Bywater Art Market gives local artists a space
by Helen Krieger
"A recent
haven for artists seeking affordable living and work space,
it's no surprise that Bywater now has its own art market.
It's mission? To bring affordable, local art to the masses.
Celebrating
its third running today from 9am until 3 pm, the Bywater
Art Market at 3301 Chartres provides a much-needed space
for both local and citywide artists.
'Galleries
have their place, but they're not for everyone,' said
art market founder Blake Vonder Haar. "Generally
they take about 50 percent of sales, so a lot of times,
that's why art is so expensive. I'm trying to show that
good art can be affordable.'
With an extensive
background in art history and art restoration, Vonder
Haar said she first thought of the idea for an art market
while she was framing posters. 'You look at some of the
ready-made posters people buy, and you see that a lot
of times the frames are worth more than the posters. It
make me want to help find a venue for original art.'
Since the opening
on May 18, the monthly art market has had 15 vendors and
more than 200 visitors, said Vonder Haar, locals as well
as citywide enthusiasts looking for something new.
Bywater artist
and resident Christopher Porche West has been displaying
assemblage sculptures and photography for the past two
markets, and he says he will continue to show through
the fall.
'My focus here
isn't really to sell a lot of art,' West said, as he ducked
for some shad during the June Market. 'I came out here
to support local activities and to give people a chance
to see me and my work.'
Although he
spends most of his time at his Bywater shop, A Studio
on Desire, West said the shop is more a work space than
a retail store, and he rarely has time to chat with neighbors.
For him, the Art Market is about socializing.
A New Orleans
transplant from California, West said he's learned to
combine a strong work ethic with the classic New Orleans
art of relaxing.
'You have to
keep your focus, but it's nice to take a break once in
a while and just talk to your neighbors. Besides, you
meet a few people here each week and maybe somewhere down
the line they may become clientele,' West said. 'You never
know.'
Best known
for his award winning prints of the Mardi Gras Indians,
West has been showcasing his work throughout the city
for years in places like Snug Harbor, Jazzfest and the
House of Blues. He said he hopes the market can draw clientele
from all over the city, offering a true slice of what
local artists have to offer.
Glass artists
from Studio Inferno also plan to keep showcasing their
work at the market.
'It's a really
great way to let people see what we're up to.' said Jennifer
Sims of Studio Inferno. 'And it's nice to meet people
in the neighborhood that you may see but never have a
chance to talk to.'
Founded by
Mitchell Gaudet in the Fall of 1991, Studio Inferno has
become a Bywater mainstay, offering hand-blown or cast
glass for customers both here in New Orleans and across
the country.
The studio,
a converted 19th Century warehouse, features nine artists
from around the world. There are also 16 studios rented
out on a first-come first-serve basis. 'But they don't
open up very often,' Sims said laughing. 'Once people
are in one of our studios, they tend to stay.'
Although Studio
Inferno sells to more than 300 wholesale companies across
the country, Sims said the studio planned to keep showing
at the Art Market because of the unique local space it
provides.
Vonder Haar
has been gearing up for the fall by promoting her art
market to both local and visitor crowds, targeting radio
stations and the convention and Visitors Bureau.
'The turnout
has been wonderful. It's been much better than expected,'
said Vonder Haar. 'We're planning to keep this around
for awhile.'
In addition
to her duties as head of the Bywater Art Market, Vonder
Haar also runs the New Orleans Conservation Guild, a five-year-old
per project she refers to as 'an art hospital.' The Conservation
Guild does restoration, vintage framing and appraisal.
Artists wishing
to strut their stuff at the Art Market should contact
Vonder Haar at 944-7900 for more information and an exhibitor
application. There is a nominal fee to show work, which
varies depending on the type of work shown, said Vonder
Haar.
