CLEMSON – Over the past seven years, the Clemson Community Supported (CSArt) program has been a popular way for the public to build a relationship with student artists. Shares for this spring season’s engaging and unique art-shopping experience are available now.
The program is a new spin on the grassroots “community supported agriculture” farm share concept, which provides fresh produce for investors who buy a “share” of a local farmer’s crop each season.
Clemson’s CSArt program aims to create the same market for fresh, handcrafted artwork. With the purchase of one share, the “shareholder” will receive five different artwork made by a selection of Clemson student artists in a specially packaged crate.
This season includes two approaches to ceramic vessels, a small ceramic sculpture, a drawing and a photograph. A respected professional in the arts juries each season’s share. This spring’s share is selected by Wim Roefs, owner and director of the contemporary art gallery if ART Gallery and board chair of the 701 Center for Contemporary Art, both of Columbia.
CSArt plans to sell 15 shares this year at a cost of $200 per share.
The CSArt program was begun through a Creative Inquiry team led by Valerie Zimany, art department chair and associate professor of art, who researched with her students the strategies and successes of CSArt programs in galleries, art studios and art centers.
“This initiative provides students with an entrepreneurial learning opportunity –many of our graduates go on to work for institutions, nonprofits, galleries and more, and the real-world marketing and administration skills they acquire through participating in CSArt program gives a tangible experience to enhance their studio-based portfolio upon graduation,” Zimany said. “For those students who create the limited edition works for the share, the commission is a vote of confidence in the developing quality of their artwork and a challenge to meet our enthusiastic shareholder’s expectations at our seasonal pick up event.”
Proceeds from the shares support student scholarships and allows students to present Clemson’s CSArt program at national conferences. Shareholders can meet the artists and pick up their shares during the Spring Ceramics Studio Sale at the CSArt Pick-up from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 24 in the Lee Gallery hallway, 323 Fernow St.
To learn more about Clemson CSArt or become a shareholder-member, visit www.clemson-csa.org. The website features the student artists and provides sneak peeks of the artists’ works in progress.
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