Local galleries

Today while perusing one of my favorite indulgences, ApartmentTherapy, I was reminded of a simple artist resource you can take advantage of, even if you're not living in a big city like New York or L.A. - the local gallery. Most small cities or towns throughout our great country have at least one cultural center or art gallery set up to serve local artists. We often get swept away by larger-than-life ideas of what we want out art to be (in museums, Chelsea galleries, etc.), but sometimes showing our work at the local level is more rewarding, in terms of feedback (not to mention sales).

ApartmentTherapy profiled Austin Art Garage in Texas, which shows the work of emerging artists on a monthly basis. I encourage everyone to look into their neighborhood or local art organizations, galleries, or support programs to find a similar space near you. Not only could you possibly get a chance to exhibit your work close to home, but you may very well find other artists for studio visits, critics or art historians for engaging conversation, and a really great opportunity to see art, in person, on a regular basis.

Art trade: hotel stay?

Berlin is a fabulous place for artists to live, or to visit. Many of my young artist, musician, or writer friends are moving there for cheaper rent and a booming arts scene. There are lots of art museums and galleries in Berlin, as well as other great resources that make it an ideal place to visit, as well.

Now, a hotel in Berlin is offering artists who are "strapped for cash" a trade - artwork for boarding at the hotel. The five-star Hotel Marienband in Auguststrasse is inviting artists to live in a room and use it as a sort of evolving art space.

From the Telegraph:

Susanne Pfeffer, curator of the Kunst-Werke Institute of Contemporary Art, which set up the project, said: "As long as they come from outside Berlin and need a bed for the night, everyone is welcome, though we've got such a long waiting list that we are very careful about picking and choosing our guests."

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Legal resource

As artists, we know that sometimes the law can either help us out, or really get in the way. Plagiarism and copyright infringements can be clear-cut when discussing literature or commercial situations, but what about fine art? After all, Shepard Fairey is in a world of trouble right now for using an AP photograph for the basis of his Obama Hope posters. While it can't take the place of a really good lawyer, I did come across a decent website with information for us. StarvingArtistsLaw.com, while the design is primitive at best, actually provides some really good information.

Art in a Box

I came across this interesting program based in San Francisco. Art in a Box introduces citizens to local artists by having them subscribe to a service that delivers art to their doorsteps - much like a "wine of the month" club:

"The Compound Gallery is pleased to announce ART IN A BOX, a new art subscription service featuring Bay Area artists. Operating on the model of a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) or wine subscription service, Art in a Box offers amazing original works of art instead of vegetables or wine. Each month subscribers receive a new work of fine art by a different local artist. Our featured artists work in a variety of mediums (ceramic, printmaking, painting, collage, digital prints, etc.) and most of them live and work in Oakland or San Francisco.

Subscribers can indicate a preference in mediums, but not the artist or piece. All artwork is contained in an 11” x 17” x 3” box along with the artist’s bio. Subscriptions are $30/month for pick up only, and $50/month which includes shipping and a bonus piece (there is a minimum three month subscription). We currently have subscribers in all parts of the U.S.—from Oakland to Brooklyn. Art in a Box allows subscribers to receive high quality works worth much more than the subscription cost, gives local artists national exposure, and helps to support the arts and artists in the Bay Area."