What qualities do you look for in an artist?

I love artists that just work it out for themselves. They may ask for input, or a visit, or another set of eyes, but ultimately they just keep at it until they arrive at the conclusion that is best for them.  They realize that making mistakes is a vital part of the process and that not every gesture or mark is going to be a masterpiece, rather it is one step closer to a solution.

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Name a big overall lesson you've learned in running a gallery.

I'm amazed at spaces that can mount a show every month and I'm thankful that I only have four shows a year, plus a fair or two, or a pop-up etc.  Getting the audience in is important to the artist and more time allows more opportunity.

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What are you busy working on right now?

I currently have a Ross Sawyers photo show up and along with that, we are working on ways to present larger prints in his home town of Chicago.  After that I'll have a show of Sean Pearson's ceramics which are based on characters and objects from his drawings.  Sean has also started drawing much bigger so we'll be looking for ways to present those drawings outdoors, attached to abandoned buildings and left for anyone to find and take.

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What does success as a gallery director mean to you?

Making connections between artists and other artists, or collectors, or curators, is important to me and seeing what happens after those connections is rewarding.

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What is your favourite thing about your gallery space?

The gallery is the living room and the dining room of my house so there is always a fireplace to work around and a limit as to what will fit but these are fine and not an issue.  What I love is when there is an opening, the whole house is a viewing room with art in all the other spaces.  The bed becomes a flat file and the kitchen becomes a bar.

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How do you see the traditional gallery model evolving as our industry evolves?

It"s hard to image that smaller to mid size galleries can continue to afford rent in desirable neighborhoods.  Assuming the internet will take care of viewers only works some of the time. Seeing the work in person is important to understanding and appreciating it.  There has to be a way to attract viewers to your space even when it is away from a central arts district.  Receptions, parties, talks, etc work but still the viewer can decline to visit if they are unfamiliar with the artist.  I think (hope) the press will eventually find that we are also curious of what is happening away from the big names and big spaces and they will send writers to smaller, alternative venues.

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"I think (hope) the press will eventually find that we are also curious of what is happening away from the big names and big spaces and they will send writers to smaller, alternative venues."

- Robert Yoder

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Season on Future Fair Online

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