Tag Archives: galleries

Art Help & Info

June Artwalk Schedule

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From my exhibit "Face to Face" during Artwalk at Artists + Architects
From my exhibit "Face to Face" during Artwalk at Artists + Architects

Time has flown by so quickly, I almost forgot to post this month’s Artwalk schedule. Second Saturday Artwalk in downtown Lafayette, LA starts this weekend- June 12th. Some galleries are open as of 5 (though I think the official start time is 6pm) and will remain open until 8pm. And this is a free event!

Acadiana Center for the Arts– 101 W. Vermilion St. / 337-233-7060
Main Gallery: Through July 24, 2010- Southern Open 2010
Side Gallery: June 12 – July 2, 2010- Kent Hutslar Memorial
Vault Series: Through July 24, 2010- Pat Juneau

Cajun Spice– 535 Jefferson St / 337-232-3061
Anne Bulliard Crownover Glasswork & Mosaics

Cité des Arts– 109 Vine St. / 337-291-1122
West Coast Feelings Collection: Los Angeles to Lafayette 2010 works by DGeyrald

Galerie Eclaireuse– 535 Jefferson St. / 337-234-5492
Paintings by Steve Schneider, Dennis Sipiorski and Ruth Sipiorski

Gallery 549– 549 Jefferson St. / 337-593-0796
Frederic O. Daspit- New Sculpture

Gallery R (at The Russo Group)- 116 E. Congress St. / 337-769-1530
Lynn Eustace Sanders- “Collaborative Color”

Pottery Alley– 205 W. Vermilion St. / 337-267-4453
“The Spirit of Haiti”– steel drum art by Carlo Brutus

Sans Souci Gallery– 219 E. Vermilion St. / 337-266-7999
“Drawn to the Stage”- A Collection of Drawings by Elemore Morgan, Jr.

*Not part of Lafayette Artwalk, but as a reminder, I am currently showing in Columbia, LA at the Schepis Museum. My exhibit, “New Realm,” is up now through June 30th. Admission is free and the museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9-5pm. View photos from the opening at www.AmyGuidry.com

Art Help & Info

Collecting Art

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"Cuzco" by Frededric O. Daspit; wood with acrylic and iron oxide
"Cuzco" by Frededric O. Daspit; wood with acrylic and iron oxide

I recently purchased a wall sculpture by Fred Daspit and thought it would be nice to share some photos of a few pieces from my art collection. I spend a lot of time showing my work, meeting other artists, and obviously hanging out in galleries, so it’s no surprise that I’d get the collecting bug. It’s one thing to hang your own art in your home, but to have work from other artists in different styles and media is entirely another.

As I was taking photos, I started to consider why I purchased these particular works of art. Given the fact that I am an artist, I thought it might be interesting to consider collecting art from the buyer’s perspective. Obviously I enjoy the art in my collection and find it aesthetically pleasing, but clearly there’s more to it than that. So what drives one to buy art? I think this is something all artists, myself included, have asked ourselves at some point in time. I don’t know that there is any one answer, given there are different buying

Untitled by Tom Ladousa; ceramic
Untitled by Tom Ladousa; ceramic

“styles” out there. However, I do think there are a few common traits amongst buyers. As I said, I buy art because I like it and most people like the art they purchase (those that purchase art solely as an investment may not necessarily like the work).

"Ship" by Troy Dugas; vintage prints on wood panel
"Ship" by Troy Dugas; vintage prints on wood panel

As an artist, I also understand the value of art. I’m well-aware that it took a hell of a lot of time to create that masterpiece I’m about to buy, and it’s only fair that the artist is paid for their time and skill. I don’t give away my work, so I certainly don’t expect anyone else to.

Another factor is liking the artist. It’s not just about liking the work, but also liking the person behind the work. I have purchased from artists I never met, or met after the fact, but most works are by people I know and like. Those I don’t know personally have a good reputation amongst the art community, though.

Lastly, the fact that these artists are in the public eye on a regular basis serves as a great reminder that I should buy their work. And when I say public eye, I don’t necessarily mean they are featured in the news or received some big accolade. It could be their personal emails to me or a postcard invitation to a show. Anytime I see their name, it just reminds me of their work and the fact that I would like to own a piece.

Some people buy on impulse, some buy because it’s just a great deal, but I think it’s safe to say that all of us should get out there and meet and greet if we want to sell art. With that said, if you would like to see and learn more about my work, be sure to check out my website at www.AmyGuidry.com.

Art Help & Info

Second Saturday ArtWalk Schedule

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"Artist Amy Guidry with Gallery 549 Director Don LeBlanc"
"Artist Amy Guidry with Gallery 549 Director Don LeBlanc"

I think you should give the people what they want, and I have noticed as of late searches to my blog for info on the Second Saturday Artwalk in Lafayette, LA. So since I am a regular attendee and sometimes exhibiting artist of the ArtWalk, I thought I should provide a schedule for this month.

The April Artwalk is in conjunction with Festival International, so there are some special performances listed. Kind of short notice, but all of this will take place TOMORROW- April 10th.

6:30pm-8:30pm Recycled Cycles Trio Del Rio
6pm-8pm in front of Green Room Rhythm/Soul & Kabuki Kru with special guests Desert Shadows Belly dancers, DJ Dokda J, DJ Prima & DJ Andino
6pm-6:30pm & 7pm-8pm Jefferson St. Market Les Djembles (8 drummers playing West African Rhythms)
6:30pm-7pm Parc de Lafayette The Ryan School of Irish Dance
6pm Corner of Polk & Garfield on Marley’s side Lafayette High Arts Academy (street theater)
6pm-8pm in front of AcA For the Moment (Barbershop Quartet)
6pm-8pm Gallery Sans Souci Nouveau String Band
6pm-8pm Strolling along Jefferson St. Sweet Olive

Acadiana Center for the Arts– 101 W. Vermilion St. / 233-7060
Main Gallery: Through April 24, 2010; Susan Shaw: Moving Violations
Side Gallery: April 10 – 24, 2010; Festival Poster Artist: M. Craig “Whoojoo” McCullen & Bonnie Camos
Vault Series: Through April 24, 2010; Emily Wortman: Out Of The Rice Fields
Art House Circle Gallery: March 30 – April 10, 2010; LJ Alleman Student Showcase

Cajun Spice– 535 Jefferson St / 232-3061
Eclectic Chairs, Mosaics and More by Tanya Falgout April 10 through May 31

Cité des Arts– 109 Vine St. / 291-1122
Vestiges and Songs From a Room, two exhibits by Caroline Goodell

Galerie Eclaireuse– 535 Jefferson St. / 234-5492
Sue Boagni and Paul Schexneider

Gallery 549– 549 Jefferson St. / 593-0796
April Group Exhibition featuring works by over 20 local artists

Gallery R (at The Russo Group)– 116 E. Congress St. / 769-1530
Les Ailes: The Art of Reggie Michael Rodrigue

Pottery Alley– 205 W. Vermilion St. / 267-4453
Esprit du Fest– Jessica Odell Courville

Art Help & Info

There’s More to Hot Springs Than Just Water

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Downtown Historic Malco Theater, Central Ave, Hot Springs, AR

I just returned from a recent trip to Hot Springs, Arkansas which was host to the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival. I saw a great film about the Low Brow art scene called “New Brow: Contemporary Underground Art,” directed by Tanem Davidson. And though I didn’t see it at the festival, I did buy a DVD of “Automorphosis,” directed by Harrod Blank. Several “art cars” were driving about through the city (as you can see from my photos) as part of the promotion of “Automorphosis.”

(Obviously inspired by Piet Mondrian) Art Car promoting "Automorphosis"

I was also fortunate enough to run into legendary artist Ron English. Of course I can’t just publish his art on here, but you can check it out on his website. Mr. English was also in attendance at the film festival. I had a chance to talk with him about the Low Brow art movement and some of the questions that “New Brow” raised. For instance, the dichotomy of low brow vs. high brow art and its role in blue chip galleries. As Mr. English pointed out, what is called “Low Brow” today has much evolved from the original Low Brow artists, and has gained popularity among top collectors. All in all, I think that aside from collectors, it’s the artists that champion the work. Galleries may see a distinction between what is considered high brow or low brow art, but its the artists that generate the excitement over the work and add to its credibility.

For more information about the film festival, visit www.hsdff.org. The festival ended as of October 25th, but you can still read more about the films. And if you’d like to know more about my own artwork, visit www.AmyGuidry.com.

Yellow Submarine- The Beatles art car

Art Help & Info

How to Be an Art Star 2.0

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Recognize this blouse? Answer at www.AmyGuidry.comOkay, that may be misleading since this is not the second edition, but a second time around for this class. For those of you who are not familiar with my Art Marketing class from last fall, this is your opportunity to to take part. As part of Frederick l’Ecole des Arts in Arnaudville, LA, I will be teaching another Art Marketing and Self-Promotion course. The first class was quite a success and a great, interactive opportunity to get together with aritists and gallery owners. In addition to my course outline, we had a group session covering individual questions and sharing ideas.

So if you missed out the first time, or are new to this blog and will be in the area, please sign up for Art Marketing and Self-Promotion. The class will be May 2nd (a Saturday) from 10AM-12Noon. Of course we did stay late last time because people had lots of questions and ideas to share, but if you need to leave at noon, feel free to do so.

To give you an idea of what the class is about, here is a general course outline. Overview: Risk assessment; getting out of your comfort zone. Changing your mindset. Goal-setting. Portfolio Development. Gallery submissions and approaching galleries. Alternative exhibition opportunities and juried shows. Marketing Materials. Pricing. Sales. Some of the additional topics discussed included shipping work, Ebay, vanity galleries (just stay away- that’s a free tip you can get from me right now!), and what else, but blogging, of course.

Some of these are very basic principles, and some of it boils down to good old-fashioned common sense, but for many artists, their expertise is in their medium and not in marketing. Unfortunately marketing is not a course requirement when getting your art degree, and quite frankly, it’s just plain scary to people (not just artists!). In addition, to succeed at ANYthing requires goals, planning, and organization. All skills that most people don’t think of or skip when trying to succeed at anything. How many people do you know who blame things on bad luck or lack of luck? Or think the only way they can do what they truly love is if they “win the lottery?” I can think of many.

Okay, ready to sign up yet? Go to http://frederickarts.homestead.com/Classes.html to register for Art Marketing and Self-Promotion. Sign up early to ensure your spot in the class. And it doesn’t matter if you are in high school and planning on your future career as an artist or if you’ve been an artist all your life. If you want to improve your marketing skills, ask questions, or take your career to the next level, this is your opportunity. And meet some great people, too!

www.AmyGuidry.com