Thursday, I hung up my abstract art exhibit at Alexandrian Public Library. It’s been a while since I’ve exhibited there. They have such a nice exhibit hall and I’m glad to have the last week of September and the entire month of October to exhibit my work.
I’m not sure how it is for many other artists, but my local art friends have noticed a decline in art sales this year. Probably the economy, inflation and it being an election year. Not to mention housing prices are downright shocking. *sigh*
In contrast, I do see an unreasonable amount of restaurants still going up or new banks being built. Hmmm… I listened to a podcast yesterday that talked about the artist and how we fit into the economic society. How not long ago, cities were trying to attract artists to their towns because it’s known that with arts in the community, that draws more people that want to live there – art-driven urban revitalization.
Priced out of town?
What’s ironic is what usually happens after the artists show up and make the place desirable. The rent starts out low for studio space to draw the artists in. But then, people start moving to the town because of the lively art scene and then housing prices go up. Effectively pricing the artists (and the original occupants) out of the very community they helped beautify and re-build. Essentially gentrification.
Now it seems that the days of attracting artists have ended and the cities, instead of looking to draw artists, they are now attracting restaurants, high end condo developers, etc.. The podcast guest was a writer, William Deresiewicz, author of The Death of the Artist: How Creators are Struggling to Survive in the Age of Billionaires and Big Tech. In the episode, he made a good point that after a good meal with fine wine, it was actually gone the next day. Whereas art on the other hand can be passed down for generations. Nothing that us artists haven’t always known of course, but it’s nice to hear someone else say it.
If you’re interested in the podcast, here’s the link. It was Alyson Stanfield’s “The Art Biz” episode 205 – The Internet Might Be Ruining Artists’ Livelihoods with William Deresiewicz.
I listen to several different podcasts having to do with art, the art business and a variety of other subjects. Living in the country, quite a ways from the places I need to go, gives me plenty of time to listen.
If you’re local to me, I’d love to hear if you had a chance to stop and see my abstract art exhibit.
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Learn more about me on the ‘About’ page under the additional links menu. I’m an artist – a painter mostly and an avid gardener. I paint a variety of subjects including birds, koi fish, my gardens, ponds and flowers as well as anything having to do with nature especially trees and tropical scenes. I also enjoy painting abstracts and have started created more and more of them. My most favorite thing to try to achieve in my painting is is mystery and telling mystical stories.
If you would like to keep up with what I’m doing, I have a newsletter e-mailed about once a month that gives you special status for invitations, birthday greeting and more. I’d love for you to add your email to my Friends and Collectors list!
Wow!!! That looks great. You’re right too! Prices seem to be going up for everything. I truly wish that I could come in person but I love looking at art so thanks for sharing yours!
Hi Angela! It’s so great to hear from you, thanks so much for commenting. I’m so happy you enjoyed seeing my exhibit.
I took a look at your blog and I wanted to share with everyone that you have one so they’ll check you out. It seems artist blogs are hard to come by these days.
It looks as though you were affected by the Hurricane Helene some, so I’m glad you’re safe now and I hope there wasn’t too much damage. Hopefully Hurricane Milton isn’t affecting you either. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you return!