Art Domestique running small works gallery

WASHINGTON — The Art Domestique in Washington plans to run its small works show, which started Nov. 1, for the rest of the year.

“We have a different artist on our featured wall every six weeks, usually, so we run out of months, out of time, our schedule fills up very quickly,” Gallery Manager Cheryl Barnes said. “This was a way to bring in 30-some artists … this was the first year we started Nov. 1 and decided to run it until Dec. 31.”

Barnes said the small works show (which requires artists to display on nothing larger than 12-inches-by-12-inches’’) was more accessible than some of their other galleries, on a number of levels.

“It started as something where we could offer art that’s a little more affordable for gifts,” she said. “If you get a smaller size, framing is going to be cheaper, the artist is going to have less time in it, and you can offer it at about half the price or less. That was the mentality.”

Because it leaves so much space on the wall to fill, Barnes said the gallery was more accessible to community artists as well, providing a growing source of exposure.

“It started out with around 15 artists … and every year it’s just gotten bigger and bigger,” she said. “This year we had a total of (around) 103 pieces.”

Barnes said the sheer number of artists and works involved made the show remarkably diverse.

“It’s just the idea that you don’t get anything that’s the same,” she said. “A lot of artists, they have one medium or they like to paint certain things … but this is just totally different. You see nothing alike. You see everything, you see flowers, you see people, a mirror on the wall, landscapes, still lives … if you walked in here, you could find something for anybody because you’ve got such a variety.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com