By Mary Ann Albright
The Entertainer | Posted: Thursday, April 5, 2007 12:00 am
LaSells Stewart exhibit spaces bringing in dough for gallery, artists
The LaSells Stewart Center at Oregon State University isn't just a place for concerts, academic conferences and Faculty Senate meetings. It's also one of the largest gallery spaces in Linn and Benton counties, providing Northwest artists with a place to exhibit and sell their work.
The LaSells Stewart Center actually houses three distinct display arenas: the 3,865-square foot-Giustina Gallery, which holds between 80 and 100 pieces that cycle through on a monthly rotation, and the smaller Murdock Exhibit Area and Murdock Display Case, which keep exhibits for two months at a time.
The galleries have undergone extensive changes in appearance and management style since Tina Green-Price took over as curator last fall.
Prior to Green-Price taking the helm, the gallery wasn't involved in the sale of art it showcased. People who saw pieces they wanted to buy had to contact the artist, who then had to report the sale to the Giustina Gallery, which took a 5 percent commission.
In 2003, the gallery made only $7 in commissions from the sale of one or two pieces, said Green-Price, whose primary job in addition to her curator duties is facility and events manager for the LaSells Stewart Center.
Now the gallery actually sells pieces for the artists who exhibit there. Customers who see a painting or sculpture they'd like to buy can simply go to the gallery office and pay for the item, and office staff will wrap up the art and send it home with its new owner. It's immediate gratification.
For the extra responsibilities it has undertaken, the gallery now takes a 30 percent commission. That's still well below the industry standard of 50 or 60 percent, according to Green-Price.
Last year the gallery sold 32 pieces and made $2,500 in commissions. It's on track to do even better this year, Green-Price said.
Thanks to all the events the LaSells Stewart Center hosts, between 120,000 and 150,000 people pass through the exhibit areas each year.
"It will be a timber conference or an engineering conference, and people will be looking at the art during breaks," Green-Price said.
Oftentimes, the art is purchased by visitors from out of state who come to LaSells for conferences and want a nice memento of their trip to Oregon, she said.
This month, the Giustina Gallery is featuring "Captured Grace," a collection of photographs by Tina Buescher, Randall Milstein and James Schupp.
Buescher took black-and-white portraits of her family, capturing issues of isolation, loneliness and abandonment facing adult children who return home to care for ailing parents. Buescher, who grew up in Idaho, also explores the challenges and beauty of rural life.
By day, Buescher works in the student media department at OSU. At night she teaches intermediate photography and is a darkroom technician at the OSU Craft Center.
Like Buescher, many of the artists who display in the LaSells Stewart Center have other jobs in addition to their art, Green-Price said.
"It's interesting how you can sometimes see some of their other jobs in their art," she said.
Milstein's photographs feature dancers in motion. Himself a dancer, Milstein worked with Oregon Ballet Theatre and other regional dance companies in putting his exhibit together.
Milstein also works as an instructor in the continuing education department at OSU.
Many of Schupp's photographs in this exhibit focus on his recent trip to Italy. He captures the vibrant colors of Venetian masks, the tranquility of a gondola ride and the bright flowers dotting European windowsills.
Schupp uses elaborate frames and interesting matting and mounting techniques, sometimes elevating a photograph above the mat.
He also features close-ups of flowers such as the bright pink echinacea bud.
The matted and framed photographs on display this month start at about $350. Green-Price encourages artists to offer pieces in a range of prices, so there's something to fit most budgets.
Green-Price, 43, has a background in business and lighting and scenic design for theatrical productions. She also paints and does charcoal drawings, although she has yet to display at Giustina.
Beyond the change in management style, Green-Price has also helped update the gallery's look. OSU has installed more track lighting and painted the accent walls vivid colors to help the artwork really pop.
Artists can apply individually or in a small group as a show to exhibit their work at the LaSells Stewart Center. Artists pay between $10 and $30 for a reception fee, as well as the 30 percent commission on all pieces sold.
Spaces are booked until spring of 2008, but there are call-to-artist and community shows coming up that people can still apply for.
Green-Price is currently accepting applications for a "Bridges of Oregon" show in May. Any Northwest artist can apply, and all mediums of art depicting Oregon bridges are wanted. The deadline to apply is April 18, and applications are available on the gallery's Web site.
In September, the gallery will offer a "Fiber and Fabric Exhibit." The deadline to apply for that show is Aug. 1.
This summer the gallery will host its second annual community show. Any local resident can bring in one image to contribute to this exhibit, which will run from July 19 through the end of August.
All submissions that are appropriate for a family gallery will be accepted.
Last year the show included 100 pieces, and Green-Price hopes to double that this year.
People can bring in their art for this show between July 5 and 19.
Check It Out
WHAT: "Captured Grace," a photography exhibit
WHO: Featuring the work of Tina Buescher, Randall Milstein and James Schupp
WHEN: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday until April 30
WHERE: Giustina Gallery, Oregon State University LaSells Stewart Center, 875 S.W. 26th St.
MISC.: Continuing this month in the Murdock Exhibit Area are the watercolor and pastel paintings of Angelyn Christy Voss. The Murdock Display Case holds the pottery of Lee Kitzman. Both these spaces are in the LaSells Stewart Center.
ON THE NET: More information about the LaSells Stewart Center gallery spaces is available at http://oregonstate.edu/lasells/
gallery.html