The Helm Gallery's in deep water--and you can save it.

It's a known fact that galleries don't make a whole lot of money, especially the small, cutting-edge ones like The Helm, just up from Tully's on Broadway downtown. For a year now they've been showing exactly the kind of art that doesn't make big bucks, but gives a great aesthetic edge to our town: huge painted cardboard cubby-houses, exquisite pen-and-ink drawings, afghan scarf installations, purses made from ceramic. They've supported many local artists, and given us the kind of funky art we don't want to have to go to Seattle for. And they've been breaking even, til now.

But now they're in trouble. They're not just not making money, they're out of money. They have another 12 months on their lease, but unless they get some funds fast, they'll "just go belly-up," says co-owner Sean Alexander.

Tacoma poster, by Sean Alexander. Image courtesy The Helm Gallery.

So here's how you can help.

The Helm is selling off prints of this terrific drawing by Alexander of a dreamy Tacoma layered in domes like the Emerald City. Each print (an edition of 300) costs $50, of which 1/3 goes to a Helm mural project downtown and the rest to saving this hip art space. (The original's also for sale, at $450.)

Get your print at The Helm, Blackwater Cafe or Tacoma Art Supply in about seven days, when they're back from the printer.

Meanwhile, says Alexander, the gallery will stay open through September, as they have artists booked (check out the opening Thursday night of scream-inducing, black-humor art.)

After that--well, it depends on the money.