Supporting the Arts (Postcards from the Creative Journey)

Self Portrait, Interior,

Heckman Homestead Shack (outtake)

I attended a photographic art exhibition recently. It was an event planned to “give back” in support of the local art community. As I elbowed my way through the throngs showing up for the opening night while avoiding the crowd three and four deep at the cheese plate, I thought about who was giving what back to the local photographic community. The folks at the event were chowing down big time on the wine and hors d'œuvres certainly didn’t seem to be giving back to the arts community, in fact it seemed quite the opposite. At an event such as this, wouldn’t giving back to the arts community be more clearly demonstrated by the purchase of art on display rather than vacuuming up the hors d’oeuvres? The real support of the arts community does not come from gallery owners and philanthropists sponsoring events, but from the local citizenry (including artists) supporting the community through the purchase of local, original art.

I will go back to the gallery later for a more sedate and less crowded look at the exhibit. I wager there will be few or no “red dots” by the photographs on the wall. It’s sad when support for artists runs out when the hors d’oeuvres do.