Experience creative dining
Art in area restaurants a win-win for artists and restaurateurs.
Don’t be surprised these days to find the salmon cakes or beef filets at your favorite restaurant served up with a generous side helping of landscapes or portraits. Area artists and restaurant owners have found that joining forces is a winning situation for both.
Libby Rudolf, a local artist who’d been putting her work in gallery shows since her kids were in diapers in the 1990s, says her professional life changed dramatically in 2006 when she found a new vehicle for showing off and selling her paintings — area dining establishments.
For Rudolf it all began with her first solo show at the Emporium Wines & The Underdog Cafe in her home town of Yellow Springs. A show at the Winds Cafe followed. Since that time, she’s had exhibits at a number of other restaurants. Her work is currently on display through March 25 at Wheat Penny in Dayton.
“Having my work in a restaurant meant it was probably seen and appreciated — and purchased — by more people than having it in a bank lobby,” she says. “It widens the audience, and people who may not go into a museum or gallery can enjoy the art in a more casual atmosphere. It’s definitely working for me!”
The restaurant folks are just as pleased. Margaret Maddox, owner of Seasons Bistro & Grille in Springfield, says that from the time her restaurant opened nine years ago the plan was to keep everything on a seasonal rotation — including the food, the art and even the color of the napkins.
“We wanted to fully embrace the seasonal concept,” she says. “We love that part of living in Ohio – we get to experience all four seasons.” By the time a new season rolls around, she adds, the excitement builds among both staff and regular patrons in anticipation of the new art. “It’s just a fun way to keep things interesting for everyone.”
Like some other restaurants in our area, Maddox doesn’t take a commission from the sale of artwork. “We do ask the artists to give us one piece from the show that we then hang in our permanent collection on the north wall of the restaurant,” she says.
Lisa Wolters, owner of Yellow Springs Brewery, has featured local art since she and her husband first opened their taproom doors four years ago. “If someone on our staff sells a piece of art, that person receives half of the 20 percent commission that goes to the brewery,” she says.
In addition to paintings, she sometimes put up temporary shelving for a display. A case in point is the next show which opens March 6 and features the latest work from ceramicist Beth Holyoke. Her Art + Ale exhibit will feature a series of ceramic plates entitled “The Refugee Series,” inspired by the Syrian refugee crisis.
In addition to having postcards or artist brochures available to dining patrons, Maddox also hosts an opening artist reception for each new exhibit at Seasons. “We provide complimentary hors d’oeuvres and we invite anyone and everyone to come in and meet the artist and see his or her show,” says Maddox. “We always publicize the event on our webpage and social media. It’s a fun way for customers to meet the artists and for the artist’s friends and family to come in and share in the excitement of the show.”
Robine Wright, whose work is currently on display at Seasons, came up with the idea of