Love for Sale

Now that the MCAD Art Sale is behind us and everyone has loaded up on 'affordable' art, I'm wondering just what good it does for artists in this community. Personally, I felt like the massive marketing effort put on by MCAD this year was a bit exploitive. I know we all need to pay rent, and the school puts the small portion of the sales that they receive to good (the majority of the take going to the artist themselves) but I couldn't help but think that pushing the sale as a way to get art at a great bargain cheapens it for everyone. It seems that in this midwestern culture of 'finding a deal', we're forced into a garage sale mentality - whether it be at Holiday Art Bazaars or Art Crawls or even coffee shop walls. With this being the main exposure of art to the public (along with the Uptown Art Fair, heaven help us) it makes it difficult to present work on any other level...and at what it should really be worth.

Maybe you disagree. Maybe you're an artist who relies on First Thursdays at NKB. Maybe you're one of the artists I know who takes advantage of the system and works it in your favor - without compromise. I'd love to hear your thoughts too.

For sure we'll see you at the Rosalux Holiday Bazaar tonight. I have some last minute gift shopping to do.