How To Get Your Art Into a Gallery

Ron Velluci | Karen Sheridan | Sylvia Gortz

Lecture by Ron Velluci, Karen Sheridan, and Sylvia Gortz

This workshop is for artists who are looking for representation of their work in a gallery. For many artists, emerging or experienced, it can be confusing on how to be accepted in a gallery and the application process can be frustrating when not clearly explained. Galleries are businesses like any other, and art is the trade. Gallerists often get too many unstructured applications from enthusiastic, but uninformed artists and have to decline many hopeful requests.  To improve the interaction between the gallerist and the artist for a smoother art collaboration, we will have a panel of three speakers representing local art galleries to talk about the most important requirements an artist needs to know to find that perfect gallery.

Ron Velluci will be representing Butterfield Garage Gallery, located on King Street and run as an artist cooperation. Ron is not only co-director of the gallery, he is also a sculptor of wood and metal relief structures, as well as newspaper publisher of Coffee News. Butterfield Garage Gallery has been open since 1999 and is the brainchild of artist Jan Miller. The gallery aims to present the art-lover with traditional and contemporary visual arts and fine craft.

Karen Sheridan is the single owner of PLUM Gallery, located on Aviles Street. Karen is an acrylic painter of Key West and Beach styles. She was an artist in Boston and owned a gallery in Key West.  PLUM stands for Perfect Life yoU Make and the gallery focuses on local and regional, contemporary art. Plum Art Gallery has a cool vibe and exhibits exquisite sculpture, fine art, and intricate handcrafted jewelry.

Sylvia Gortz will be representing The Gallery Group, located on Anastasia Blvd. She co-owns the gallery with fiancé Tom Tilley. Sylvia is a mixed media artist and curates exceptional local art for the gallery. The styles vary from traditional to contemporary and often include exciting art from local Middle and High Schools. Sylvia is also president of Art Galleries of St. Augustine (AGOSA) which is partnering with the St. Johns Cultural Council to promote local art and artists.

All three speakers have extensive experience, both as artists as well as sorting and curating art for galleries. Each of their galleries has particular application processes and guidelines to choose their next featured artist. Ron, Karen, and Sylvia will address questions concerning the best way to approach a gallery and who to contact, what the gallery submission policies are and how to find them, and what an artist can expect in the form of compensations. They will elaborate on how an artist knows if the gallery is the right fit, how to prepare for the meeting, and what the next steps are when an agreement is reached. Bring your questions and get ready to become the professional artist you always wanted to be!

Day: Saturday, June 23, 2018

Time: 10:30am - 12:30
Location: The Gallery Group
Address: 303C Anastasia Blvd., St. Augustine, FL, 32080

For more information: 

http://www.stjohnsculture.com/news-announcements/how-get-your-art-gallery-0

Courtyard Beautification Project

The Cultural Arts Center of St. Augustine Beach

The Cultural Arts Center at St. Augustine Beach

Renovated and maintained by the St. Johns Cultural Council, the Cultural Arts Center of St. Augustine Beach has provided space for business, tourism, housing, entertainment, and government over the years. The building has been used, abandoned, neglected, renovated, and is now going through a major three-phase revival. The beautification of the courtyard is just a small, but nevertheless important, aspect of the long-term project to rehabilitate this historically and culturally significant building. 

One of two mirroring Oceanfron hotels - the building on the left was destroyed

Built in the late 1930s, this 10,500 square-foot structure was one of two mirroring oceanfront hotels, flanking the Saint Augustine Pier. The southern building survived demolition and was used as an apartment complex and housed a skating rink at one point. The building served as City Hall for the City of Saint Augustine Beach from the 1960s through the 1990s. After the City moved its municipal offices to a new location, the building stood empty and neglected and was again in danger of destruction.

Anchor tenants The Art Studio and The Dance Company

The City of Saint Augustine Beach agreed to lease the facilities free of charge to the newly formed Cultural Council, who in return agreed to raise funds for reconstruction and rehabilitation of the building. Grants through the Cultural Council, together with individual and corporate donors, made renovation possible and have been ongoing since 2001. Revenue from permanent tenants fund maintenance and replacement of fixtures and appliances. 

Phase I and II of the long-term renovation of the Cultural Arts Center plans have been completed. The Cultural Council partnered up with The Dance Company in 2005 and based the reconstruction on danceable studio space. The Dance Company has been an anchor tenant since 2007. In 2014, renovation of an additional 1000 square foot was completed and The Art Studio joined anchor tenancy in 2015.

Brick Pattern Designed by Sally Ann Freeman

The St. Johns Cultural Council recently instituted a committee for the beautification of the courtyard, headed by Karen Coker, board director. Funds for this endeavor were raised through fundraising events, donors, and private donations. Bricks inscribed with sponsor names were paved in a pleasing pattern designed by Sally Ann Freeman, Master Gardner with Southern Horticulture. The “Courtyard Beautification Project” launched in February of this year. Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds helped with digging, planting, mulching, edging, carting materials around, and driving to and from supply stores. Many of the volunteers were from The Florida School for the Deaf and Blind Garden Center. By all means, visit this deceivingly contemporary facility to enjoy the arts and the beauty of the building, or you can breathe in the salty ocean air while contemplating its history in the delightfully relaxing, new courtyard: it’s there for you.

Sponsors, donors, and volunteers:

St. Johns Cultural Council, sponsor and member volunteers

Karen Coker, St. Johns Cultural Council

Florida School for the Deaf and Blind Garden Center, volunteers

Southern Horticulture, plants and trellises

Philip McDaniel, CEO St. Augustine Distillery Company, sponsor

The Division of Cultural Resources, sponsor

Craig Thompson, architect

Len Weeks, contractor

Michael and Teresa Radzinski, sponsor donors

St. Augustine Beach Public Works, sprinklers

Sally Ann Freeman, Master Gardner