Take a quick look around. Is the artwork on your walls inspiring you? Perhaps you enjoy visiting galleries but tend to leave feeling like you’ll never be able to afford the types of photographs you’d want in your home. Or maybe you’ve recently gotten your first job or apartment and were hoping to retire those weary posters clinging to your walls. Here’s your chance. Whether you’re just curious about starting or thirsting to embellish your own fine art photography collection, 555 Gallery in Boston has introduced a new, aptly named outreach project to help you make that leap: “Launch: A Project for New Collectors” just opened in conjunction with an exhibit of the same name that runs through February 20, 2016.
“The Guiding Light” by Bob Avakian (courtesy of the artist and 555 Gallery, Boston).
The Launch Project is new for the Boston photography gallery world, and I wish something like this existed when I started collecting photographs. Here’s how it works: 555 Gallery mounts a show, with traditionally sized and priced artwork in its main gallery. Adjoining that space is the cozy “Launch Room” in which smaller, matted versions selected from the exhibited artwork – as well as other pieces by the same artists – is offered for sale at three pretty amazing price points: under $200, under $300 and under $500. I’ve already picked out my sister’s birthday gift.
“Tree Lines, Cyan 2, 2013” by Mary Ellen Strom (courtesy of the artist and 555 Gallery, Boston).
The Launch Project is conceived as a one-year, growing collection of new photographs gleaned from ongoing 555 Gallery exhibits. Prospective collectors can follow an artist of particular interest and discover new ones in the Launch Room, invitingly outfitted with cushy chairs and reference books by the contributing artists, along with their ready-to-carry, matted prints. 555 Gallery director Susan Nalband emphasizes that the Launch Room is experimental: the collection will be largely shaped by popular demand, with buying patterns determining the direction of the project. Personalized, interactive fine art education combined with pricing this affordable is a rare and wonderful thing.
“Rabun Lake, Georgia, 2015” by Neal Rantoul (courtesy of the artist and 555 Gallery, Boston).
Fourteen emerging to established artists are inaugurating the Launch Project: Bob Avakian, Deb Ehrens, David Mattox, Jim Nickelson, Neal Rantoul, John Rizzo, Gail Samuelson, Heather Evans Smith, Jean Sousa, Mary Ellen Strom, Sarah Szwajkos, Christine Triebert, Jane Yudelman. From the masterful, sweeping landscape photographs of career artist Neal Rantoul to the funky “anti-food photography” of emerging artist David Mattox, from the high camp, chromatic trees of Mary Ellen Strom to the impressionistic, ethereal leaves of Deb Ehrens (feature images), 555 Gallery has created visual and financial entry points for a range of palates. Treat yourself to a taste.
For more information about the Launch exhibit and project, go to: http://www.555gallery.com/
Feature Images: ”Copper Curl, 2014” and “Copper Grace, 2014” (detail) by Deb Ehrens (courtesy of the artist and 555 Gallery, Boston).
“Dune Shack I” by Christine Triebert (courtesy of the artist and 555 Gallery, Boston).
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