NWA Times Article: Art Amiss a big hit, raises $1,700 with fourth show (2006/04/02)

Art Amiss a big hit, raises $1,700 with fourth show
BY CASSIE HUFFMAN Northwest Arkansas Times

Posted on Sunday, April 2, 2006

Art Amiss IV, which took place Thursday at the Dickson Theater, was the community-based art collective’s most successful event to date, according to organizers. About 350 people attended, resulting in about $1,700 raised. “By far, it was our most successful show in the retail of the pieces themselves,” organizer Robin Atkinson said. “Out of 35 artists, 15 sold at least one piece.” The event, which takes place biannually, also marks the first time organizers have been proactive in recruiting artists by sending press releases over the Internet and to local papers and schools. “It used to be on a firstcome, first-served basis, and it was hard to get the word out that we were looking for artists, so it was mainly just our friends,” Atkinson said. “This time we decided to branch out to the entire community and the state if possible.”

To handle the volume of submissions, the group formed its first review board, composed of 13 individuals who have been associated with Art Amiss since its inception. “We ended up not having to cut that much stuff, and if we did, it was because … we didn’t think they would work in the building or with the other works,” Atkinson said. “We’re not trying to weed stuff out. We want both novice and expert work. We’re not looking for the best of the best; we’re looking for what looks good together.”

This time, organizers also limited the number of artists shown, cutting back from 45 at the most recent show. “The last show had a crammed feel about it,” Atkinson said. “This time, we decided to take better work and less of it so we could really show it off better.”

Another adjustment was showing film submissions on an ongoing loop similar to what galleries and museums do rather than showing them only at the beginning, Atkinson said. “That way, if you were late, you still had time to see them,” she said.

As this event’s primary organizer, Atkinson said she focused on the show’s aesthetic, seeking to create a brighter, more elegant atmosphere. With the help of some friends, she created eight light columns made from wood, muslin and Christmas lights that projected shadows of various shapes and animals such as ants, bats, airplanes and pterodactyls. Four of the lights sold, she said.

At the door, attendees were given ceramic “Hi!” buttons created by Alison Carter. Carter also gave out cookies printed with her face and took pictures of guests eating them in a performance piece about how the viewer consumes the artist.

Other works on display included pottery, photography, paintings, sculpture and clothing. Chapbooks and CDs of original writings and music were also available.

The next Art Amiss is tentatively scheduled for October, but Atkinson said a benefit show will take place in the next few months, and the collective is also planning to host several more smaller shows.

The biannual event was co-founded by Leigh Wood and Summer Guthery in August 2004 and has raised approximately $4,500. For more information, visit www. artamiss. org, which features information on upcoming events, forums and about 100 artist bios and works.

Participating artists 607, Rob Andes, Jake Aslin, Jason Barnes, Big Jake, Alison Cantrall, Kyle Carpenter, Alison Carter, Mindy Clark, Conduit Family, Jori Costello, Richard Cutsall, Valerie Duncan, Peter Etges, Kelsey Felthousen, Duane Gardner, Dawn Garrett, Dan Griffin, Martha Guirl, Suedee Hall, Amber Harris, Allison Hess, Lacy Love, Lucio, Hunter Mack, Alannah Massey, Jeff McCollum, Becca Nisbet, Dede Peters, Stephanie Price, Rasmey, Shane Richey, Julian Santa-Rita, Dea Self, Basil Seymour-Davies, Ginny Simms, Henry Turner, Paul Wardein, Kat Whitledge and Golsa Yaghoobi

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