Summati
THE
n Weekly USPS Publication Number 16300
T h is C om mu n i t y N ewsp a p er is a pu bl ica t ion of E sca m bia / S a n ta Rosa B a r Assoc ia t ion
Section A, Page 1
Vol. 17, No. 8
Visit The Summation Weekly Online: www.summationweekly.com
March 1, 2017
1 Section, 12 Pages
Alexis Leader
Director and Curator, Leader Art Consultants LLC Alexis Leader launched her art consulting company, Leader Art Consultants, last winter and has jumped into the downtown art scene headfirst, holding pop-up exhibits during Gallery Night and welcoming the public into her curated temporary show spaces. The pop-up shows allow the community to experience art in public and open spaces, as opposed to the traditional gallery or museum settings. Leader will host a pop-up show from March 17-25, to benefit First City Art Center. The show is entitled “Collect,” and features diverse collections of work from three local artists.
By Hana Frenette
This is our second PopUp Gallery. Our first was a 3-day PopUp that opened downtown during the December Gallery Night at One51Main, sponsored by Beck Partners.
Why did you choose to donate the benefits to First City Art Center? Do you plan to donate to other art programs and organizations in the future or is this a special instance?
Traditionally we look for business owners within the community who support the arts and have access to an unused commercial space. It has been exciting to transform nontraditional spaces into temporary galleries. We have been incredibly fortunate to work previously with Justin Beck of Beck Partners and currently with Bobby Switzer of One Palafox Place. Anyone interested in becoming a gallery sponsor by lending temporary space is encouraged to contact Director, Alexis Leader at which is exciting. We are constantly alexis@leaderfineart.com for infor- evolving our temporary galleries and mation and 2017 sponsorship details. receptions to see what connects and what doesn’t. For example, the March Do these shows need to be handled differently as event will be open to the public for far as set up or anything nine days (March 17-25). This will be the longest we have held a space. goes, because they are not up for long periods of This opening reception will also mark our first time partnering with time? The nature of a PopUp is fast-paced First City Art Center. The center will in comparison to a traditional gallery be on-hand throughout the evening of the opening reception performing live glass blowing demonstrations in front of the gallery entrance.
Can you tell me a little bit about the work of each of the artists who are participating?
The “Collect” exhibition layout is inspired by national fairs such as, Art Miami and the Affordable Art Fair and aims to appeal to collectors and art enthusiasts. The artists selected represent LACs network of Gulf Coast artists and range in media from painting, sculpture, glass, photography and print. Among the many works included are paintings by Ursula Mahlar, Steve Wagner and Pat Regan, original prints and relief sculptures by Michael Boles, glass by Joe Hobbs and photography by Vivian Spencer. The PopUp provides a relaxed environment for budding and seasoned collectors to discover and acquire a variety of work created by emerging and established regional artists. The majority of all featured artists will be in attendance at the opening reception enabling collectors to make real connections with the artists. Unlike traditional gallery shows the artwork within “Collect” will be available for immediate purchase. Sold works will be replaced with new work so that the exhibit continues to evolve throughout the course of the PopUp.
Michael Boles, “Helical Angel”, aluminum, copper, pvc, acrylic, hemitite, 50x64x2, contact LAC for details or museum exhibition. I think that is what lends the exhibits their energy and appeal. It’s temporary. You can’t see one of our ads or postcards and think, “That looks fantastic. I’ll stop by sometime later this month to check it out.” We won’t be there. Our main office is located on Garden Street but it is not an art gallery. We operate out of a traditional office setting because the bulk of our consulting work is done on-site at offices, homes and artist studios. I love the concept of temporary galleries because it offers clients and new collectors the rare chance of seeing multiple works by LAC artists in person.
What do you like most about creating and installing popup shows like this one?
How did you go about selecting the location for this popup shop and As this is only our second PopUp what are some of the we are still in the experimental stage, criteria you look for when
How can people find out more about future popup shops and keep up with the latest news from Art Consultants LLC?
We encourage everyone to visit our website at leaderfineart.com for details and follow us on Instagram and Facebook@leaderartconsultants. While you are online sign up for our mailing list to receive monthly e-newsletters, special offers and featured artist or exhibition-related news.
Ursula Mahlar, “Chartreuse Skies”, acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas, 60x30, contact LAC for details
I’ve spent my career working and volunteering at nonprofit organizations and museums. I’ve learned firsthand the impact even the simplest gesture, such as a donation or marketing opportunity, can create. Working with arts-based nonprofits in the area is something that I have been passionate about from the start of LAC. My hope in partnering with First City Art Center for this event is to showcase the organization and its range of programming that they offer the community. The value of Pensacola having a working art center that can inspire and teach everything from glass and pottery to the visual arts is indescribable. Its one of the many reasons I am proud to serve on their board of directors and support this organization.
planning one of these shows?
photo by Guy Stevens
Is this the first popup show you’ve hosted? If not, what others have you hosted recently?