In this moment, the art world (like the rest of the world) is prioritizing where and how funds are spent. From museums to galleries to artists, from organizations to publications, creative minds have had to recently reevaluate, refocus and reinvent their way of spending.

A gallery and an artist embark on a summer journey together… Instead of financing a summer of exhibiting produced artwork, Dam, Stuhltrager Gallery will be funneling their resources directly back into the development of an artist. Under the guidance of curators and VIP guests, one special artist will navigate the course into the professional art world. Officially introducing this artist to the greater art community – from creating a new piece to promoting/marketing to building a portfolio to having the work seen, placed and shown- will comprise the exhibit.

Publicly sharing the artist-gallery relationship is an exercise in exposing the realities within the art world and exploring the dynamics that govern the art world. Through an online blog, viewers will be able to trace the exhibit as it is develops, behind the scenes.

To find the one talented artist to collaborate with in “SUMMER SESSION”, an open call was held by Dam, Stuhltrager Gallery. From all the submissions, artist Jerry Blackman was selected.

About JERRY BLACKMAN:

A new artist to submit to the gallery, Jerry Blackman’s sculpture and installation art stood out as a refreshing contemporary take on incorporating symbolism and iconography. Latent with a very current view of ageless visuals, Blackman’s work carries on an identity that is youthful and inquisitive.

To view of Blackman’s art that was submitted to gallery, please visit: www.jerryblackman.com.

About the GALLERY & CURATORS:

Founded in 1998, Dam, Stuhltrager is a contemporary art gallery in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Since 2006, the gallery has presented public installations in Miami, Madrid, Lincoln Center/NY, Coachella/LA, Basel and Turkey. In Dec 2008, the gallery presented contemporary new media at The Hermitage in Russia. Dam, Stuhltrager’s Berlin Annex opens this September. “SUMMER SESSION” is the gallery’s fourth open call and follows the success of “Gritty”, “SHOOT” and “Au Courant”. Leah Stuhltrager, Rebecca A. Layton and Paige King are on the curatorial team at Dam, Stuhltrager.

“It is especially important at this moment to open dialogue that examines differences in funding pioneering Art and artists vs sustaining, chasing or defining commercial interests.” – L. Stuhltrager

AN OPEN INVITE TO THE GREAT WIDE ART WORLD: BE APART OF “SUMMER SESSION”

This unique show invites artists, gallerists and art appreciators to participate by adding their comments to the open discussion on the greater art world at: http://summersession101.blogspot.com. Along with exhibiting every text, pc, cv, photo draft and email involved with launching SUMMER SESSION’s selected artist, Jerry Blackman – every blog comment will also be printed and hung as part of the physical exhibit in the gallery from July 11 – Aug 30. (Sign your name if you’d like to be accredited or give input anonymously. NO VOICE WILL BE CENSORED and every single person contributing in the dialogue online will be included in the show.) Comments added to the blog will be included as they are contributed throughout the show.

With the public joining in, the discourse is sure to get interesting quick.