Artcite does the Louvre for their annual holiday art sale
By Josh Kolm
Lance Writer
December 2, 2009
An institution in Windsor’s art community for almost 28 years, Artcite is ready to once again give local artistic talent a chance to collectively shine with their annual Doin’ the Louvre art sale and fundraiser.
Doin’ the Louvre has been a holiday tradition since Artcite was established.
Founded in 1982, the gallery serves as a totally non-profit exhibition space for young and ground-breaking artists who may have difficulty getting exposure through large commercial and mainstream galleries.
Apart from a few fundraisers, they have offered patrons the opportunity to visit the gallery free of charge, which has been located in the Capitol Theatre building since 1991.
“Artcite was part of the artist run gallery movement that swept Canada at the time,” says Artistic Coordinator Bernard Helling. “The idea was and remains for artists to run the process, rather than show at the whim of dealers and large institutions.”
In addition to helping new artists, Artcite strives to display contemporary movements and practices.
“Artcite was the first gallery in the Windsor-Detroit area to show video art, performance art, installation and site-works,” according to Helling.
The mandate displayed on their website states that “[Artcite’s] programming commitment remains with the younger, or emerging artist, as well as to showing artists that have not shown in this area before. We will continue to present a diverse range of exhibitions and events that reflect the diversity of current art practices in this community and nationally.”
Just as important is promoting professionalism. Despite the fact that they are a non-profit that deals exclusively with younger or emerging artists, Artcite still pays them professional artist fees. They also regularly hold lectures and workshops related to succeeding in both the creative and professional sides of the art world.
Doin’ the Louvre is the annual opportunity to bring all of Artcite’s goals to the foreground in a single event. In addition to being one of their biggest fundraisers—FUN(d)raiser as they’ve been calling it—it also provides the same artists that seek exposure in the gallery the chance to sell their art, an opportunity they might otherwise not be afforded.
It also provides connoisseurs who lack a sizeable bank account to indulge in their passion, as everything for sale is required to be under $99.
It is another way that Artcite is supporting certain artists by giving them what other galleries might be reluctant to.
And, like seeing Lou Reed dressed in a suit and tie, DTL is when the modest gallery’s appearance most embodies the professionalism Artcite practices all year.
“We hang works floor to ceiling, as in the Louvre Gallery’s salon style. We show works from Windsor, Essex, and Detroit area artists. You do not have to be a member to show at DTL. Last year we had over 600 works for sale, all original, recent and local. Doin’ the Louvre is a huge, fun show that folks look forward to all year.”
Artcite’s annual Doin’ the Louvre fundraiser opens Friday, Dec. 4 with a free opening gala starting at 7:30 p.m. The show runs until the Dec. 24. For more information, including location and gallery hours, visit www.artcite.ca. |
