
"All the proceeds will keep the gallery going for the next events," building owner John Sallis said.
"I'm not charging at the door. Let's hope people have fun, people come and play. If we break-even — fine — and if we don't, then it went down in history as something that happened on Staten Island."
Aside from the paintings and gambling, the night will also feature live music and raffles.
For Sallis, a real estate developer, opening the space was less about turning a profit — which he said he doesn't expect to do — and more about supporting artists in the borough who had few options when it comes to studio space.
And while the space has only been open for a short time, Sallis said he has already filled the majority of the studios.
He's also working on getting a curator to run more shows and a cafe for artists and visitors.
