50/50 exhibition to showcase community artists from all walks of life

By Hallie Gallinat

Source: The Republic

Anyone is capable of creating and presenting their own artwork in a gallery setting. That’s the vision behind the Columbus Area Arts Council’s 50/50, A Community Art Project, exhibition, opening Thursday with an reception.

Experienced artists, returning participants, high school and college students — all are welcomed and have their works on display at the exhibition.

“As the gallery, we work with a lot of local and regional artists and it’s to kind of give that gallery exhibition experience to everyone, so whether you are a crafter or a professional artist or anywhere in between, that you can participate in this program and show your work in a gallery,” said Columbus Area Arts Council Executive Director Brooke Hawkins.

The reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at 411 Gallery and is free to attend. The event is also held in collaboration with Downtown Merchants’ “A Not So Silent Night.” Music will be provided by Bill Vincent of Infinite Live Loop and drinks and hot chocolate will be provided by Elev8 Events.

The exhibition got its start in 2017 and takes its name from the 50 artists who participate and the price the pieces sell for: $50. Artists who signed up received a 4-inch x 4-inch wooden block to use as the basis or canvas for their piece. Hawkins said some do very complex art pieces with their block.

“I think that challenge for artists is really exciting and I think what hobbyists really like is that opportunity to get to present their work alongside the professional artists and in a gallery and just be a part of this community art project," Hawkins said. 

Most of the artists' pieces sell at the opening reception, and they usually have people lining up before the 411 Gallery opens at noon to get their first choice.

This year, Hawkins said they decided to do something new and invite seven artists who participate every year to reimagine the block.

"Those are...I could say even more complex or sculptural or larger than the other pieces," Hawkins said. "But they still include that 4" x 4" block."

Miller M. Arch students propose "The Most 'Interesting' Structure"

At the same time as the 50/50 exhibition, students of Indiana University’s Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture and Design J. Irwin Miller Architecture Program will have their own exhibition in the 411 Gallery called “The Most ‘Interesting’ Structure.” The exhibition is about the investigation and deconstruction of the straight line.

Inspired by Sol Lewitt, students will present a series of autonomous units where line serves as not only a visual tool, but a learning journey, according to IU. Students’ projects were made under the leadership of instructional shops manager Ana Meza, who is also participating in this year’s 50/50 exhibition, Hawkins said.

“So it’s just about making those connections between community members and also engaging the students who are at the architecture program and really trying to foster the creative community and conversations among local creatives,” Hawkins said.

Both the 50/50 exhibition and “The Most ‘Interesting’ Structure” will run until Jan. 16. To conclude the 50/50 exhibition, participating artists have been invited to briefly talk about their piece at 50/50 Tiny Talks, which will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Jan. 16. These mini artist talks, which usually last for a few minutes, give listeners an understanding of where an artist’s inspiration come from and what roadblocks and challenges they faced.

Hawkins said the opening night of the exhibition is one of her favorite nights downtown because of how lively and energetic everything is. She said this exhibition, compared to their others, is the most equitable. They try to lower all barriers for participation to create a welcoming and low pressure type of exhibition, she said.

“… the idea of having people kind of lining up to get into the gallery to buy work by local artists is a dream come true for our arts community,” Hawkins said. “That’s why we do what we do is to get people excited about engaging with art and so it’s kind of a great representation of that concept.”