A SEA in the Desert Gallery: July 2015

July 3, 2015

July 3rd: My decision to move the gallery has been an interesting [and sometimes frustrating] experience. Four times a space I thought would work, slipped away...sort of like the mythical carpet, pulled out from under my feet! Now I've been offered a space [for which i would have to wait a month longer then even my month longer due to landlord's requirement] which is the best of all I have seen and probably worth forcing my Mars in Aries to accept the yoke of patience! I just have to let the whirlwind dust of mental desire settle for a while, and look at the landscape created by these events. So the "Moving Show" took place, but the caravan is still here, waitinng until the gate to the next phase opens. Mid to late September, ending in mid October would work well for Geier's show. We'll discuss it this weekend. Happy 4th of July in the meantime.

About our Gallery

A Sea Gallery has gone through several stages over a 10 year period. A Sea stands for "Association of Socially Engaged Artists" which began about 2002 with meetings of artist discussing the state of art in Santa Fe as well as politics of the United States and the world at this time. Most of the artists either were or had been political activists, against war, corporate exploitation, empire, etc. and committed to honoring the earth. Over the years since that time I have thought a lot about the artists roll as mirror to a society, addressing social ills and aspirations. It seemed the Santa Fe ‘art scene’ had become increasingly commercial: ‘successful artists’ making a recognizable product for wealthy private collectors or corporations. Much of the art shown was about prestige and investment. The art I was drawn to in major art centers in the USA and in Europe was deeper and more challenging than that. While Santa Fe may have more art galleries than the current economy can support I felt there is room for one more: a gallery of challenging work supported by the artists themselves- a Collective (rather than a cooperative) as the structure is evolving. It’s aesthetic philosophy: Art is shown because of its merit rather than salability. It has an owner (Monika Steinhoff) but no profits are taken out of the gallery. Artists participate in paying expenses, gallery sitting and decisions about running the gallery. Proceeds from sales are between 50 and 70% to the artist, depending on artist involvement. The gallery is small and can have up to 10 members. It has existed at its present location in the Railyard since July 1st 2011.