When you’re passing by an art gallery, it’s usually pretty easy to predict with just a glance what type of art you’ll find inside. At the very least, you can usually count on the artwork being larger than 3 inches by 3 inches. And it definitely won’t be free.
But the “art gallery” on Georgia Street, between Maple Avenue and Laurel Avenue in Oakland, isn’t your typical art gallery. It looks like what most people probably recognize now as a “Little Free Library” box. But instead of books inside, Allie St. Amand’s box is filled with art donated by her community.
St. Amand, an Oakland resident for 10 years, read about the first little free art gallery in early 2021. An artist in Seattle had created one as a pandemic project and not only was it facilitating an art exchange in the Queen Anne neighborhood, the community was getting to know one another better. St. Amand knew she wanted to bring this to Lower Dimond during yet another tough stretch of COVID-19. “Books are great, but art sparks a little something different for some of us,” St. Amand said. “I think it’s so joyful.”
She started to gather materials to construct a box of her own and began to document her journey on social media. She works in human resources but is also a photographer and paints in her spare time, so she figured she’d be able to put some of her own work into the box to start. Then her social media account began to gain followers and artists started to reach out to her. Before she knew it, she had more art to start the project than she could even fit in the box. People even contacted her from out of state. She said this overwhelming support has continued and she’ll keep extra pieces inside her house and replace items in the box when there is space.
Right away, St. Amand was impressed by the diversity of mediums. Although tiny paintings are most commonly contributed, there have been photographs, ceramics, jewelry, colorful rocks, stickers and even a tiny beaded koala included in the gallery. The operation mostly runs itself these days, and she said she’s amazed that there’s never been one day in almost a year when there is no art left.
The Little Free Art Gallery on Georgia Street, between Maple Avenue and Laurel Avenue in Oakland.
Gabriel LehmanLocal artist Emily Gutman, who lives near the gallery, has both contributed art and taken items home. She said it’s been a great way to meet her neighbors and now pieces she’s taken from the gallery adorn her home’s mantel, along with other art she’s collected over the years.
It’s also been nice to have another place to share the art she creates. “It’s a great new creative outlet,” Gutman said. “Sometimes you get inspired but you’re not quite sure what to do with the finished product.”
Now, she knows if a piece is small enough she can take it to the gallery. She’s created collages and a few mini (about 3-by-3-inches) watercolor quilts recently.
The idea is catching on and boxes are popping up across the East Bay. There are other little free art galleries in both the Allendale and Oakmore neighborhoods in Oakland, as well as one in Berkeley.
Gutman said she just hopes people know that these pieces are for everyone and everyone is encouraged to contribute, regardless of age or skill. People shouldn’t hesitate to take home something they love, either. “The biggest thing is don’t be shy, you’re allowed to take things from there,” she said.
May 21, 2022 at 06:04PM
https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/Little-Free-Art-Galleries-appearing-17187739.php
Little free art galleries are popping up around the Bay Area - SFGATE
https://news.google.com/search?q=little&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
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