R\u016bta Matulevi\u010di\u016bt\u0117\/Tie2.lt<\/p>\n
Quad City Arts is one of the major cultural institutions in Rock Island, Illinois, and the Quad Cities region, operating since 1970 and including three galleries: the Rock Island Gallery, Quad City Arts at the Airport, and a sales gallery. It also organizes cultural events and education, and focuses on supporting art education for students. Dawn Wohlford-Metallo, the Visual Arts Director of Quad City Arts, discusses the mission of the gallery and provides insight into the current art landscape in the Midwest of the USA.<\/p>\n
Quad City Arts is one of the city’s leading arts institutions. It is the three galleries that organize cultural events and various art programs. What is most important about the Rock Island Gallery? What is your primary activity?<\/strong><\/p>\n At Rock Island Gallery, our main focus is to give artists the opportunity to show and sell their work. We have 7 shows a year, one of which is exclusively for high school artists. We work with local high school art teachers who pre-select students to participate, and we typically show about 200 pieces. This show is important because it allows students to see what their peers at other schools are creating. They also compete for scholarships and awards.<\/p>\n The other 6 shows include at least one themed group show, with the remaining shows featuring two or three artists. This format gives each artist the opportunity to present a substantial collection and show a cohesive body of work.<\/p>\n What about the other galleries and events organized by Quad City Art?<\/strong><\/p>\n Arts at the Airport Gallery is similar to the Rock Island Gallery in Mission. We feature one to three artists per show, with 6 exhibitions a year, and at least one themed or group show. The groupings vary by medium, such as a wood or clay exhibition. For example, we had an exhibit called “A Portrait of Remarkable Women” celebrating women in the 100th year of women’s right to vote, with work by women artists.<\/p>\n The airport gallery has some unique challenges because it’s not an open space like the Rock Island Gallery. Everything is displayed in locked glass cases to protect the art and display it without permanent gallery staff on site at all times.<\/p>\n Our third gallery, the Sales Gallery, is also located in Rock Island. It features about 85 artists and offers a variety of items, from jewelry and ceramics to wall art such as paintings, watercolors, and ink drawings – pieces that people can use, decorate their homes with, or give as gifts.<\/p>\n A big focus for Quad City Arts is art education and grants. Is it easy to find patrons for the arts?<\/strong><\/p>\n Yes and no. It\u2019s easy because people believe in the mission. For instance, with our high school show, donors want to support young artists and help them pursue a college education in the Arts.<\/p>\n We also have the \u201cMetro Arts\u201d program, which is like a job for high school and college students, ages 15 to 21, over the summer. They go through an interview process, and if selected, they work with a lead artist on projects such as murals, music, dance, poetry and photography. Over the course of eight weeks, they develop a specific skill and are paid, which gives them valuable hands-on experience. It is quite easy to find people who want to fund this program because they know how important this step is for young people transitioning from school to work. They need opportunities for hands-on experience.<\/p>\n Other programs are a little harder to find sponsors for. Sponsorships can depend on how companies are doing; in good years, companies are more likely to give, but if they’re having a bad year, the first thing they’re going to do is cut back on giving to other nonprofits.<\/p>\n Do you see more support for young artists in the region?<\/strong><\/p>\n I would say yes. We see a lot lot of support for young artists.<\/p>\n What is the art audience in the region like? What kind of art do people prefer?<\/strong><\/p>\n I see a variety of things that people like, so we have a lot of variety in our store – abstract, realist, and everything in between.<\/p>\n I think people in the Midwest might be a little more conservative than people in bigger cities. But I think there’s art for everyone. Everyone has their own taste and we definitely try to show a variety of art so that we can find something for everyone and different people will like it.<\/p>\n What strategies do you use to grow your audience?<\/strong><\/p>\n For audience growth, we rely a lot on social media. Right now, our biggest fundraiser for our organization is the Festival of Trees. It’s a 10-day event held at the Davenport Convention Center. It attracts a lot of people because it’s a holiday event. They go there to get in the holiday spirit, and it just so happens that there’s art there. Now they’re learning about local artists, and they’re finding out that there are a lot of talented artists in our area, and that they can also buy the art.<\/p>\n That’s a strategy to get people to understand that local art is available. They don’t have to go to Chicago or some big city to buy art. They can buy art here. I feel like we do a lot of art education during those 10 days. People come for the holidays, and while they’re there, they can engage with art.<\/p>\n What do you think is the importance of art in the region?<\/strong><\/p>\n I think it is very important. People have struggled with depression and isolation because of Covid. Developing art and then finding an audience for that art helps people heal. It helps them feel better, it helps them express feelings that they might not be able to talk about. They can create something and show it through their artwork. I would say that’s probably the biggest thing.<\/p>\n Another thing that’s very important to artists is selling their work. It validates their efforts and gives meaning to the time they spend creating. It’s important for them to occasionally sell the art and make some money.<\/p>\n Is it possible for a gallery or an individual artist to live solely on art sales?<\/strong><\/p>\n I think it’s very difficult. I don’t think we could sustain ourselves on the sales of art alone. A lot of that has to do with location. If we were in a much more populated area I’m sure that would be the case. But here we just don’t have enough traffic through the gallery on a daily basis.<\/p>\n Most of the artists I know also have day jobs, creating art whenever they can. Some are successful selling their art and making a living, but that\u2019s often after years of balancing a job with their art practice. In this country, it\u2019s challenging to make a living solely from art.<\/p>\n It’s more likely to make a living from art if you work in graphic design, advertising, or another commercial field. Marketing jobs allow those with design skills to secure positions with companies. But just creating for fun, just painting from the heart for the joy of it, or making a tapestry just because you feel inspired, that kind of art is harder to sell and harder to find an audience for.<\/p>\n However, people appreciate it. They come in, enjoy the show, and often feel a connection to the artist’s work, especially if it resonates emotionally. They may not buy it-maybe because of budget or because it doesn’t fit their decor-but they definitely appreciate it. So I think that’s also really important, and our role as an art gallery is to give people the opportunity to just enjoy art and feel a connection when they look at it.<\/p>\n How do you choose the themes for the exhibitions?<\/strong><\/p>\n We have a committee. Being a nonprofit, we’re run by a board with committees, so people bring different ideas to the meetings, and we talk through what could be done with each idea.<\/p>\n Sometimes it’s an opportunity to partner with another organization. For example, we did a dog-themed show where all the artwork was about dogs. We partnered with a local shelter, and people who came to the reception brought dog food and pet supplies which we donated to the shelter. So, some of the theme shows also give us an opportunity to support another organization in the community.<\/p>\n What changes have you seen in the arts in recent years in terms of themes, mediums, or trends?<\/strong><\/p>\n Changes among adult artists have been subtle, but with high school students, we saw a big shift. In 2020, when students had to learn from home, there was very little painting, sculpture, or ceramics the next year\u2014things that usually require an instructor or specific supplies like clay and a kiln, which they wouldn\u2019t have at home.<\/p>\n Also the work we saw in 2020 and 2021 was very dark\u2014dark in color and dark in mood. I think people were feeling very afraid. But in 2023 we saw so much more color and there was much more joy in the students’ work. The students felt good. It was very colorful and there was a lot more joy. It was so cool to see that and to see that come back. People just feel better in general.<\/p>\n How do you see the future of the gallery and the activities of your organization? What are your hopes for the city and region in terms of culture?<\/strong><\/p>\n There has been a surge in mural painting around the community. I think in all communities, everywhere I have been, there are a lot more murals. It is so important to beautify spaces, both indoors and outdoors. Murals create dialogue; people are going to discuss them, whether they like them or not, it sparks conversation.<\/p>\n With public art like sculptures and murals, people visit them regularly because it affects them and they want to see it.<\/p>\n I think art is becoming more public; it is a trend now and I see it in the future. More people are interested in making it a part of their day, whether it be walking or biking tours of art, or just going and having a cup of coffee in front of a mural that they enjoy. I see more public interaction.<\/p>\n Galleries can seem intimidating; some people hesitate to come in, thinking, \u201cI don’t know anything about art and they’re just going to make me buy something. I don’t have any money.\u201d They come in and I tell them that there’s no charge. It’s free. They can look around, I never pressure anybody to buy anything. We’ve had people come out and thank us because they say, “Wow, I didn’t know this was here, I feel really good, and I didn’t have to pay anything. And I don’t feel stupid because I didn’t understand it.” Making art accessible in that way is so important.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" R\u016bta Matulevi\u010di\u016bt\u0117\/Tie2.lt Quad City Arts is one of the major cultural institutions in Rock Island, Illinois, and the Quad Cities region, operating since 1970 and including three galleries: the Rock Island Gallery, Quad City Arts at the Airport, and a sales gallery. 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