The leaders of our country are giving the economy a "shot in the arm" by providing every citizen a rebate of between $600 and $1200. These rebates will be heading into our bank accounts or into our mail boxes very soon. As patriotic Americans (with flag pins on our lapels or not), with rebate in hand, we get to determine how best to stimulate the economy. Today, I posit to you that purchasing artwork by a local artist will be one of the smartest choices you can make to accomplish that worthy goal.  

First, this rebate check is a little windfall which wasn't in your initial budget so at least part of it can be considered "mad" money – a little cash that you can use for something special.

Second, as this money is meant to stimulate the economy you will want to spend it on something that will keep the dollars circulating within the community before they go away.  The arts are proven to do just that. 

This is how the arts effectively stimulate the local economy: When you buy a work of art by a local artist, she will take a portion of that money to buy herself lunch at the local diner then she will buy a little gas for her car. While the gas money leaves the community almost immediately, the lunch money will circulate through the community for a while among the restaurant vendors and through the spending of the waitress, busboy and chef.  Now here is where arts money really stimulates the economy: the artist will use a good portion of what you paid her to buy more materials at the local art supply store which she will then use to create another work of art. That new work of art will be sold to someone else in the community and the whole process will start over again, re-circulating your initial investment in the community. Nifty, right!

In the best of all possible worlds, you will purchase this work of art at a local gallery. By doing that you will not only help employ a few more folks, you will also ensure that that gallery remains open, attracting tourists and encouraging new businesses to the adjacent properties thereby sparking a little community development.

But the value of purchasing a work of art doesn't end at the cash register. While the dollars you spent with the artist are swirling around the community, multiplying faster then the rabbits in your front yard, you have also added great value to the experience of your daily life.  You have found something of beauty, something that will inspire you, something that will help you reflect upon your life, something for your soul and spirit.  That value too will multiply as your family and friends come into contact with the art work art that you purchased.

So that's my pitch.  Its up to you to do the right thing – the smart thing – and invest your government rebate in a work of art created by a local artist. For more info about how and where to purchase art, contact the Dutchess County Arts Council at 845-454-3222.

Benjamin Krevolin
President
Dutchess County Arts Council

posted 5/8/08

The art-buying waters are perfect at this time of year and the Arts Council can help you take the plunge with our Art 101 Buying Guide written especially for you, the art curious.  So read on to learn more about the art of buying art!

First and most important – if you love something, go for it! Art is all about your personal taste and emotional experience, so don’t be shy if you really want that painting or photograph. And definitely don’t be afraid to ask questions! Art is meant to inspire conversation, and most artists appreciate the opportunity to talk about their work. If you are purchase-shy though and feel intimidated by some of the unfamiliar art terms, we have some pointers and definitions that will build your art-buying confidence.

Click here to get a list of terms and

buying tips.

“There is no right or wrong way to buy art. I like to buy images that evoke a feeling a feeling or an emotional response. It could be any medium or subject matter as long as I like and find it visually appealing,” - Besty Jacaruso

“People sometimes say that they don’t feel qualified to make a decision about whether or not a work of art is good...but most important, buyers should trust their intuition: if they love a piece, they will enjoy it, and that’s the most valuable aspect of owning art that I can think of.” – Linda Piuatti

“If one doesn’t have confidence in his or her own eye then what fun would collecting be?” – Jack Banning

“Some artists don’t consider photography an ‘art’…but to truly capture the essence of light and emotion, [it] takes talent, practice, hard work and knowledge…Photography gives us views of ourselves, our world in its own unique way.” – Linda Hubbard

Photography by
Michael Coluccio

Although Michael’s formal background is in architectural design and renderings, his passion is the camera and capturing the beauty in his life-long home, the Hudson Valley.  His interests are varied but the theme is the same; showcase and preserve our region’s natural beauty. His mission is to raise public awareness of the incomparable beauty of our area. He contributes his time and talents to causes such as the Winnakee Foundation that seek to preserve open spaces. His artful pursuit in photography is to render a tree, an old barn, a snowscape or stream in such a way that no one can ever look at it the same again. Michael believes that the Valley’s natural heritage is so unique, so woven into who we are, that it deserves special consideration and protection.

He has embarked in recent years on a journey to photograph area barns, particularly those that won’t be standing much longer. “Some of these structures are so beautiful that I have mounted and framed them as fine art. They have great dignity and people love to see them and remember a more rural time”.

Michael exhibits his landscape photography at art shows throughout the valley. Michael also does studio and location Portrait Photography. His work can be seen at: http://www.westpinedesigns.com/

The photograph shown above, title "Uninvited Weather" is currently on exhibit as part of the Dutchess County Arts Council's first Artist Member Juried Exhibition at the Cunneen-Hackett Arts Center through June. (see below, right for more information.)

Funds from Ulster County are available for capacity building and strategic collabora-tions within the arts community in Ulster County. Financial resources for this program have been provided by the Ulster County Legislature. In 2008, these funds will be made available to nonprofit arts and cultural organizations incorporated in Ulster County. Established nonprofit organiza-tions, working in all arts disciplines, are eligible to apply for funding.

The goal of this program is to provide organizations with access to funding which they need to strategically build capacity, grow long-term support and visibility, broaden public participation in the arts, and provide services to the residents of Ulster County. Examples of eligible projects include, but are not limited to: shared marketing campaigns, co-production, co-exhibition, arts and cultural activities in tandem with economic revitalization programs, public art.

Click here or "Arts Council Grants"

above for application and guildines.

Members and contributors receive Artscene automatically by mail.  To be sure you automatically receive each issue, click on the "Contribute Now" button at the top of the page to become a member.

To receive your copy of the Winter 2007 guide send us an email with your mailing address to:  info@artsmidhudson.org (please reference "Artscene" in the subject line ) or call 845-454-3222.