After being snubbed by the curators / art politics of The Venice “Art Walk” and Auctions earlier this year, a consortium of Venice based art studios, artists and galleries banded together to form the inaugural Venice “ArtBlock”, which was held on May 19th, the same day as the Venice Art Walk.
Crazy Venice art politics aside, the “ArtBlock” organization is back with a standalone event of their own, which will be held tomorrow from 12-5. The ArtBlock is free to the public.
From the organizers:
After a highly successful launch in May, a group of Venice artists are expanding their Venice ArtBlock Open Studios event to include over 45 artists and special exhibits on Sunday, October 13, 2013, from 12-5 centered at Fourth Street and Sunset Avenue.
ArtBlock is an artist run coalition which was created after the Open Studio Tour was eliminated from the traditional route of the annual Venice Art Walk and Auctions. ArtBlock aspires to preserve and expand access to the arts in Venice through the Open Studio tour by giving free, public access to established studios and to many new emerging artist’s spaces tucked away throughout the neighborhood.
“This is a long overdue program for all Venice artists to be able to expose their work to our community, to meet each other, and create a more intimate community for all Venice artists.” Emily Winters, Co-founder, Venice Arts Council.
It is a unique opportunity to experience local artists creative environments and personal work, allowing the public to see art where it’s made, and to meet and talk to the artists in an informal setting, developing relationships and discovering great local art.
Venice is a city that has been known for it’s strong support of its artists.
As Sandy Bleifer of the ArtBlock, says, “Venice has always been such a community with its high tolerance for diversity of origins, ethnicity, ideology, and expressions.Most communities are not this way.”
This event creates a direct opportunity to solidify, expand, and experience the arts in a way that few other venues can offer. “It’s amazing how creatives are tucked away in all the nooks and crannies of Venice, invisible to the naked eye…..Come discover the hidden Venice….” says Pamela Weir-Quiton.
The October 13 Venice ArtBlock promises to be an inspiring day. Flags will mark the participating studios and plans are being made for food and drinks, parking for the event, as well maps and transportation between blocks of studios. Come on out!
Participating artists and galleries include Larry Albright, Erik Alos, William Attaway, Akua Auset, Gert Basson, Alberto Bevacqua, Sandy Bleifer, Jim Budman, Kay Brown, Curio, Sarah Danays, Lynne-Marie Eatwell, Mary Beth Fama, Phillip Folsom, Helen K Garber, John Grauman, Kenny Harris, Juan Carlos Munoz Hernandez, Melissa Herrington, Emily Van Horn, Amy Kaps, Ermir Karma, Martin Katon, Sue Keane, Juri Koll, Francisco Letelier, Liz Marx, Moyo, John Mooney, Jules Muck, Don Newton, Judy Nimtz, Elizabeth Orleans, Gary Palmer, Rohitash Rao, Mark Satterlee, Kate Wolfgang Savage, Eric Schwabel, Bisco Smith, Natasa Prosenc Stearns, Selena Sounders, Emily Van Horn, Caroline Vidal, Olivia Ward, Lin Werner, Olivia Ward, Sarah Bay Williams, Jaclyn Wiseman, Ireland Wisdom, Norton Wisdom, Maria Greenshields-Ziman and Ralph Ziman.
