Some years ago, I proposed to a small group of artist friends the concept of starting a community engagement project around the concept of inviting original works of art into our homes.
As individual artists, we already knew firsthand the transformative power of securing and displaying original works of art in our homes, but how could we transfer this same energy citywide?
So, I started to imagine what would happen if everyone in our city pledged to bring into their homes just one work of art in what I coined the "Living Room Project."
The concept was simple: Encourage area residents to seek out an artist, purchase a work of art that moved them and then post an image of their family in their living room with the art.
At the time, there was no Facebook or Twitter, just the world wide net, and so finding a platform from which to hang this concept presented roadblocks. I put it back on the shelf, waiting for a time when it might be more fitting.
Fast forward ten years to our present and I am pretty certain this is something that could be executed now quite easily and with stunning results not only for the community in the eyes of the rest of the country, but a move that would make a huge impact economically in the lives of those who labor all year long to make our city a bit cooler.
While I am not here to launch The Living Room Project officially, I do want to take this week to highlight just a few of the many places where one can interact with the artists in our community this holiday season.
Recycled Artists Market (Nov 6), 3rd Annual 50 for 50 (Nov. 6), Grand Rapids Gallery Association Annual Holiday Sale (Nov. 11), 20th Annual Tanglefoot Building Artists Market (Nov. 19 & 21), UICA's Holiday Artists Market (Dec. 3-4), Vinecroft Studios Holiday Artists Market (Dec. 4 & 11) and the Avenue for the Arts Urban Lights Market (12/10).
As you consider your entertainment options, please consider adopting a few arts-related events where commerce will not only make your home a bit artier, but will also ensure in the years ahead that our arts scene continues to grow into one of the greatest creative centers in our state.
The Future Needs All of Us (to bring more art into our lives.)
Tommy Allen, Lifestyle Editor
Email:
[email protected]Twitter Feed: @TommyGSync
Click here to continue to this week's G-Sync events.Photo Illustration provided by Tommy Allen of
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