Eye Level Art Gallery Coordinator, Caroline Millard, was a columnist in this week’s Charleston City Paper with her opinion about Charleston’s “free” mentality.
I’m a fan of free. We all are. There’s been more than one event I’ve attended just because I received a free ticket. Likewise, I’ve worked more than once for various groups in Charleston without compensation. It happens.
The problem comes when the free mentality becomes the rule rather than the exception, and this city can’t operate for much longer unless we stop expecting free and start not only paying for culture, but paying to support Charleston’s fledgling progressive initiative.
The entire scenario is a little bit baffling when you break it down. You walk into a store. You see an item you like, check the price tag, then ask the store clerk if you can just take it with you. Not likely.
So it becomes a little confusing when people expect to attend a cultural event continuously without giving any sort of financial support. As Eye Level Art’s resident gallerina, it’s an embarrassment how many people expect an open bar at every art opening and free tickets to concerts. Let me be the bad guy by saying this: You’re not supporting the arts by showing up and drinking for free.
Yes, attending an event shows support for a talent. Having a warm body in a room, beaming at an artist’s new work or applauding when the musician finishes a set, is a wonderful feeling. But at the end of the day if that warm body doesn’t offer any kind of financial support, they aren’t helping pay rent, they aren’t purchasing new guitar strings or paint brushes, and they certainly aren’t helping to push Charleston’s talent further.
Now, here’s the part that might get me blacklisted: Charleston, you have to pay your talent. Charleston’s cultural talent — and here I’m talking about the musicians, artists, DJs, models, writers, designers, and other members of the community who add cultural depth — are the most over-worked and under-paid set in a town that prides itself on being a “progressive” city. But what is progressive about this universal expectation that those individuals will work for free?
I’ve modeled in Charleston for the past two years, and in that time I’ve seen a fantastic boom in Charleston’s creative spirit. The sheer number of designers and fashion events has grown exponentially. But what I’ve yet to see are any models banking on this style evolution. To work without compensation is not an exception to the rule — it is the rule. And if you’re not willing to work for free, you can sure bet there will be five other models willing to take your place.
But this plague certainly isn’t limited to models. The disgusting expectation that talent will work just for ego-stroking pervades every level of the creative community. Far too often I hear a DJ agreeing to play an event for free. Let me clarify here, I’m not shooting arrows at small events — say a free show in a coffee shop — I’m referring to some of this city’s largest cultural events. Events that pull hundreds or occasionally thousands of patrons. It’s one thing to do what you love and quite another to be taken advantage of for an event where nine times out of 10 somebody associated with it is taking home a paycheck at the end of the day.
Yes, strong talent must pay their dues to earn a reputable standing within the community. But only to a certain extent. When the collective creative community allows it to be the standard to work with no pay or qualified trade, it devalues the worth of that entire group.
If Charleston’s mentality doesn’t change, all those people the city relies on to bring something different to an otherwise traditional Southern town are going to leave in hopes of a market that pays for talent. I realize this isn’t a transition that will happen anytime soon, but we must make a collective agreement to change our mentality over time. Charleston culture-goers: Buy art. Purchase a concert ticket. Pay your photographers, writers, models, and DJs.
This progressive boom doesn’t run on love alone.
Read the original article here.
20
Apr
Eye Level Art Featured on Design Sponge
Eye Level Art was featured in today’s Charleston, South Carolina City Guide on the national blog, Design Sponge. The entire article is wonderful, especially the bit about us, read it here!
13
Apr
Holy City Artists & Fleas
Holy City Artists & Fleas
June 12 – 13, 2010
Noon – 8pm
EYE LEVEL ART 103 Gallery
103 Spring St
Charleston, SC 29403
::ABOUT::
Inspired by a recent visit to Brooklyn, Eye Level Art is excited to premier a new concept to Charleston’s creative community. Perfect for the trend-hunter, purveyors of cool and those wishing to indulge in Charleston’s true creative spirit, Holy City Artists & Fleas is an open market for our city’s creative community.
Open to artists, vintage clothing brokers, fashion & jewelry designers, screen printers, record labels, crafts people, chefs and more Holy City Artists & Fleas will allow locals to buy directly from new and emerging vendors and talents.
::VENDOR COST::
Vendors receive 100% of their sales.
Space Size : 10’ x 10’
Cost : $80.00/day
$150/Saturday and Sunday Combo
Space Size : 8’ Table
Cost : $25.00/day
$45/Saturday and Sunday Combo
Vendors may rent tables for $10.00 per day, or may bring their own.
::QUESTIONS & ANSWERS::
What kind of schedule can vendors expect?
Vendor load in and set up will begin promptly at 10:30am with doors opening for business at noon. If a vendor is late, participation in the market that day is at the discretion of Eye Level Art. The market will close at 8pm. Vendors must be out of the gallery no later than 9pm.
Are vendors responsible for staffing tables/booths?
Vendors are completely responsible for their space at Holy City Artists & Fleas including set up, staffing, sales, breakdown, and clean up of their space.
Will Eye Level Art take any commission from vendor sales?
No. Vendors receive 100% of their sales.
How do I become a vendor?
Email caroline@eyelevelart for a vendor application. You will be contacted within 24-48 hours.
When are registration/payment due?
Registration and payment (by check or cash only) are due by May 28. Applicants will be considered, space permitting, after May 28 and are subject to a $20.00 Late Registration Fee. Vendors will be placed in the order of their registration, register early and get your pick of the best spot for your wares. There are vendor spaces available inside and outside the gallery.
This sounds like a cool concept. But I can’t participate that weekend.
Eye Level Art plans to make this a monthly event. We hope you can join us for the second market!
I still have more questions…
That’s okay. You can email Caroline at caroline@eyelevelart.com She will be able to answer any additional questions.
7
Apr
Learn more about Eye Level Art’s Annual Corporate Membership
Cost : $250 + $25 for each additional employee
Perks for your Company…
- Logo and link on Eye Level Art’s website
- Increased company awareness to Eye Level Art Community and Members
- Strategic Placement in Eye Level Art social media marketing.
- Mentions on Eye Level Art website which averages approximately 8,000 hits a day
- Company specific tweets to Eye Level Art’s approximately 400 Twitter followers
- Promotions via Eye Level Art’s Facebook Fan Page with over 1200 fans
Perks for your Employees…
- Give your employees the gift of an Eye Level Art membership for just $25 (a 50% savings on the regular Single Membership level!)
- Show employee appreciation for birthdays, holidays, good performance and more
- Single Membership perks include
- Free admission to select Eye Level Art events
- Minimum 20% discount on Eye Level Art classes (with occasional special offers for free classes!)
- Complimentary drink tickets at select Eye Level Art events
- Invitations to private members only events
- Discounts to other Eye Level Art Corporate Member businesses in the Charleston area
Perks for the Community…
- Help support your local arts community with your support of Eye Level Art
- Eye Level Art hosted over 25 events and openings in 2009 spanning the visual, musical, culinary and educational arts and continues to deliver progressive arts related programming to the Charleston community through member support
Who’s already a Corporate Member of Eye Level Art?
Redux Contemporary Art Center
Aloft Hotel
Art Magazine
Rehava
Wild Flour Pasty
EMOH20
and more!
Interested in learning more? Email caroline@eyelevelart.com or call 843 278 2374
Join today!
5
Apr
April Member Perks at Eye Level Art
Eye Level Art’s 103 Gallery has a slew of events this April, don’t miss out on any of them. But with deals like these…why would you?
Music
Unofficial Creekside Band (April 16) : Influenced by rock n’ roll great, the show will feature both original tunes and beloved covers. Maybe even a magic trick or two! Free admission and 3 complimentary drinks for Special Single, Couples, Artist, Patron and Special Patron Members. 2 Complimentary Drinks for Single Members and 1 Complimentary drink for Student Members. Doors are at 7pm. Tickets are $10.
The Shaniqua Brown (April 17) : Charleston songstress Rachel Kate Gillon lights up the stage with The Shaniqua Brown. Free admission and 3 complimentary drinks for Special Single, Couples, Artist, Patron and Special Patron Members. Pre-sale Ticket Price at the Door ($8) and 2 Complimentary Drinks for Single Members and Student Pre-sale Ticket Price at the Door ($5) and 1 Complimentary drink for Student Members. Doors are at 8pm. Tickets are $8 in Advance, $10 at the door and $5 pre-sale for students with valid ID.
A Go Go (April 22) : Local guitarist Tyler Ross is uniting with bandmates Gerald Gregory on keyboards, Ben Wells on bass, and Stuart White on drums to perform the modern classic “A Go Go.” Free admission and 3 complimentary drinks for Special Single, Couples, Artist, Patron and Special Patron Members. Pre-sale Ticket Price at the Door ($8) and 2 Complimentary Drinks for Single Members and Student Pre-sale Ticket Price at the Door ($5) and 1 Complimentary drink for Student Members. Doors are at 9pm. Tickets are $8 in Advance, $10 at the door and $5 pre-sale for students with valid ID.
Toro Y Moi (April 24) : A South Carolina native who’s picking up mentions across the world. Fall in love with his intoxicating musical blend of low-fi electronica and americana influences. This show will sell out. There will be 10 free tickets released to members of Eye Level Art. Email caroline@eyelevelart.com to reserve your ticket. 3 complimentary drinks for Special Single, Couples, Artist, Patron and Special Patron Members. 2 Complimentary Drinks for Single Members and 1 Complimentary drink for Student Members.
The Holy Ghost Tent Revival with Megan Jean and the KFB (April 25) : Explosively intoxicating Greensboro-based sextet Holy Ghost Tent Revival will be playing their first all-ages show downtown in support of their latest EP “Family.” There will be 10 free tickets released to members of Eye Level Art. Email caroline@eyelevelart.com to reserve your ticket. 3 complimentary drinks for Special Single, Couples, Artist, Patron and Special Patron Members. 2 Complimentary Drinks for Single Members and 1 Complimentary drink for Student Members.
Classes
Work From Life with Christopher Dotson (Mondays 6:30-8:30pm) : Perfect for the established and learning artist alike, learn with as much or as little instruction as you’d like. Bring your own supplies and Eye Level Art supplies a nude model and easels. Members price $12.00, regular price $15.00.
Yoga with Harry Dinwiddie (Tuesdays 6:30-7:45pm) : Learn from Charleston yogi Harry Dinwiddie as he guides students through a vigorous, but beginner friendly work out. Never tried yoga before? Not a problem! Come with an open mind and enjoy the work out. $10 for Members, $13 for Non-Members
Visual Art + Special Events
Movies on the 103 Green (April 14) : Your favorite out door movie series is back! Join Eye Level Art for a screening of Chocolat at the 103 Gallery. Bring your own bottle of wine or case of beer for a $5 corking fee and enjoy sweet treats from Wild Flour Pastry. Free admission and waived corking fees for Members. Tickets are $5 Doors at 8pm
1
Apr
Charleston City Paper Review of Fused
“If graffiti is an explosive artform where its practitioners spray-paint their creations on the sides of buildings and trains in the dark hours of the night, how can a gallery rightfully exhibit a collection of graffiti art?”…read more in the full article here.
