How will the arts survive?

This is the winter of John Bodkin's discontent.

Less than three months ago, the Annapolis resident was almost giddy as he opened crates filled with paintings for the first exhibit at his new gallery. He was full of hope and promise for what he saw as a completely different art experience in the city.

These days, there's a lot of disappointment in Mr. Bodkin's voice, as the picture is a whole lot grimmer at American Contemporary Gallery. Faced with dismal sales under the weight of the sagging economy, Mr. Bodkin is merely trying to keep the doors open and his dream alive. If things don't improve, he might not...