“While you’re up, get me a beer!” — Yes, there are myriad things I’ll never post at Central Illinois Visual Artist Gallery pages, but I want to share visual-arts-related thoughts with readers who have never attended a gallery reception. In 2000, I had attended one, and that was in Decatur for Dave Bishop, a former compatriot.
If you’re not washing your hair or attending a Republican witch burning Saturday night, please accept this blogger’s invitation to attend either or both gallery receptions coming up June 30, from 5:30 to 7:30. One is at Springfield Art Association Gallery, 700 N. Fourth. That’s the “Old Edwards Place,” the oldest home still standing on its original foundation in Springfield. It’s worth a visit on a non-reception day just to get the guided tour. They are pros there, and they know their history. SAA’s reception is for their new exhibit 1830 (degrees) F; Contemporary Expressions in Clay, featuring the work of several well-known local area practitioners. The other reception is in the H.D.Smith Gallery hosted by Prairie Art Alliance in the Hoogland Center, just south of Captol on Sixth Street. It features paintings by E. Vern Taylor and Sheri Ramsey, plus several other PAA members. Be sure to take the elevator to the third floor to visit the simultaneous reception hosted by Sangamon Watercolor Society. They’re all good folks.
Receptions are THE TIME to purchase art in Springfield. Every painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramic you encounter at the Saturday night events have been “juried” into the exhibitions. That means that a panel of artists has reviewed slides of art submitted by their creators and approved each for display in the slated showing. This is a major positive factor for the neophyte potential purchaser. Some bodies (the jury) thought enough of what you encounter to vote the creations in. What really matters is how each creation “speaks” to you. As in life, comedy, drama and everything in between can be found on walls and pedistals. At the receptions, chances are good you can meet the artist who created the painting that appeals to you. Ask at the reception desk at PAA and ask the greeter at the SAA event. Word travels fast when the sweet smell of a potential sale is in the air. Ask the artist about the painting that speaks to you; why it was created; what other artists he or she likes. It’s amazing how many red dots appear on frames by the end of these gatherings. The dots indicate “SOLD.”
Don’t let what you may have heard about art prices scare you. Many creations sell for less than $300. You’ll be surprised.
Consider the fading “whatever” in a frame in your upstairs hallway. How much it “talk” to you? How often are your eyes drawn to it? Have you tried to “read” what’s on your walls and gazed deeper than the obvious?
At the receptions Saturday night, look for textures and colors you’ve not seen.there before. Does the reflected light of that painting by E. Vern Taylor (an almost architect and all around likable hummin’ bean) make you think of something that has not occurred to you until that magic moment? Can you believe what Sheri Ramsey does with the same kind of paint your daughter dabbled in during fourth grade art class? What kind of signature is that in the lower right corner? Is that the mark of a proud artist or a tentative early smudge where the N A M E should be? Should that ceramic gem be in a New York museum? Yes? Why not take it home to your office study or dining room instead? These are creations by real people from Springfield; not copyists in poorly ventilated sweat shops in Peru and sold by the gross to Sears and Roebuck mass retail art buyers These creations are from people you almost bump into at the supermarket.
And of course there’s wine and hors de oevres. Some people call them snacks; Some call them dinner. Whatever you call it, the tasteful adjunct is fun and “full filling.”
Besides taking new art home with you, there’s the pleasure of meeting people who not only share similar visions with you; they transfer their vision to canvas, fabric and clay. You might be inspired to evolve from TV aficionado to aficionado of Garry Groves, Jim Edwards, Sonia Lang, Katherine Pauley, Roland Folse or Jerry Josserand.
MOCK YOUR COLANDER and plan to attend at least one of these events. If you see me, approach me and mention this blog posting, I will GIVE you one of my books of poetry, which I will have in the car, waiting for your encounter. Expand your mind and confuse your friends and family. Support these events and the talented artists and organizations which make them happen!
Live long . . . . and proper.
Job … common. Most art (unless the canvas measures around 4″x4″) is WAY over $300. We went to the Old State Capitol Art Fair again this year and, honestly, it will be the last time I go. I don’t believe there will ever be a time in my life where I have $3,000 to spend on something that will hang on my wall. There was nothing I was interested in that was even under $500.
Being creative, I love art more than most people can imagine. Art is beautiful … art enriches the mind and moves the soul. Art, however, costs about as much as a brake job at Meinke and most families need new brakes much more than they need original artwork. Sad - but true.
ThirtyWhat, thanks for reading and commenting! The Old Cap Art Fair is a terrific event in its own right. I was invited to recite poetry from their stage some years ago, and though I enjoy sisits since, it’s not always at the top of my weekend “things to do” and I’ve missed a few. It is a different “animal” compared with SAA and PAA. There’s many sullen faces at the Old Cap; never at SAA and PAA. I think you will find the prices are not as stratospheric either. These folks don’t have to pay for mileage.
I hope you give Saturday night a go and let us (H&Q readers) know what you think.
Job,
I am married to a landscape artist and I can identify with both sides of the viewpoint here. But really, there are so many new art venues out there that practically everyone can afford some kind of original artwork on the market. I hope that ThirtyWhat will continue to look for the pieces she is looking for. Once purchased, many art forms gain personal value that far exceed the mere monetary inconveniences that we dreamed were holding us back.
Keep an open mind with art, is all I can say.
PS: Job,
Also, Job, I forgot to mention this, but many people forget what they pay for such recreational items as country club memberships and sports vehicles, which cost in the thousands, but regard art as a premium expense. From a financial point of view, most art work will gain in value, as opposed to the declining value of used sports equipment or expired memberships. Some people would complain about a $500 oil painting, but would also gladly hand over that same amount plus some for a weekend of joys at a theme park. If one compares values, art is still a bargain in this world.
Robert, thanks for two insightful postings. I want EVERY legal citizen of the United States residing in or near Springfield to make a living, but I wish instead of going to Target or Sears Roebuck — or Goodwill Industries for something to hang on a wall, people would visit the local not-for-profit galleries first and the MANY local galleries and frame shops after that. It’s probably true that speculating in local art increasing in dollar value is a loosing line of work, as you said, the personal value of local art is likely to increase over the years. Vivian Eveloff is a case in point. Some years ago she had a fab showing at PAA, and I had the pleasure of meeting the fascinating woman who was the wife of my doctor when I was a child. Her originals were not for sale, but prints of her creations are. The connection from my delight in encountering her and the history with her hus has echoed warmly over the years. Kate Lindsay, mother of Vachel Lindsay was a talented painter whose art is a part of the Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site. I don’t care much for Vachel’s drawings and paintings, but consider how nifty it would be to have a Katherine Lindsay original, or for your family to own a painting by your talented wife!
I must admit that I have never been to an SAA or PAA event. Many (many) years ago, I was big into original art and made it a point of going to different galleries and shows. But life moves on … we take on the responsibility of our families and children. And furnaces, roofs, and windows need attention from time to time.
We don’t own an ATV … and I don’t have a membership in a club. I don’t play golf so I don’t own clubs. Don’t pay a pool boy because … well … there is no pool. If I’d had the money, I could’ve come home from the Old State Capitol Art Fair with something for every room in our home. There were many pieces that really moved me. Unfortunately, for our budget, the prices were just astronomical.
I’ll have to check out the Springfield Art Association sometime though, Job … perhaps I’ve let the Old State Capitol Art Fair turn me off of something I’ve loved for years.
Thanks for posting, ThirtyWhat!
Your welcome perspective, well shared has inspired another posting re art. Look for it at H&Q Thursday.