Hello my fellow Artsy bookworms! This is going to be a quick Artsy Reads as I’m busy with freelance work this week ( yay! ). The Girl With The Gallery by Lyndsay Pollock, is a biography of early twentieth century New York gallerist Edith Gregor Halpert, who at just twenty-six years old founded the successful Downtown Gallery where she cultivated the careers of American modern artists like Arthur Dove, Stuart Davis, and Jacob Lawrence.
Reading almost like a novel, the biography follows Halpert’s life from her childhood in Russia to become wife and muse to artist Sam Halpert, to the founding of one of Greenwich Village’s first galleries, her art world rise and dogged devotion to the artists she represented.
What I found most intriguing about Halpert’s story was the many modern day gallery practices that she innovated in the late 1920s and 30s. Methods like creating a home-like gallery environment, selling furnishings alongside artwork, and creating a community atmosphere within the gallery walls, as well as diversifying her gallery offerings during the Depression by building a market for American Folk Art, just as many galleries now sell items such as fine crafts alongside paintings and sculpture.
If you’re intrigued by the early American modern art movement, the New York gallery world or just the running of a gallery in general, this will be a fascinating read for you. Though Ms. Halpert’s life took a tragic turn, her story is nonetheless riveting and proof that women were brokering power in the art world long before the Feminist Movement.
Top image by Artsy Forager, all other image sources linked above.
Hey you fellow Foragers! There are some incredible shows going on right now. Here are just a few of my recommendations for must-see museum and gallery shows this week!
Summer can be a slow time in the art world. Some galleries close altogether, reserving their resources for the busy Fall season, while others show off their best artists for tourists and travelers.
Here are a few shows happening right now, if you’re looking for something artsy to do over the holiday weekend!
One of the things I love most about the art world is the diversity– of people, styles, ages, eras. It’s amazing to not only see the work of new graduates and up & comers, but to look back at the artists who made the way for today’s success. This week’s round up of must-see museum and gallery shows includes work from recent MFA graduates, old-school Abstract Expressionists, modern figurative savants, and some abstract artists who just wanna have some fun.
Oh how I wish I could be in all these places! Someone needs to hurry up with that teleportation device. If you’re in any of these areas and able to see these incredible gallery shows, share your experience on Instagram & tag me @artsyforager with the hashtag #dontmissartsiness!
In this week’s round up of gallery shows and museum exhibitions, I am so bummed that I’m nowhere near any of these spots because each of these shows looks amazing!
Click through the gallery links above for more information about each show. If you check ‘em out, tag me ( @artsyforager ) on Instagram with the hashtag #dontmissartsiness! If you go I’ll be totally jealous!
You guys know I’m always searching for the best artsy finds for you. Well, in this new series of posts, I’ll be sharing the museums & gallery shows you need to see if you possibly can!
And there is a whole lot of yumminess going on in all four corners of the country!
east |The Way & The Wayfarers, group show featuring work by Jay Knapp, Joshua Hogan & Kuzana Ogg** at Westmoreland Museum of Art
Click through the gallery links above for more information about each show. If you check ‘em out, tag me ( @artsyforager ) on Instagram with the hashtag #dontmissartsiness!
**FYI– work by Kuzana Ogg is now available through The Trove! So even if you can’t see her show, you can still check out her gorgeous work and maybe make it your own!
This post contains affiliate links. As a Great.ly Tastemaker and curator of The Trove, I receive a small commission on each piece sold from The Trove boutique gallery.
Every weekend Mr. F and I stay at home ( in other words, no camping or backpacking on the agenda ), we say we’re going to have a relaxing, chill weekend. But lately, our weekends around home have been anything but slow and this weekend was no exception! After a yummy breakfast in Arcata Saturday morning, we attended the Sustainable Living Expo– gotta get some ideas for the artsy dream home we’re saving our pennies for!
I try to take advantage of our weekends in town to do something artsy and lucky for me, this weekend we were able to take in not only a few stops along the North Coast Open Studios tour, but this month’s ArtsAlive in Eureka.
In addition to Peggy Loudon’s studio ( check out her website, stunning ceramics! ), we also took a peek into the studios of Libby George, who was kind enough to give me some pastel tips, and mixed media artist and painter Natalie Craig.
After a little rest, we headed down to Old Town for Eureka’s monthly ArtsAlive event. We were able to hit a few studios and galleries before meeting up with one of Mr. F’s coworkers for a drink.
The work of both these artists intrigued me with their references to ancient cultures– Bhutanese for Goodman, Native American Haida for Skillie. To reference aboriginal culture and customs in modern interpretations give me hope that these old traditions won’t be forgotten. And this busy but artsy weekend won’t be far from my own memory for a long time yet! Next weekend– hoping to get some painting time in!
Oh Artsies, have I got a treat for you! Can you imagine traveling to a tropical locale solely for the purpose of meeting and discovering artists? Sounds like an exhilarating heaven to me! That’s exactly what arts writer Ellen Caldwell did and she will be guest foraging in a new Artsy Abroad column and sharing her discoveries with us! You can read more about Ellen here. Now let’s see some of the fruits of her Balinese artsy foraging!
The Lush Yayasan Bali Purnati grounds hosting the writer’s arts residency. Photo by Ellen C. Caldwell.
In February of 2014, I departed for Bali on a month-long arts writing residency, sponsored by the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. This residency included a month’s stay at the beautiful, lush grounds of Yayasan Bali Purnati – and when I arrived I could tell it would be magical.
My grant proposal laid out my goals of scouting local artists in the contemporary scene, interviewing them, and writing about them. I proposed to use my writing to make a small bridge between the art of LA (my hometown-with-my-heart) and Bali. When I found out I had won the grant, I was ecstatic until it dawned on me that I did not have a any real plan for finding artists there – at all.
Knowing from my experience with arts writing, whether here in LA or abroad on previous trips to Australia and Bali, though, I rest assured that I would find the artists, or that the artists would come to me. And as it happened, something right in the middle of those two potential outcomes occurred…
My first week there, I spent my days rising early to write – first just opening thoughts about traveling and leaving home and then the more arduous task of scouting artists to meet in my coming weeks. I decided to use a three-prong approach: email gallerists I found online, reach out to artists I liked individually via social media outlets like Instagram and Facebook, and ask friends of friends to put me in touch with people. Sounded like a great plan, right?
Flash to two weeks later, though, and I had one interview on the books. An emotion that lay somewhere between fear and frustration was starting to sneak up on me.
Thankfully, I met a couple of artists and one gallerist who ended up acting as artistic hubs for me, putting me in touch with other artists, and serving as the key (saviors) to my success in artsy foraging abroad.
Made Budhiana’s beautiful and airy studio in Denpasar. Photo by Ellen C. Caldwell.
First, I was introduced to artist Ketut Jaya Kaprus. He then introduced me to the famed Made Budhiana and talented Wayan Sunadi. I spent a day at Kaprus’ studio and then at Budhiana’s ethereal, light-filled barn-like studio, listening to classic rock, playing with puppies, and talking about art.
Ni Nyoman Sani’s studio space at her family’s Muja Art Studio. Photo by Ellen C. Caldwell.
Next I met the talented, gracious, and contagiously happy Ni Nyoman Sani of Seniwati Art Space. She introduced me to three more wonderful female artists including Komang Emy Agustriani, Ni Ketut Ratnasih, and the eminent Kamasan-style painter Mangku Muriati. Sani also showed me around her family’s art collective, Muja Art Studio. Here, three generations of family members work in their studio and gallery spaces to showcase their work, ranging from paintings to sculpture to carving.
Paintings by Ketut Teja Astawa and I Made Wiradana showcased at Tonyraka Art Gallery in Mas, Ubud. Photo by Ellen C. Caldwell.
And finally I met Tony Hartawan, owner of Tonyraka Art Gallery, who helped me to line up interviews with six artists represented in his gallery, including Ketut Teja Astawa, I Made Wiradana, and Wayan Suja. I also reconnected with painter Federico Tomasi whom I had met on my first trip to Bali, about 16 months prior.
Through this international foraging foray, I was able to explore artworks I would have never otherwise seen and get to know artists I would have never otherwise met. In a nutshell, it was an aesthetic experience of a lifetime.
Ketut Jaya Kaprus painting Caldwell’s portrait in his studio in Batubulan. Photo by Ellen C. Caldwell.
Federico Tomasi’s studio space and current projects. Photo by Ellen C. Caldwell
My next guest posts will more fully explore the art and studios of Ketut Jaya Kaprus and Made Budhiana, Ni Nyoman Sani and her family’s Muja Art Studio, and Federico Tomasi’s current projects – and I look forward to having all of you fellow artsy foragers along for the ride!
When we think of an art collector, our minds may wander to Rockefeller-types plunking down millions for Warhols at Christie’s. We ordinary folk rarely think of ourselves as art collectors. But if you’ve ever purchased even one piece of artwork, even just a print, you dear Artsy, are a collector! Of course, it’s possible to build a collection filled with beautiful and historically significant work, but wouldn’t it be more fun to put together an art collection that is meaningful just to you and your partner? Mr. F and I hope to do just that, so while reminding ourselves of these guidelines, thought I would share some tips with you!
1 | get to know your favorite artists personally Most artists these days interact with fans and collectors on social media. Getting to know the artist whether online or by visiting their studio can often turn work you like into work you love! Knowing more about the artist’s process and inspiration can foster a connection to the work that may not have been present upon first glance. Plus, a positive relationship or connection with the artist will make you more inclined to support their career financially.
Sometimes, we simply like what we like and it doesn’t go deeper than that. But often, we are drawn to a particular piece of work because of the emotions it stirs within us. Maybe it reminds us of a particular moment or memory or transports us to a favorite place. Work that reflects an important time or occasion creates emotional significance that just isn’t there when we buy a painting to match the couch..
3 | make artwork your vacation souvenir Forget all those t-shirts and caps that will be worn a few times and then forgotten. Visit a few galleries or artists’ studios while you’re traveling and buy a small piece of work that will be a lasting reminder of your travels. Most galleries and artists will ship work home for you if you’re concerned about fitting your new art into your suitcase. And every time you see that sculpture or painting, you can visit that place all over again.
4 | proudly display a loved one’s artwork Maybe your mom or grandmother took some painting classes and discovered a love for still lifes? Or kids are the most prolific artists in the world, take advantage of their creativity and display their work with the importance it deserves! Not only will it remind you of them and make you smile, it will show the artist how significant they are to you.
While of course, I’ll always advocate buying art whenever you can, realistically, we don’t always have the budget for the type of work we love. So perhaps while you’re saving up, stretch your own creative muscles a bit by playing artist for yourself! There are any number of DIY art projects all over Pinterest. Who knows, you may discover hidden artistic genius!
You guys, we are loving our new little town so much! Since we arrived, everyone’s been telling me how many artists there are here in Eureka and that we must check out the monthly art walk, ArtsAlive. It was a perfect, beautiful evening and it seemed like everyone in Humboldt County was in downtown Eureka, enjoying the spectacular weather and taking it all in.
I knew there were a few galleries I needed to check out but what I didn’t know was that so there were so many artists with studios downtown and a great many of them were open that night! I do so love a peek inside artists’ studios! After checking out the mesmerizing work of Isabelle Staehle at The Black Faun, we wandered through the studios & Hall Gallery at C Street. Large, high ceilinged, open beam studios with tons of light? Yes, please. Mr. F asked if I would like a studio like one of these.. uh yeah, let’s find a way to make that happen! Lots of people wandering through the halls, and a nice variety of work to be found, from abstract expressionist to folk art inspired to traditional landscapes. Truly a cornucopia of artsiness!
We also wandered through the studios at the Center for Insane Artists. How could we resist checking it out with a name like that? Alas, I’ve been unable to find any info for them online. But a handful of the studios were open, some interesting work to be found there, for sure!
My favorite stop was First Street Gallery, HSU’s non-profit, off campus art gallery. No cameras were allowed, but I HAD to share these shows with you, so I pulled images from their website. Currently, the exhibition space is broken up into two shows, one featuring the work of artist and Stanford University professor Gail Wight, on loan from Patricia Sweetow Gallery. Wight’s work is an elegant combination of beauty and science, her burned vellum drawings inspired by a 1948 pharmacological study of spiders and her composite digital prints, all drew my eye with their intricate simplicity.
The other half of the gallery was taken over by three North Coast artists, Seana Burden, Jeff Jordan, and Jesse Wiedel in their group exhibition, Laughter in Darkness. The works of these three artists combine traditional landscape and dream-like imagery often providing commentary on contemporary culture. I was especially drawn to Burden’s “Boob” paintings in which she creates a fantastical land in which all the subversive messages we are sent each day are much more blatant.
seana burden, jesse wiedel, and jeff jordan
Like most good art walks, we weren’t able to get to everything, but what we did see gave Mr. F and I lots to chat about over a glass of wine ( or 3! ) at the end of the night. I hope you’ll check out the websites of these artists and galleries– so much wonderful talent in this area. I feel so lucky to be here, even if for just a short while.
Gail Wight, Seana Burden, Jesse Wiedel and Jeff Jordan images via HSU website. All other images by Artsy Forager.
