Editor's Letter October 2009
I want to clear up a few misconceptions about my agenda with ArtVoices magazine. First, I am not afraid to tell the truth and I have no boundaries. I really don’t care about the so-called powers-that-be, and I make my disdain for them and their elitism apparent in my Editors Letters. Having no formal education and being African American, I’ve had to create my own opportunities my entire life. Art is just one of my talents, but for many of you reading this letter, producing Art is the one true thing that matters most in your lives, and I will stay committed to your vision for as long as this publication lives and kicks.
I lead by example and I am a man of my word; that will never change. ArtVoices creates a platform for real artists, gallerist, curators, critics and museum directors who are pioneers, and who nurture their communities, their Artists. If you are offended by my words in the last Editors Letter, then I’m talking about you. You’re an unscrupulous agitator at best, motivated by greed and versed in deception. You have lost the passion you first had when you started your art career, and now you’re just a tool going through the motions and painting by the numbers, devoid of conviction. Like an unloved child, your hunger is fueled by jealousy, your insolence is justified by ego. I think your business practices are unethical and unnerving. I don’t write about you or your exhibitions because I think you’re shallow, decorative, and boring. Wholly secondary. Entirely static. How much money you have doesn’t impress me, and your schoolyard antics are trivial, to say the least. No matter how hard you try, you are always going to be ten years behind the current climate.
What follows is my list of the REAL Contemporary Art Movement in New Orleans, which, in retrospect, will be held in the highest regard for their contributions Post-Katrina. Please support their cause and sustain their vision, because without financial support they will wither, and we will be forced to consume decorative art and sip wine with the posers.
I was not paid to list any of the galleries below, and I consider such accusations harmful, a weak attempt by my enemies to downplay the legitimacy of ArtVoices. They want to maintain the status quo and keep local and international collectors from making more worthwhile investments. They want to keep you afraid to patronize the Artists in the St. Claude Arts District because it’s dangerous. This is how they keep us separated, and that is why I started the New Orleans Art Tours: to defeat this misconception. The St. Claude movement and a few galleries in the Quarter and Magazine street are pivotal to New Orleans becoming a relevant Contemporary Art destination, 365 days a year.
Magazine Street Arts District: Ken Capone of Coup D’ Oeil gallery, New Orleans Academy of Fine Art, and the Sibley Gallery are leading the movement on Magazine Street. Everything else on Magazine Street is either decorative or a pale imitation of something greater.
Julia Street Arts District: Studio 527 (October will be their last month; Robert Tannen and Morgan did a great job with the space and had a good run. Please support their efforts in the future when they find a new space for Studio Colton.) George Schmidt Studio and the new GSL ArtProjects. Also noted are Beca Gallery, Soren Christensen, LeMeiux Gallery Bienvenu and Jonathan Ferrara.
St. Claude Arts District : Homespace, because I’m curating for them again. The Front, hands-down the most impressive intellectual artist co-op on St. Claude, and there shouldn’t be any excuse not to support these artists who are championing the art scene in St. Claude. Solid Air Gallery is the anchor, and they going against the grain by offering more representational and classical imagery. Also noted are Barristers, Good Children and Antenna.
French Quarter Arts District: Mia Kaplan’s AMMO gallery is the best gallery in the French Quarter. She is fearless, the real deal. I would like to see her as a candidate when Dan Cameron decides to retire and select Artists for Prospect 4 or 5! Galerie Gigi because Dian is a beautiful patron of the Arts and wants to continuously provide emerging local artists with opportunities to get their work seen in a high traffic environment. Also noted is Taylor Bercier.
Best Regards,
Terrence Sanders, Editor & Publisher
*The St. Claude Arts District has an Art Walk the 2nd Saturday of every month. I will start running an Art Tour in support of this important arts district to help even out the playing field. Please call to make a reservation and if you mention this Editors Letter I will take 50% off the normal rate.
