by Kirby Lindsay, posted 2 May 2011
With twenty stops registered for the May 6th Fremont First Friday Art Walk, which takes place from 6p – 9p, walkers will find plenty of art to experience as they wander among the wide variety of shops, restaurants, offices, a tasting room and a brewery that serve as venues.
Yet, for the artists and the venues, participating in the Art Walk is no figurative stroll through Fremont on a sunny (hopefully) spring evening.
A Word From The Artists
A well-known, professional visual artist, Kelly Lyles hasn’t displayed at First Friday. When asked why, she explained, “I have a new series [of works] that I only want to show in a gallery, at first,” and Fremont currently has very few traditional gallery spaces.
Lyles acknowledged, “I have a few friends that only want to show in coffee shops and restaurants,” due in part to fees and high commissions charged by galleries, contests and art shows. Besides, “certain work is more accessible for a coffee shop,” she said, and admitted that, “I sold a lot more pieces [shown] at a stock broker’s office than in some galleries.”
For displaying her works, Lyles explained that sometimes she gets a chance at a venue through word-of-mouth, “but 90% is grunt work.” She deliberately researches places she wants to show in, and are right for her work, and submits images of her work for consideration. “Each place is going to have its own aesthetic,” she explained, and she wants to show her work where it will be seen to its best advantage.
A Word From The Venues
The artists aren’t the only ones looking. The venues also hunt as well, for artists. Hub & Bespoke co-owner Juliette Delfs hangs art in her retail shop, specializing ‘fasionable-yet-functional’ clothing for bicyclists. For the space, Delfs would like bike themed art, or at least something “bike related.” For May, Delfs has oil paintings by Ann McBurney.
“I’ve been leaving artists up for the quarter,” she explained, to give the artist maximum exposure, and to limit the number of artists she must find. She has consulted with Melanie Masson, the organizer of the First Friday Art Walk. “Melanie is always on the hunt for me,” Delfs explained, gratefully, although as of the end of April, she didn’t have an artist lined up for the next quarter, in August.
Susan Petersen, of Urban Earth, also needs an artist for August. For increased foot traffic to her nursery (which sits slightly off the beaten path,) she changes out her art shown each month. She does have artists scheduled for May (collages by Katy Mercedes,) June and July – “and then, nothing…” She hopes to find art, “that is really plant related,” although she can define that broadly. “I’m getting more leads,” she said, “the word’s getting out, but I’m always looking.”
Peterson acknowledged that Masson just sent someone to her, and has been a big help in her search. “I’m starting to hear from people,” Petersen admitted, “I’m not scrambling.” Petersen opened the nursery last winter, and mused, “What I’d really like to have is locally-made garden art,” for the store, “but is that really appropriate?”
On the other end of the spectrum, Craig van den Bosch, who serves as curator for the Fremont Abbey Arts Center, has had little difficulty finding artists. He usually features 4 – 6 different artists during a show. Of course, being an artist, van den Bosch may have a slight advantage. Although, he explained, “What’s worked for me is talking to other artists, and asking one to recommend another.”
Both Sides, Working Together
As for his own art, Masson has van den Bosch among her recommendations, but he has yet to be contacted by a venue. He’s looked over the artists she recommends, and said, “there are some good artists there.” While he has found artists, he knows well the challenges of curating a show. “It’s very time consuming,” he admitted, to find the artist, hang the pieces, and set the commission.
Then, there is maintaining the space. The Abbey won’t be part of the May Art Walk as gallery track is installed there, to allow van den Bosch to make the art displays more permanent. His dream is to be able to hang the shows for a whole month, rather than just the one night of the Walk.
For both venues and artists, the Art Walk must be considered a labor of love – and a chance to offer the Walkers a different glimpse. Take a stroll this First Friday in Fremont, and see what happens when artists and venues come together. Not sure how to get started? Well, check out the Fremont First Friday website, and get Walking!
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©2011 Kirby Lindsay. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.