Steven Read Goes Crowdsourcing for "Wooded Folk" Show

According to Wikipedia, the word "crowdsourcing" is a relatively new word, coined in 2006 to describe the practice of obtaining services, ideas or funds from a large group of people, usually from the larger online community. In recent years I've seen all kinds of Kickstarter campaigns emerge, seeking funds for making movies, games and other projects. Many of these fundseekers are raising millions of dollars in pledges.

This week a more modest request fell into my inbox and I thought I'd pass it along.

One of the most exciting student art shows in recent years was the ten man show that took place in the former European Bakery space, May 2011. Five of these young art students moved on after graduation, but five others remained. Four of these, among them Steven L. Read, banded together with Richard Hansen, founder of the DuSu Film Festival, to form the PRØVE Gallery at another abandoned space in the Sons of Norway Building.

In the following year Read was able to secure a show in the John Steffl Gallery at the Duluth Art Institute which he titled (un)natural reactions. His exhibition there was a cross between minimalist sculpture and his reactions to the North Shore.

Preparing for another show.

Read left the area after one year with the PRØVE to move to Pennsylvania. In an attempt to fund his March show titled Wooded Folk, he is reaching back to his former circles. According to Read, " Being raised on a farm and spending time in the woods of Minnesota has allowed me to have a very personal connection to nature. I want to help people see that there are ways to connect to nature without having to build their own version of Thoreau’s cabin. With your help, I will be able to obtain the materials needed to give each piece of Wooded Folk the best capability to express these emotions and ideas without compromising on materials or methods."

One of the features of this campaign is his creative way of rewarding those who contribute... by giving back some of his own creative output, from decals to limited edition reproductions and more. It made me think of Elliot Landy's Kickstarter campaign designed to fund the production of a book of photos from that classic period when Dylan was in seclusion making music with what became known as The Band in the House at Big Pink. People who contribute various amounts are rewarded with everything from signed photos to posters and/or copies of the book.

Learn more about Steven Read's campaign. Help an emerging artist who continues to demonstrate innovation and initiative.

Meantime, hope to see you at one of tonight's art openings. The weather has indeed turned.

(un)natural reactions at the DAI