Editor's Letter June 2009
I was in Chicago over the weekend attending Art Chicago and NEXT 2009 art fair. I met up with ArtVoices’ Chicago writer Damien James, who gave me a crash course on the Chicago art scene. We did the art fairs and I introduced him to a few gallerists including Wendy from Conner Contemporary in DC, Nina Johnson from Gallery Diet in Miami and Todd Rosenbaum from The Hogar Collection in New York City, to name a few. I was pleasantly surprised to see the gallery directors alone—no staff, no buffers—getting down to the basics of representing their Artists. They were open to dialogue and making direct contact with the public. The art world is evolving right now—and in my opinion, cutting the fat that made it bloated and arrogant.
This unpredictable time of galleries closing due to the weak economy, collectors timid and unsure of the future, and art world professionals in positions of power doing whatever needs to be done to keep the status quo means a perfect opportunity for you to change the game! Get off your conceptualizing ass and go reinvent the wheel—because now more than ever they are willing to take a chance if it doesn’t cost them anything. This is your opportunity to be noticed because everyone is looking for the next work to excite the market.
In July 2009, ArtVoices will open up an alternative mixed media space in Chicago’s Pilsen Arts District. Chicago is one of the most beautiful, safe, friendly, 3-million-people-strong, sports-loving, and art-loving cities I have ever been to. I didn’t want to come back to New Orleans, but on the other hand, when I was catching my flight to Chicago I didn’t want to leave New Orleans.
So I decided to make them both my home. I’ll split my time between Chicago and New Orleans. In the new ArtVoices space I will again give Artists an extended platform to realize their vision and at the same time help nurture the Chicago art scene with an emerging artists group, solo exhibitions, art criticism, features and reviews.
Please look for the 2009 Emerging Artists Exhibition advert in this issue. This exhibition will be judged by my friend Willie Birch—one of the most important Artists alive. So take a few moments to read over the guidelines and send in your work, so you can help me help you get your work to the next level.
P.S. I want you all to do me a favor: I want to see you at the next major art fairs. Google art fairs and check out their past shows and the types of galleries and work they exhibit. Go to openings, buy or trade work with a fellow artists, and get organized. Do whatever you have to do to be present to be counted.
Best Regards,
Terrence Sanders, Editor & Publisher
