Random Acts of Art

Life imitates art far more than art imitates life. – Oscar Wilde In an economy where opportunity is not often equally given, a starving artist can only hope for a fair shake. Not to fear, starving artist. Beginning last month, The Art Store is helping to level the artistic playing field with a new and innovative gallery.

The Art Store, 936 Erie Blvd. E., has opened a new gallery that gives local artists a chance to display their artwork free of a jury, commissions and fees. “It’s an opportunity for people of different {artistic skill} levels, who might not have the opportunity, to show it here,” said George Ross, director of operations.

The space, described by The Art Store as a non-profit, community gallery for the public, displays two artists a month, chosen entirely by the luck of the draw. Anybody and everybody—student or professional, young or old—is invited to fill out an entry form found at the store or online. From these forms, two artists are randomly chosen every month and given an opportunity to showcase their work.

With the gallery, The Art Store is helping to advance the movement to promote the arts in Syracuse. In venues all around the heart of the city, including The Warehouse Gallery, ArtRage and the Everson Museum of Art, just to name a few, art is blooming. Add The Art Store to that list. “We were just looking to get more involved with the community and with artists of all ages,” Ross said, “and to do something different.”

The gallery officially opened Nov. 20.

For the first exhibit, the store is showing the work of an artist selected in advance, Rose Mary Casciano Moziak, sister of local news anchor Christie Casciano. The sister team recently completed and published a children’s book called The Puck Hog, written by Casciano and illustrated by Moziak.

“The kickoff was to call attention to the gallery, so we elected to show someone who was already known,” Ross said. “And Moziak had the opportunity to show some work leading up to the completion of the book.” (See related story, page 14).

In the future, the artists shown in the gallery could be anyone. “Most people who enter or register might not have or be given the opportunity. They’re not established, not recognized, not ready to pay,” Ross said. “But here, everyone’s equal, and we’re creating opportunity.”

The gallery is clearly visible upon entering The Art Store. The space once reserved for the fine pen department, right near the front of the store, is now the home to local works of art. “The gallery is not large, but in a prominent location,” Ross said. “It’s generated a lot of interest and traffic from customers.”

As far as restrictions go, The Art Store is not imposing many. If your art is exceptionally vulgar and offensive, you can count on not being displayed. But otherwise, all types of creativity are encouraged. “We have very limited restrictions. We’re an art store, so we’re liberal. But we’re also a family art store, so nothing grossly inappropriate,” Ross said. “If we think our customers are going to be OK, we’ll be OK.”

Anyone who wishes to share their art with the community is invited to enter their work into the drawing. All types and all skill levels are welcome. “If your art is a stick drawing and we choose your name, you’re in!” Ross said.

To enter, visit The Art Store or fill out an entry form online at www.commercialart supply.com. For more information, call (800) 669-2787.

—Lorna Oppedisano