Artists struggling to find a place to display their creations need not despair, there are plenty of alternative solutions out there.
Earlier this year, the astronomical rent for downtown gallery spaces forced a group of Centretown’s emerging artists to look for cheaper venues that were willing to feature their work. This prompted the appearance of a pop-up gallery.
But transforming vacant storefronts and other non-traditional spaces like Pressed — the sandwich bar and coffeehouse on Gladstone Avenue — into DIY galleries shouldn’t be the only solution.
Instead of single-mindedly hunting for brick and mortar buildings or outdoor canvases to showcase their work, artists should also expand their use of the Internet beyond searching for inspiration and join the cyber-revolution to exhibit their creations.
With social media tools and a multitude of potential display platforms, artists have a number of inexpensive ways to continuously expose (and market) their talents and connect with audiences (and buyers) far and near.
Painter Valorie Preston, whose work has been featured at several Centretown locations, saw her sales spike after opening a virtual gallery nearly 17 years ago.
Once, an American buyer purchased a painting from her website after searching for art inspired by the poet T.S. Eliot.
If more creators begin bringing in the bucks from online marketing, then perhaps the cliché of artists slaving over their masterpieces for peanuts will become a thing of the past.
With their own virtual showrooms, artists who haven’t been to a prestigious art school or are lacking stellar resumes brimming with artistic achievements need not sweat over finding a place that will take them seriously.
The World Wide Web doesn’t share the exclusive attitude or sky-high fees of certain highbrow exhibition spaces. The price of entry is largely the possession of a computer and access to a network connection.
Even the days of having to pay for an expensive domain name have passed.
In just a few quick keystrokes, artists can connect with the world through a plethora of free social platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Flickr.
Regardless of a person’s cultural or ethnic background, political views or sexual orientation, the web is a sanctuary for the creative work of all. Any prejudicial attacks or defamatory comments can easily be blocked with a few simple clicks.
Virtual galleries give artists from all across the multicultural mosaic — and across the political spectrum — a safe, infinitely accessible space to show and promote their own work.
So creators, it’s time to think outside the frame and sharpen those digital skills. The virtual world is the ideal place for an art gallery where the doors are open to all.