Creating Sparks with Laura Alexander

Laura Alexander is starting 2009 with a bang.

Her ongoing art show Spark! is making its triumphant return as the first event to kick off the impressive new season at Junctionview Studios. Spark! is one of the few “hang it yourself” art shows in Columbus where all artists are invited to show up early, pick up a hammer, and hang their work themselves. The process is just as interesting as the art on the walls, and we managed to get a bit of additional insight about the show straight from Laura herself.

Q: Where exactly did the idea of a “hang it yourself” art show come from and what motivated you to make it a reality at Junctionview?

A: I had moved into Junctionview about a year before I decided to throw Spark!. I moved in with the intention of just having a space to work in, but by Agora III, I realized there was a real community forming and I wanted to be a big part of that and give something back. I realized that I didn’t have to sit back and wait for other people to do things, I was able to get things going on my own. I don’t really know how “hang it yourself” came into play, except that I didn’t know what kind of art would be in it or how to even think about curating something like this without a lot of planning and contacts. I threw the first one less than two weeks from conception. I handed out flyers at Pecha Kucha and posted on Columbus Underground and the Indie Art Capital website to help promote it.

Q: That was about a year ago when you held the first Spark!, right? How have things evolved since then?

A: Yeah, the first Spark! was held on November 24th, 2007. It has gotten larger each time and the amount of work grows too. The show has been on hiatus for awhile due to my involvement in other events like Independents’ Day, Agora, and Urban Scrawl. In general, the artists are very excited and appreciative that this kind of show is coming back and that they can be a part of it again.

Q: Have the artists participating in Spark! had any personal or professional success come out of the show?

A: I’ve gotten a great response from everyone involved and I’ve met a lot of great people at the shows. My friend BJR, who has a studio at Junctionview, invited a few of his friends to hang work at a previous Spark!. They were all a little timid to hang it in the gallery areas so they hung it in his studio and left the door open. His friend, Michael sold his first piece ever during a show. He now has a studio of his very own (right next door to me at JV) and just about sold out of work at a show at East Village in the Short North in November. He credits Spark! with giving him his start and that is amazing to me.

So yes, I have had a lot of people tell me that the show has really made a difference for them. Sometimes it’s as simple as them running into an old friend at the show, or meeting another artist and now exhibiting or collaborating with them. It’s really satisfying to make that kind of impact.

Q: To kind to take things to the other extreme… have you had any nightmare scenarios at past Spark! shows or has it run pretty smoothly so far?

A: My biggest nightmare for the show is always the same, that no one will show up. I try not to sweat it. We have such a great community here at Junctionview that I think we’d all still hang up artwork and have a show even if no one came to it or participated in it. The worst thing that has actually happened is a band didn’t show up. The second worst was when a band showed up without a PA, and they played anyway, even though they never had played without one. Those are really minor things in my opinion, and I love that the band improvised.

Q: Well, it’s a bit last minute now since the show is tomorrow, but are there opportunities for people to get involved next time, and when will that be?

A: Of course! Anyone can hang work and I don’t put limits on size or quantity. I don’t know when I’ll have the next show yet though. I’ve gotten really busy with other organizations such as the Couchfire Collective and the Ohio Art League Programming Committee, as well as trying to create my own artwork, and balance a full time job top of all of that. But I would like to open it up some and help other people keep it going even when I don’t have time to devote to it.

Q: Any final comments or shoutouts to give to anyone who has helped put the show together in the past?

A: I want to thank anyone and everyone that has participated in any of the Spark! shows. I know a lot of them are regulars on Columbus Underground too. I have had DJ’s and bands volunteer to play and I really appreciate that. I also have to thank my parents for being always being very supportive. They even baked and iced cupcakes for the show a few times. The community I have found in Couchfire, Junctionview, and Columbus Underground is outstanding. Everyone is always ready to help out and get involved. Its so encouraging!

Spark! takes place on Saturday, January 10th. Come hang your art between Noon and 5pm, or come check the show out between 6pm and 10pm. BonoPizza will also be making a special appearance!

More information can be found at:
- The official Spark! website: sparkcolumbus.blogspot.com
- Junctionview Studios’ Events page