Bay Area Life & Style Fall 2021

& Highlighting Emerging artists
"There's original, one-of-a-kind
artwork that is more affordable
than if you get a reproduction
print at a big box store and I
don't think people sometimes
understand that they can
collect from local artists"
Written by: Emily Beier
Photography by: Alexis Arnold & Brandi Krause
“The arts bring us joy, helps us express our values and
build bridges between cultures. The arts are also a
fundamental component of a healthy community. The
arts strengthen them socially, educationally, and
economically. The benefits persist even in difficult
social and economic times. The arts improve
individual well-being whether you are creating it or
viewing it,” - Artless Bastard Art Gallery
The mission for Artless Bastard Art Galley has
remained the same since it first opened its doors.
Since becoming a non-profit in May, owner and artist
Alexis Arnold said it will be able to connect with the
community in several new and unique ways.
"The goal of the Gallery is to give emerging artists a place to
showcase and sell their work and now with being a non-profit
we can focus on the education part of it too," said Arnold. "I
think there's a stigma behind galleries and museums that
maybe it's only for certain people and I think the previous
owners were trying to break those barriers down as well
because the arts are for everybody."
One of those education factors will include art classes the
community can take part in. The classes and workshops offer
the unique opportunity to support local artists who will then
teach the classes and share different techniques with people
wanting to learn and create their own art.
Artless Bastard Art Gallery is free and open to the public to
explore and features several local artists in group exhibitions.
The exhibitions include submitted artwork from artists across
the United States. Visitors of the Gallery can get involved with
voting for the Best In Show for each monthly theme. The
artist with the most votes is recognized with a $100 prize.
arts in depere
"As we grow as a non-profit, I want to be able to raise those
Growing
prizes to really support our local artists," said Arnold.
Artless Bastard Art Gallery is also hosting a series of solo
exhibitions for artists. This year, one of the six featured
includes local artist, Jenna Kast.
My art has been a part of public display in a few different ways.
It's been part of curated art shows, it's been on display as part
of showcases and this is my first solo show. Each way has its
own benefits that come with it but it is great to have all of
these different types of opportunities to put our work out
there," said Kast.
Arnold explained how the accomplishment of a solo exhibition
is unbelievably exciting but a huge undertaking for an artist. It
requires a lot of work and time from the artist to create several
works of cohesive art to showcase. Arnold adds that the gallery
takes care of the promotion for the exhibition so the artist can
simply focus on creating.
Kast added that she is excited to have her work
featured at Artless Bastard and she encourages other
aspiring artists to get involved but she said she
understands how it can be nerve-wracking.
"In the beginning, it can be really intimidating to put
your work out there and try and find opportunities.
You might feel like you're not deserving or that you
won't be chosen but something I have learned and
discussed with other local artists is that there are so
many opportunities out there and all you have to do
is reach out and ask someone because the people
who are responsible for displaying art and want to
have it up in their business or gallery are constantly
looking for people and they're ready and willing to
help prop artists up," explained Kast.
Kast's solo exhibition will be displayed at Artless
Bastard from August 19 to September 30th, 2021.