Galleries are fundamental to the art market—in promoting artists’ work, finding it homes, establishing collector bases, and in many other less visible ways. An artist’s commercial success often owes some credit to a gallery relationship they had along their professional trajectory. Because we share the common goal of connecting artworks with buyers, galleries figure prominently in our pages and, as a publication with international reach, we are here to spread the word or, in our case, the art.
Before you go deeper into the June issue, I want to bring attention to another indispensable sphere within the art world—the art societies that bring together hundreds, sometimes thousands, of artists over a shared passion for making art. These organizations, and there are countless of them, from the highly local to global in scope, also share a mission—to help their members achieve their creative goals, however lofty or humble they may be. One of the major ways these art societies do that is by hosting member exhibitions throughout the year.
This month we cover the largest and most prestigious annual exhibitions of two of the most prominent representational art associations active today. Oil Painters of America is presenting its 35th Annual National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. It opens May 29 at the Steamboat Art Museum following the OPA Convention, several days of painting demos, panel discussions, lectures and networking opportunities, all geared toward the working artist. Meanwhile, at Principle Gallery in Charleston, South Carolina, the International Guild of Realism unveils its 20th Annual Juried Exhibition on June 5. Between these two shows alone, collectors will have access to 300-plus examples of contemporary realism whose quality has been vetted by discriminating jurors.
The value of smaller, regional art associations, and the caliber of work produced by their members, is not to be dismissed or overlooked. Just turn to Page 100, where we have a preview of California Art Club’s 115th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition. The featured artworks speak for themselves.
While juried exhibitions are central to fulfilling their objectives, art organizations serve a quieter, but equally vital role—fostering fellowship. We sponsor many of these organizations and whenever we attend an event, whether it’s a regional plein air paint out or a large annual affair like Portrait Society of America’s Art of the Portrait Conference, the artists say it again and again—it’s the community they find invaluable.
Just think about how many of the artworks in our collections, or those we have admired fleetingly, might not have come into being without the nurturing, support and camaraderie found in these intentional communities of artists. For me, that is enough of a reason to tip my hat in gratitude.
Enjoy the June issue!
Sarah Gianelli
Managing Editor
sgianelli@americanartcollector.com
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