Magn°fico is taking a chance with UNM art students during this year's Artscrawl.
Emerging artists will sell their work alongside established artists in the Downtown gallery in a show called "Art Market: An Exhibit of Works for Sale." Tonight, Magn°fico will begin selling the work of over 40 local artists, including UNM's Allison Carey, Naomi Shersty, Sherlock Terry, John Rise, Michael Sonnichsen and professor Patrick Nagatani.
The gallery will hold an opening reception for the show during this month's Artscrawl tomorrow. All Downtown galleries open their doors for this self-guided tour put together by the Albuquerque Art Business Association.
"I was really uncomfortable with just having an art sale and so I thought it was important to create a dialogue with the exhibit," said Melody Mock, director of exhibits and programs at Magn°fico.
This dialogue was created with questions for each artist about how they fit into Albuquerque's art market, what makes them feel successful as an artist, what gives them the most satisfaction about being an artist and how they make a living. The answers are posted next to the artists' work.
Carey's response evaluated the measurements of success.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
"The art market is a competitive place," she wrote. "With so many artists creating wonderful work, it amazes me that anyone can make a living solely from their art."
Carey is a graduate student who constructs sculptures and then takes photographs of them. She stated that money for equipment and supplies for future projects is definitely a factor to consider when selling work.
"There are many more artists than collectors, which means that most artists make work because they need to and hope for sales to help cover their expenses," she wrote. "For this reason I gauge my success not on sales but on the work I make. If I can get my visions out of my head and onto paper, I am successful."
Mock said working with the students as opposed to established artists is a different, but good experience.
"The students were happy to be included in a show with established artists," she said. "The students seemed a little more eager, which is good."
The only real difference Mock noticed between the professionals and the students was that the students weren't sure how to price their work, which wasn't a problem. Although they all priced their work for less money than the other artists, they will still be selling pieces anywhere from $65 to $1000.
"As a young artist in Albuquerque, there are numerous opportunities to show work; however, it's tough to sell it," stated Terry, a graduate painting student, in his written response. "There are few commercial galleries that take chances on emerging artists and the public is reluctant to purchase work from alternative spaces."
Shersty, a graduate student in photography, had some of the same experiences with a tough market because she often deals with video installations in her work.
"Fortunately, there is a place for the photograph in the art market," she wrote.ˇ "I view selling less as a monetary profit, although it certainly helps, and more as an opportunity to continuously share ideas with the purchaser and future viewers."
Beyond "Art Market," Magn°fico will be offering two workshops. On Dec. 9, four artists will present a panel discussion on surviving in the arts. On Dec. 16, Magn°fico will offer a seminar for young art collectors to teach the inexperienced how to buy art.
"A lot of people are into art but they don't know how to go about buying it," Mock said.
The What, When and Where
What: 'Art Market' Preview Sale
When: Tonight
Price: $10
Where: Magn°fico Gallery
Tickets and info: 242-8244
www.magnifico.com
