Notes from Stutz Artists Association President
This time of year, the Stutz is a hive of activity.
In a building filled with individuals, it is a rare and beautiful thing when so many people can synchonize for one common cause: The Stutz Artists Open House.
The Open House began 17 years ago as a cluster of artists with a kiddy pool of cold beer and the simple desire to show their work. Over the years the Stutz Artists Open House has grown into one of this city’s signature events with a growing regional draw.
When we open our doors Friday April 23 from 5:30-10:30 and Saturday April 24 from 2-7pm, we expect to greet 6000 visitors, and probably more.
The Open House is out chance to entertain guests and show off our unique working home. Still, our giant public party has a very serious side.
The Open House is the single fundraiser of the year for the Stutz Artists Association. Admission fees fund the Stutz Residency program, which provides studio space free of charge to two local emerging artists each year. In addition, the Open House helps keep the doors open at our gallery and classroom complex, Stutz Art Space, and allows us to present public events free of charge the rest of the year.
In the best of times, Indianapolis can be a tough art market. But in the past year, the arts community in Indianapolis has seen gallery after gallery shutter their doors. In this environment, it is especially important for us to keep the Open House a truely special event for all.
A Year in Review
Has it really been nearly 12 months since the last Open House? It has been an amazing year for the Stutz Artists Association!
- Last summer, NUVO named Stutz Art Space the best local art gallery in its annual ‘Best of Indy’ issue.
- The Stutz Artists Association welcomed two talented Stutz resident artists for 2010, Lydia Burris and Patrick Flaherty.
- The Stutz artists continue to participate in IDADA’s monthy First Friday events with open studios from noon to 5pm and exhibition opening receptions in Stutz Art Space from 5 to 9pm (Keep up to date at www.idada.org and www.stutzartists.com).
- Throughout the year several SAA exhibitions helped raise awareness and funds for the non-profit organizations Gleaners, Brooke’s Place and the American Heart Association.
- In November, the association was invited to participate in WFYI‘s ‘Spirited Chase’. This inaugural Spirit and Place festival event sent more than 200 guests on a treasure hunt to six of the most inspiring places in Indianapolis. It was a great chance to share our treasure, The Stutz, with new audiences.
- Also in November, more than 40 artists participated in the Holiday Exhibition, presenting work before a record number of attendees.
- This March was the first time the SAA has taken an official group exhibition of our artists’ work on the road. The Art Association of Henry County proved to be a gracious host for this show at its art center in New Castle.
- The Association has partnered with St. Margaret’s Hospital Guild this year as they transformed the Historic Booth Tarkington home into the Decorator’s Show House and Gardens. Kathleen Stevens was awarded an area in the show house, which she filled with commissioned works by several artists from the Stutz. It will be open to visitors April 24 through May 9.
- And finally, the Stutz Artists Open House garnered an article in the April 2010 issue of the national magazine American Art Collector.
Thank you to the artists, board members, committee members, volunteers, and other individuals who have made these events and achievements possible.
The Stutz Artists Association also is grateful for the support and encouragement of Turner John Management and our neighboring Stutz Businesses.
- Karen Land
