The Crux Artist Collective, featuring special events, shows and gallery hours along with artist studios, was taken over by new owners Max Infeld, Ty Gorton, Sean Cummins and Shyla Black on Tuesday.
Infeld said he became involved with the Crux about a year and a half ago because he needed a place to make art. The Crux is different than a regular art gallery in that more performance arts are featured.
Because the Crux also has art studios, it is considered a collective, he said.
"It's more inclusive whereas most galleries tend to be more exclusive," Infeld said.
One of the main changes he would like to implement when he, Gorton, Cummins and Black take over is moving the gallery away from being "self-serving," he said.
The new owners will be working toward sending art to other galleries and bringing outside art into the Crux.
"We are going to separate the artist and the gallery so we can get the artist to the world and get the world to the gallery," Infeld said. "By separating, we can get more value and all of the best stuff out of Chico."
Infeld said that he and his partners would like to show art from all over rather than art only made in the studios in the back of the gallery.
"Similar to how bands treat venues, I want to focus on doing that with artists," he said.
He would also like to focus on getting more Chico State students involved with the gallery, Infeld said.
"Overall, I think people are hesitant to come," he said. "We have student memberships that allow you to support your art and open-entry shows."
The focus on the community and events will stay the same after the take-over, Infeld said.
The gallery holds special events where residents can come and submit their artwork in certain themes. Similar shows also work well internationally.
Ever since the Crux Art Gallery changed locations, it has been difficult to get people to come and get involved, Infeld said.
"It's not like we're having huge dance parties with alcohol. People will buy art because they can quantify it. For performances, people don't want to pay," he said.
"It's hard to make money as an art gallery because people don't want to pay money just to see something."
Upcoming events can be found at www.cruxarts.com, and open gallery hours are from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.
"It's an educational experience you can't get in school," Infeld said. "I think it's really important to get involved rather than just zoning out in front of the TV."
Jessica Mason can be reached at jmason@theorion.com
--
-
See this related article:
- Local 6-year-old artist provides blueprint for other artists' inspiration
Be the first to comment on this article!