CAN Journal Volume 1 Issue 1 2012 - Zygote Press

ED DOT prOjECT
PLAYING THE PART OF THEO By Peggy Spaeth
in the interior design marketplace, red dot project represents artists
One of the complexities of being an artist is that you have to do it all: make the art, photograph it, market it, and
try to sell it . Who has time for all of that?
It’s not a rhetorical or flippant question. For all its cultural import,
art is essentially a consumer product. In the case of nearly all other
consumer goods, the making and the selling are viewed as different
occupations, delegated and sub-delegated to paid professionals. But
individual artists rarely have this luxury. Few of them have brothers
like Theo Van Gogh, who promoted and sold Vincent’s work.
So there is a missing link between the artist and the consumer that
a gallery can fill, but because art is by nature a highly individualized
product, each gallery tends to carry specific genre or families of art.
In Northeast Ohio Red Dot Project has stepped in to fill the crucial
need to match art and consumers with a highly personal service.
Founded in 2005 by long-time art gallery owner and entrepreneur
Joan Perch, Red Dot Project was inspired by Pierogi Flat Files in
New York. The intent was to make original artwork available by
storing a wide variety of media in flat files, and eventually online.
Red Dot Project represents more than 100 Northeast Ohio artists
in a wide variety of media, reflecting its mission to create economic
opportunities for artists. Any artist may apply to be included in
the collection. Artists the Red Dot Project represents are selected
by a peer review process. Criteria for selection include the artist’s
command of the material, and the overall quality of the art.
Project Director Christy Gray—whose experience is both as an artist
and an interior designer—provides a link between the artist and the
client, typically a small or medium-sized business looking for art
because they are moving or renovating. The client does not pay a fee.
Like a commercial gallery, Red Dot earns a percentage of the sale
price of the art.
Even if art is viewed as a consumer product, selling it is unlike the
sale of commodities, or impulse products. Selling art is a process.
At RDP, the process begins when Gray meets with the client and
assesses their needs. Factors under consideration are individual taste,
space, and budget. Red Dot Project uses a searchable database that
makes the art selection process easier and faster. Because Gray is
familiar with a wide range of artists, sometimes she will suggest a
commissioned piece customized to the client.
In the summer of 2011, Red Dot Project provided the art for The
Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s Smart Home, a passive
energy model home. The selected art was based on the fundamentals
of sustainability. The pieces were made from natural or reclaimed
materials, created in a studio where environmental processes were
in place and/or reflected in content or theme views of our world and
environment.
Red Dot Project provides a very personal and crucial connection
between the creative community and clients in Northeast Ohio.
Peggy Spaeth is executive director of Heights Arts
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Location 1900 Superior Avenue, Suite 117, Cleveland
Phone 216.664.9600
Web http://updates.reddotproject.org/
Email Christy@reddotproject.org
Facebook Red Dot Project
Twitter REDDOTProject
MISSION
RED DOT Project puts the work of Northeast Ohio artists
together with clients who want to enliven their work and
home environments . As a non-profit organization, we do
more than just sell art . We build community relationships
and develop new markets for artists as entrepreneurs .
A BRIEF HISTORY
Founded in 2005 by artist, gallery owner and arts
entrepreneur Joan Perch, RED DOT Project maintains
artists work in flat files and digital images, rather than
space-intensive gallery displays . The flat and digital
files can be easily viewed by clients who wish to take
advantage of the region’s thriving creative class .
Previously, Perch was owner of ArtMetro Gallery, and
creator of the ARTcade—a collection of galleries that
brought life to the otherwise mostly vacant Colonial
Arcade in Downtown Cleveland . Christy Gray, now
project director of RED DOT Project, has been involved
with the organization since its inception . Gray’s textile art
can be found in private collections throughout Northeast
Ohio . Since its inception in 2005, RED DOT Project has
provided real sales opportunities for visual artists and
arts businesses totaling more than $500,000 .
PHOTO: KEITH BERR
rivEr gALLEry
A COMPELLING COMBINATION
river gallery has a passion for group shows
River Gallery is a white wall gallery, representing emerging and established artists from the Cleveland area . The
gallery is located on Old Detroit Road in Rocky River, a charming shopping area that was recently revitalized with
a streetscape make over . The pedestrian friendly neighborhood is packed with restaurants and galleries . River
Gallery and its neighbors Devout Home and Mitchell Sotka Ltd ., are the longstanding arts businesses in the Old
River Shopping area .
River Gallery’s current exhibit, Cleveland Craft Masters, features
the work of David and Roberta Williamson, Pamela Argentieri,
Matthew Hollern, William Brouillard, Judith Salomon and Brent
Young. It’s the kind of exhibit, collectors can expect from the gallery.
G. Ara Hamamjian, the gallery owner, is incredibly proud of the
current exhibit, “This exhibit is a compelling combination of artists
who have a long-time relationship with the gallery, plus two artists
new to River Gallery,” he says. “All of them have impressive local
reputations and all are nationally recognized.”
A real labor of love, it is obvious that Hamamjian and gallery
manager, Mark Yasenchack have a passion for curating group
exhibits and providing established and emerging local artists with
a finely tailored and professional presentation. “The relationships
I have made with artists have been inspiring and incredibly
rewarding.” Hamamjian adds.
By Mark Yasenchack
Founded in 1970 by his parents George and Sara Hamamjian,
Ara grew up surrounded by art. After graduating from Ohio State
University, Ara enrolled in the Picture Framing Academy in San
Francisco, honing his skills and developing a love for the craft. An
artist in his own right, Hamamjian dresses flyfishing flies. Both
functional and decorative, they are ornaments of hook, fur and
feather. He instructs fly-tying workshops at the Cleveland Museum
of Natural History. Developed from his love of flyfishing he is also a
guide on the Rocky River for other enthusiastic fly-fishers.
In 1994 Hamamjian purchased the gallery from his parents and
pursued a different course by focusing on independent studio artists,
as well as establishing collaborative relationships with professors and
alumni of the Cleveland Institute of Art, Kent State University, and
Baldwin-Wallace College.
The support and enthusiasm of River Gallery patrons is clearly
evident in the success of the annual Ceramics Invitational Exhibit
Location 19046 Old Detroit Road
Rocky River
Phone 440.331.8406
Web www.rivergalleryarts.com
Email rivergalleryarts@yahoo.com
Facebook River Gallery
GALLERY HOURS
11 a .m . to 6 p .m . Tuesday through Friday
11 a .m . to 5 p .m . Saturday
Closed Sunday and Monday
Or by appointment
MISSION
Exhibiting nationally recognized and emerging artists
from the Cleveland area .
A BRIEF HISTORY
River Gallery was founded in 1970 by George and Sara
Hamamjian, . Their son Ara, the gallery’s current owner,
therefore grew up surrounded by art . After graduating
from Ohio State University, Ara enrolled in the Picture
Framing Academy in San Francisco, honing his skills and
developing a love for the craft . An artist in his own right,
Hamamjian dresses flyfishing flies . Both functional and
decorative, they are ornaments of hook, fur and feather .
every April. Since 2005, this exhibit has grown to feature the work
of over 30 ceramicists. The 2012 exhibit will open Saturday April
28th, 2012.
The first exhibit of the 2012 season, will be the annual photography
exhibit. This will feature new works by Mark Inglis, Jessica Maloney,
Chad Gordon and Dan Morgan. These photographers have
developed unique and inventive methods of creating compelling
contemporary photography. This exhibit opens Saturday, February
4th, 2012.
Both Ara and Mark enjoy the discovery of exciting new work by
talented artists of the Cleveland area, and sharing that dynamic with
River Gallery patrons.
River Gallery seeks artists year-round.
Mark Yasenchack is gallery manager of River Gallery
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He instructs fly-tying workshops at the Cleveland Museum
of Natural History . Developed from his love of flyfishing he
is also a guide on the Rocky River for other enthusiastic
fly-fishers .
In 1994 Hamamjian purchased the gallery from his
parents and pursued a different course by focusing
on independent studio artists, as well as establishing
collaborative relationships with professors and alumni
of the Cleveland Institute of Art, Kent State University,
and Baldwin-Wallace College .
UPCOMING EXHIBITS
Mark Inglis, Jessica Maloney, Chad Gordon, Dan Morgan
Opening February 4, 2012
Animal-Themed Art Exhibit
Opening March 17, 2012
Interested artists, please contact the gallery
Annual Ceramics Invitational
Opening April 28, 2012
Interested artists, please contact the gallery
Susan Danko, Dissolution, Nordson Corporation installation.
River Gallery.
page twenty six : : : north east ohio collective arts network journal north east ohio collective arts network journal : : : page twenty seven
PHOTO: MARK YASENCHACK