Strivers Garden Gallery and Souleo Enterprises LLC hosted a dialogue on innovation and art appreciation on Sunday, Aug. 12. Titled Gallery Talk, it was created in celebration of the eMerge: Danny Simmons & Artists on the Cusp art exhibition, featuring Danny Simmons and budding artists. The discussion presented an opportunity for some of the art world’s most accomplished advisors, gallery owners and curators to share their knowledge of art collecting with novices.
The panel of experts included Amy Kisch, founder and CEO of AKart, an art advisory agency; Tracy Causey-Jeffery, owner and director of Causey Contemporary Gallery; and arts management specialist Debra Vanderburg-Spencer, whose clients include the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture and the Harlem Arts Alliance. It was facilitated by Lisa D. Hayes, co-curator of the Strivers Gardens Gallery.
“I encourage both beginners as well as long-term collectors to educate their eyes. What you like right now might be different than what you like in two months. Hopefully, these are things you’re investing in, not only financially, but also spiritually and emotionally,” said Kisch in responding to the common question of how to select art.
In attendance was independent curator Krista Saunders, who has experience working with new artists and shared her perspective. “I think the biggest mistake is when new artists think they have to wait for that ‘big break.’ … I think the key to success is changing that way of thinking and accepting that maybe where they are trying to be will come in a more collective sort of approach,” she said.
During the event, a few aspiring young creatives, aka Culture Crashers, formed by Jeremiah Drake and including a young musician Solomon Hicks and playwright Aliou Abdussami, debuted their time capsule projects.
“I just really like the idea of putting something in the ground and waiting years later to pull it out. I just think it’s cool having objects that can bring back a memory. It makes me wonder where I’ll be years from now,” shares Abdussami, 14.
Initially, eMerge was an opportunity for Peter “Souleo” Wright to pay tribute to his younger brother, who had an untimely death. He dedicated the gallery’s opening to Glenn “Spoof” Wright’s memory. eMerge continues to expand beyond its initial intent and now provides access to pay homage to the past and pay it forward. –timothy duwhite
eMerge: Danny Simmons & Artists on the Cusp will be exhibiting at Strivers Gardens Gallery, 300 West 135th St., until Sept. 6, 2012.
