If you want to support local art, start by putting it on your wall. That's the philosophy Spokane artistic nonprofit Terrain is espousing with its first-ever Bazaar, a one-day juried art show featuring more than 50 artists, live music and more. With artists keeping their prices mostly below $100 (and keeping all of their sales), Terrain hopes Bazaar can encourage festivalgoers to invest in locally produced art, perhaps for the first time.
"If we can make art accessible to people, and make the decision to buy your first piece of art easier, that can go a long way in the creative community," says Luke Baumgarten, Terrain founder and Inlander commentator.
The recent Spokane County Creative Vitality report showed the area's artistic revenue falling far short of national averages. The Spokane area buys art from galleries or individual artists at a rate that's just 36 percent of the national average.
Sure, you could settle for that framed fruit-bowl print from a big-box store, but buying something from the artist themselves, who you can meet at a show like Bazaar, carries more impact, Baumgarten says.
"The mindset about how people furnish their homes is changing. People want something with a story behind it," he says. ♦
Bazaar • Sat, June 21, from 11 am-10 pm • 200 N. Wall St., downtown Spokane • facebook.com/terrainspokane
