Art Plus provides a space to share
Art Plus Gallery, a nonprofit cooperative of 25 artists in West Reading, has broadened its mission in these times of quarantine and social distancing.
A new web-only exhibition at artplusgallerypa.com features works by anybody who would like to submit, from anywhere in the world where they happen to be spending their coronavirus quarantine.
Called “Artists in Residences 2020,” the virtual gallery went live last week, and it was quickly populated with about 20 images — many from local artists, but others from artists living as far away as Philadelphia and Virginia.
The idea behind the exhibition is for artists to be able to show off what they’ve been creating since the quarantine began in March.
“There are no costs, no commissions,” said Russell Slocum, the gallery co-director. “Artists who want to offer their pieces for sale can add contact info and conduct transactions directly, but the piece doesn’t even have to be for sale. We’re just doing what we can to keep art and artists everywhere alive and well.”
Slocum, a plein-air artist who can often be found painting scenes of Wyomissing Park, near his home, said the online gallery is in keeping with the coop’s mission to promote art appreciation and participation.
He said the gallery website has always served as an outlet for co-op members to share their work, but many other artists have been cut off from their audiences due to the quarantine.
“There are a lot of artists out there who don’t have that avenue, that luxury,” he said. “Many of them use Instagram and Facebook to get work out, but that’s fleeting by nature. ... We thought, everybody’s in the same boat, and we have the knowledge and ability and space on our website, let’s just open up an exhibit for every artist and invite them to put up one piece a week. As long as we’re all cooped up, at least this gets out.”
Among the exhibitors are Steve Myles of Fairfax, Va., an acquaintance of Slocum’s since they went to grade school together, who submitted an 11by-14 acrylic on canvas called “Oops” that he’s selling for $250.
Trudy Moore, a resident of Morgantown, Berks County, sent along a nice note with her submission, a 17-by-14 acrylic pour painting called “Thawing Tundra” that she’s selling for $125.
“She was so excited about it, that this was the first painting she had done in more than a year,” Slocum said. “That made my day. We’re hoping this really gets some traction and keeps artists excited.”
Slocum said this period of isolation has sapped some of the joy that goes along with creating visual art, and the online gallery is an effort to bridge that gap.
“It’s a joy to paint and create, and it’s frustrating when you can’t share the results of it with others,” he said. “That is half the reason we do what we do: just expression. It’s being able to have others see and appreciate and enjoy what you do.”
Any artists interested in submitting their work can email a jpg or png image to artistsinresidences2020@gmail.com. Additional details on submitting are posted at www.artplusgallerypa.com/how-to-submit.html.
To view the submissions, visit www.artplusgallerypa.com/artists-in-residences.html.