Ennyman's Territory: Local Art Seen: Studio 101 on Art for Earth Day and a Noteworthy New Idea for Art Buyers

THE WEATHER could not have been nicer for yesterday's 28th annual Gallery Hop here in the Twin Ports. Though there were fewer participating galleries this year, the red carpets were rolled out all around and it was a perfect day to leisurely make the rounds. A dozen galleries welcomed friends of the arts with open arms, or rather, doors. And treats. And warmth.

STUDIO 101

A number of people whom I spoke with yesterday did not know about Studio 101, so I thought it would make a good starting point here. The is derived from its location on Bob Dylan Way (Michigan Street at the bottom of First Avenue East). This loose collective of veteran painters has been renting this space for eight years. Their work was featured last year at the Duluth Art Institute where they invited other artists to join on Wednesdays to paint a live model in the Steffl Gallery.

The location of the space has a couple of nice features, one of them being large plate glass windows that allow for a generous amount of light to illuminate the out rooms. Because the group does figure painting on Wednesdays, there are interior spaces for more privacy.

The painters here include Dorothea Diver, Goran Hellekant, Mosswren (Constance Johnson), Cot LaFond, Dale Lucas and Larry Turbes. Lee Englund, who also paints with the group, spent the winter in Arizona and will be returning soon.

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While visiting Studio 101 yesterday several artists were in a discussion about art buying when all of a sudden a new idea emerged. It was like a revelation, an Aha!

Here is some backstory. I have many times over the years attempted to encourage people to buy paintings or pieces, in part because I want to see artists receive the financial remuneration they need to survive. My argument would go like this: "You can enjoy this painting today for a few minutes, or you can take it home and enjoy it for the rest of your life." I follow up by stating that on several occasions I've here people lament not having purchased a painting they saw when they were in Seattle or Albuquerque, wishing they had today what they briefly enjoyed in a gallery.

HERE'S THE NEW IDEA (Capitalized to underscore its importance). Sometimes price is the barrier that keeps people from making a purchase, so What If two or three friends went in together to buy a painting they all loved and then they time-shared the painting. Perhaps it is a $900 painting and three people want it. They can all pay $300, sign an agreement to each have it for four months of the year. Or perhaps it is a $4000 Leah Yellowbird painting and four people each pay a thousand dollars for the privilege of having it in their homes three months each year.

What do you think?

For what it's worth, here are some additional images from Studio 101.