So I thought I’d tell you a bit more about Chicago. I’ll start with the end: on the last day, in fact in the last couple of hours, of being in Chicago, pumped full of painkillers and antibiotics, I took the ‘architectural boat tour’ everyone always talks about. And it’s true: it’s really worth it! My father was an architect, so I am particularly fond of the subject. Our tourguide was wonderful: she clearly did this gig because it was her passion, not because she needed the money. This passion was contagious, and her sharp sense of humour much appreciated. Unfortunately, the picture-taking device I had with me leaves much to be desired, so please excuse the lousy quality of the images in this post!
But now a few more shots from SOFA itself. I suppose I’d better explain how it works: basically, galleries go through the tremendous effort and expense to bring the work of the artists they represent, here. The galleries are mostly American, with a few Canadian and other International representatives. Connoisseurs from all over the world then descend upon SOFA, together with the broader Chicago public. Several collectors groups make this their annual meeting place, as there is so much great work to be found. There seemed to be quite a lot of glass work, some of it very large, and most of it hugely expensive.
Then there are also special exhibits, various organizations are present (i.e. Society of North American Goldsmiths, or Art Jewellery Forum, etc.), and a wonderful and broad lecture series is offered.
One of the special exhibits was the exhibition ‘Gold Medalists 1994-2010’ by the American Crafts Council. As the catalogue states “Quite simply, they are the creme de la creme of American craftspeople” (p35). Among them, Albert Paley:
Another special exhibition was that on wood turning, which was mindblowing, and ‘Celebrating the Future of Art in Wood’, equally amazing.
And now some more just general shots of various booths and different work. I am so sorry that I don’t have everyone’s names … my brain was already rather fuzzy (from the tooth infection) when I took these.
The following image contains work from two booths (on the left, Habatat Galleries from Royal Oak, MI) :
In the following photo you can not only see these amazing sculptures, but also get a sense that there were people of all kinds and ages at the show. I loved seeing so many children, and even babies in strollers. It is soooo important to bring children in and around art!
Oh, I almost forgot to mention this: I didn’t just show up for this. I was there as part of a Trade mission. I would never have been able to afford this, otherwise, nor would I have had the guts to go! Having the support was invaluable.
The SOFA project was a pan-Atlantic project lead by Craft Alliance with funding received from ACOA under the Business Development Program (BDP). We were a total of 10 craftspeople and 8 observers. Funding for travel assistance for participants was provided by various regional, separate funding programs.
All fours Atlantic provincial crafts councils provided assistance with the recommendation and selection of participants for the project (there was an application and jury process). In case you are an artisan out there, considering such things in the future, the complete criteria and program outline are posted on the Craft Alliance website. It’s really amazing what support is available, if you keep your eyes and ears open!
As part of the program, there was a full day of workshops, including a talk by what seems to be Chicago’s best -loved, highest-esteemed gallery owner, Ann Nathan. Her sharp answers to our questions contained very valuable information!
Lastly, we were proud to have two of our own represented at SOFA Chicago this year: Catherine Allen and Pamela Ritchie (my former prof at NSCAD!), both represented by Option Art, Toronto.
And of course the who-is-who in the art jewellery world was present, as well. Like Donald Friedlich, whose work I’ve been hearing about since first semester!
So part of ‘going to walk SOFA Chicago’ was to fulfill a dream of the past ten years. Part of it was about finding out whether or not I think I may be up to par, and part of it was to feel out which galleries, if any, I might be interested in dreaming about being represented by, one day far far in the future. I found two: Pistachios in Chicago, and Ornamentum in Hudson, NY. Pistachios because not only do they carry wonderful work, but I watched their staff quite a bit, and they all were, at all times, cheerful and uplifted. I really liked the vibe, how they dealt with the clientele, and so on. I will contact them after the holidays.
I knew about the Ornamentum being a possibility, because they had been suggested to me for years, and because I know they carry amazing work. But I wasn’t sure until I met the owner, Stefan Friedman. Choosing a gallery to be represented by has a whole chemistry thing going on; it has to be a good fit. And I liked Stefan. So wish me luck that I may fulfill the dream of having my work in his gallery one day!
Nice post Dorothee, very interesting and detailed. All in all sounds like a great trip.
I really like those images, especially when people are in the shot to provide that sense of scale (and awesomeness). The best shot has to be the old lady…such a frail figure with her tremendous art in the background.
Thanks, Damian. I really felt it was important to give a sense of scale, and also the large number and variety of people who come out to a show like that! The weekend pass was $25, and so many people came. There were pieces sold there which were worth tens of thousands of dollars. It’ll be an interesting contrast to be at the NSDCC Christmas Craft Show here in Halifax this weekend!