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The Other Paper wrote
The Couchfire clan
Can a dozen upstarts bring together the entire Columbus art scene?
By Jordan Gentile
June 14, 2007
Chinese noodles, potato salad and cheddar-cheese cubes were the order of the day Sunday afternoon at Junctionview Studios, the former printing factory in Grandview that members of Couchfire—the surprisingly influential artists’ collective—have called home during their first year of existence. Last weekend, they met to determine what their second year might hold.
Like many artists’ collectives, the group, which is composed of a dozen members, is tied together by an archipelago of studio spaces close enough in proximity to allow the artists to collaborate, share ideas and resources, and, if they so choose, enjoy one another’s company.
What makes Couchfire different, however, is its startling ambition. Not only do members want to help each other prosper; they’re looking to be a lodestar for artists all across the city.
“We don’t want to be figureheads,” said Adam Brouillette, a member whose cartoon-inspired work most Columbus art-gallery patrons would instantly recognize. “But we want to be a resource for an artistic community that’s fragmented.”
Website: http://www.thecouchfire.org
Mike is everywhere, I gotta hand it to him! :lol:
I’m actually really blurry. People who have met me know this. It isn’t just the picture. I’m blurry in real life.
If anyone is interested, the Art Fits show web site site is at http://www.artfits.org
It is specifically designed for people who are stopped with making or showing art. PM me if you are interested, no someone who might be, or want to sponsor the show.
The Couchfire people are good people. They are a good group. I’m glad to know them.
I don’t understand this “art fits” show at all. There are so many people who do want to show. So many people who do need the sales. So many people that need shows. Why spend so much time and effort putting a show together for, for a better term, non-professionals. I get the feeling that this group is looking for gimmicks already like gallerys do. I suppose I’ll be bashed for this opinion but oh well.
I see it as a great thing to seek out the less inspired artists and help put a couch fire under their arse. I thinks it’s a great way to spark creativity. Many different situations can lead someone away from creation like becoming a parent for instance. I hope that it will spark those that set the brushes aside the become active and creative again.
Art in it’s rawest form is pleasure for the eyes and mind not the pocket.
kudos for the concept.
I don’t think you have to be a professional to be a part of this show.
I was so excited when I saw the call for entries because I haven’t really shown my art since my BFA show in June 2003. This forum gave me an opportunity to do so, because I while I love making art, I just do not have the time to create a large, cohesive body of work to submit to galleries.
Plus I’m spending a lot of time and money on the jewelry thing *wink*.
Yes, there are so many people who want to show; however, I don’t think they’re turning ayone away from this one.
I guess I’m missing exactly what the problem is!
amy art will you have a booth at comfest for your jewlery?
Is the Art Fits show going to be reoccuring? Or seeing how the first one goes first?
The people in the art fits show are from all walks. some are outsider artists, some are BFA graduates who just didn’t pull together a career as an artist.
There is enough opportunity for everyone. Opportunity for one person doesn’t preclude opportunity for another- it isn’t either or. There’s enough opportunity to show and sell art to go around.
This is a show created by me, not this group, so any gimmickery belongs solely to me. You are entitled to your opinion. I won’t bash you for it. However, I will say that my commitment is that all people have the inspiration and permission to have a voice in the world- in this case through art. If that sounds like a gimmick… well… ok.
As far as recurring… I don’t know. I’m looking to find an inspired person to take over the show completely. It will be their decision what show the form takes and how often it recurs. The purpose for this is not only inspire artists in the show to create, but also to inspire community leaders to continue to create opportunity like this for other people.
The purpose of the show is for these artists. It is also to generate more opportunity down the road for other artists. Maybe J. Doe can understand that?
kudos to you Mike for making something happen and not just sitting on your ass complaining and hating on what others are doing and on why your art doesn’t sell!!!!!
+1
Also, ROFL!
Just to get back near the topic. I would love to say that the contribution of the couchfire collective is a wonderfula nd much needed addition to the arts community of central ohio. I refrence central ohio becouse at the last agora show I met people from as far south as nelsonville that were showing and supporting their art and art in general in the couchfires studios. You can either focus on the collective itself or any of the individual artists involved and you will find a great dedication to the local arts community. The simple fact with no major promotions that nearly 3000 people attended a single art event at a warehouse in the middle of a industrial district in grandview is just plain inspiring. In the case of agora they offered their wall space to over 200 artists and also gave each artist a somewhat personal webpage to display up to 5 works of art. There was no cost involved to the artist and no fees if the art sold either. This was not only a great cointribution, but something that the city has needed and will continue to need the support of people like those involved in the couchfire collective. I highly recomkend that if you missed the last agora show that you make plans to attend the next one and also take a few moments and check out the collectives webpage and that of the individual artists as well.
Kudos to the collective for the support they have offer me and all the other artists they have touched with their events.
Keep up the good work!
+2
As I believe I made my thoughts on j. doe’s incessant complaining about other’s event while taking no action on his own behalf rather clear on the Arts Festival thread.
No, I won’t have my own booth at Comfest; although you will be able to purchase some of my goodies at the Wholly Craft! booth.
My big summer project is being a vendor (with my friend Lori) at the Lynn & Pearl Alley Markets downtown. Our booth is called “Handmade Parade”. We start on July 3rd!!
I’ve been blabbing about this a lot, because I am very excited!!
I posted some info about it in the “Misc. Events” section.
No, I won’t have my own booth at Comfest; although you will be able to purchase some of my goodies at the Wholly Craft! booth.
Will What the Rock?! have some of your stuff as well at their booth?
I think the group appreciates the support from the people who enjoyed Agora. And like the article states… it will be happening again.
From my perspective… a great benefit of being part of this collective… is the ability to make things happen while maintaining limits on how much to dedicate yourself to…. I’m part of the collective.. and though I’m not not working on this one… I support Mike’s show.. gimmicky or not…
He has an audience and support. Once you have that… all you have to do is make sure the people participating and attending have a quality experience. I’m pretty sure Mike can make that happen.
Hopefully J.Doe turns out to see it. Might be surprised.
Something that didn’t get mentioned in the article… which should have been… is a list of all the artists in the group….
They are (in no specific order)
Mike Reed
Anne Holman
Mike Litzau
Dave Horton
Emily Cable
Adam Crum
Boryana Rusenova
Andrew Ina
Mike Decker
Katie Arends
Adam Brouillette
Jay Moffett