Pop Up Art in Tucson
A Model for Emerging Artists?
May 2014
Sculptor Shirley Wagner
Tucson artists Shirley Wagner and
Moria Geoffrion recently organized a Pop Up Art Exhibition held on April 27 at
the old Borderlands store at 7th Street and 5th Avenue. Thirty-five artists participated in the
one-day event that filled the warehouse with some of Tucson's best art from
established and emerging artists.
What is a pop up art event?
Simple. Artists get together, find a suitable space that they can get for one day, preferably for free, and then they mount an exhibit of work and invite the public. Pop Up art events are common in Europe and especially in the U.K. They have only recently begun to in the U.S. in places like New York City, Burlington, Vermont, and Columbus, Ohio.
What is a pop up art event?
Simple. Artists get together, find a suitable space that they can get for one day, preferably for free, and then they mount an exhibit of work and invite the public. Pop Up art events are common in Europe and especially in the U.K. They have only recently begun to in the U.S. in places like New York City, Burlington, Vermont, and Columbus, Ohio.
Moira Geoffrion
How did Tucson come to host a such an event?
Wagner says, "In searching for an abandoned storefront for her translucent art project , Moira happened across the old Borderlands Outlet. Moira called me, very excited because she saw the opportunity. I went the next day to see the space. Any time an artist sees open space, high ceilings and big walls, it causes much excitement!”
Wagner and Geoffrion are both established artists, and Geoffrion is a professor of art at the University of Arizona. It was the first time that Wagner had participated in or organized a pop up art event.
How was the event received by artists and the public?
Wagner says, “I consider it extremely successful. Both the artists and the public welcomed it. Moira and I handpicked from the quality pool of contemporary artists in Tucson. The public commented that the quality of the work was exceptional. It was also a wonderful opportunity for the public to return to the downtown area! “
“For some emerging artists,” Wagner continues, “it was their first time to show their work to the public. Some of them sold work. They were able to network with other artists, too.”
One of those artists who sold several pieces as Joe Brown. See an interview with Joe here….
“We might consider doing it again in the fall,” Wagner adds.
Or consider organizing your own pop up art event. Here’s a how-to guide from the The Art Newspaper based in London, England.
http://www.theartnewspaper.com/articles/Do-it-yourself-pop-up-galleries%20/19611
Wagner says, "In searching for an abandoned storefront for her translucent art project , Moira happened across the old Borderlands Outlet. Moira called me, very excited because she saw the opportunity. I went the next day to see the space. Any time an artist sees open space, high ceilings and big walls, it causes much excitement!”
Wagner and Geoffrion are both established artists, and Geoffrion is a professor of art at the University of Arizona. It was the first time that Wagner had participated in or organized a pop up art event.
How was the event received by artists and the public?
Wagner says, “I consider it extremely successful. Both the artists and the public welcomed it. Moira and I handpicked from the quality pool of contemporary artists in Tucson. The public commented that the quality of the work was exceptional. It was also a wonderful opportunity for the public to return to the downtown area! “
“For some emerging artists,” Wagner continues, “it was their first time to show their work to the public. Some of them sold work. They were able to network with other artists, too.”
One of those artists who sold several pieces as Joe Brown. See an interview with Joe here….
“We might consider doing it again in the fall,” Wagner adds.
Or consider organizing your own pop up art event. Here’s a how-to guide from the The Art Newspaper based in London, England.
http://www.theartnewspaper.com/articles/Do-it-yourself-pop-up-galleries%20/19611
Photographer Kate Long Hodges exhibited her work.
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Sculptor Joe Dal Pra and his work at the Pop Up Art event.
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