Side Street Studio Arts raising funds for art exchange with Phoenix gallery
Side Street Studio Arts in Elgin, in partnership with 11th Monk3y Industries in Phoenix, Ariz., is fundraising for "EXCHANGE," an art swap featuring Arizona and Illinois-based artists.
This collaboration is allowing for artists' work to travel and reach audiences in two up-and-coming arts markets, creating moneymaking and networking opportunities for artists. It starts to bridge the distance between working artists in the U.S.
Side Street Studio Arts and 11th Monk3y are currently working to raise funds via a Kickstarter campaign. On Friday, Jan. 30, stop by the artist reception featuring the selected Illinois-based artists from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Elgin gallery, 15 Ziegler Court.
From a great number of submissions, a select group of visual and performing artists were chosen to represent the two locations and travel from their home state to the other and back again. Shipping, display and exhibition of visual work will be paid for and handled by 11th Monk3y and Side Street Studio Arts. Travel and lodging assistance will be provided for selected performing artists.
The Illinois-based artists selected include visual artists BaM!, Michelle Doherty, Doug Hanson and Rachel Elizabeth Maley, Chris Hodge, Karl Jahnke, Steven Lockwood, Lance Long, Roberto Martinez, David Metzger, Hillary Miles, Jason Vucic, and performing artists Andrew Moore with Watch City and Trocar Buttons.
In 2013, the founders of Side Street Studio Arts stumbled upon 11th Monk3y while on vacation in Arizona. After a conversation with owner/operator Ruben Gonzales, the two growing organizations decided to collaborate on an art swap, aimed at bringing the work of their own area's artists to the growing arts community of the other. The two organizations are striving to raise $5,000 to support transport, exhibition necessities, performer pay, etc. for "EXCHANGE." Both organizations hope this is just the start of future exchange projects around the country.
The Illinois-based artists work will be on exhibit Wednesday, Jan. 28 through Sunday, Feb. 1. Then their work will be on display at the Phoenix gallery from Feb. 19-22. From March 11-29, the Arizona artists' work will be on display in Elgin.
To donate to the Kickstarter Campaign, visit kickstarter.com and search "EXCHANGE," or stop into Side Street Studio Arts. The fundraiser ends on Sunday, Feb. 1.
Side Street Studio Arts was founded in 2013 by Elgin residents Tanner Melvin and Erin Rehberg. Currently under the direction of Amanda Harris, Melvin, and Rehberg, Side Street has become an outlet for the Elgin arts scene providing accessible space encouraging all aspects of the artistic process from creation to curation. For more information on "EXCHANGE," visit sidestreetstudioarts.org or call (847) 429-2276.