The range of most original art being made and sold in
America today is what is available in the hundreds of tent
shows around the country. Upon entering ARTNADO people
are struck by vibrancy, space, diversity, and quality. Art,
while personal, is suppose to speak to ones soul or spirit.
If you approach a 4’ x 6’ canvas of a realistic face and then realize that the artist
spent 6 months of their lives creating it with tiny color dots. One cannot not help but be taken back by the skill required to work on the close up detail while mindful of the gestalt of the piece from a distance. Instead of dim closet size enclosed individual areas there is light and openness highlighting the vibrancy of the colors, and the various hues being used are visible.
Curatorial skills are an art form in themselves. The greatest testimonies to this came at last years ARTNADO from other artists in attendance and visitors. To create an environment that maximizes corners and end-caps with small niches of artists is a radical departure from the current profit driven model where everyone looks the same and additional tents just keep being added to public streets.
These low cost venues are designed for profits, not to showcase art, let alone artists. It is evident from the high caliber of work exhibited that ARTNADO did not just sit back and advertise for artist. They actively walked art shows, co-op galleries, vanity galleries, exhibitions, art associations, and any venue displaying individual artist seeking out and talking to those of merit. All artists are inspired but not all are creative; we have sought those with both. Another difference a patron encounters is attitude. As we researched for over a year what patrons wanted, one of the answers was “approachable artists”. They are tired of the ones sitting on their chairs by their booths not engaging or worse, yet displaying a snobbish attitude. ARTNADO spent much effort in it's inaugural year trying to educate artists to this problem and will continue to do so.
These low cost venues are designed for profits, not to showcase art, let alone artists. It is evident from the high caliber of work exhibited that ARTNADO did not just sit back and advertise for artist. They actively walked art shows, co-op galleries, vanity galleries, exhibitions, art associations, and any venue displaying individual artist seeking out and talking to those of merit. All artists are inspired but not all are creative; we have sought those with both. Another difference a patron encounters is attitude. As we researched for over a year what patrons wanted, one of the answers was “approachable artists”. They are tired of the ones sitting on their chairs by their booths not engaging or worse, yet displaying a snobbish attitude. ARTNADO spent much effort in it's inaugural year trying to educate artists to this problem and will continue to do so.
