Yesterday the Shandaken Projects inaugurated the “10th Anniversary Benefit Exhibition”, the organization’s latest show on Grosvenor Island, which presented the art work of more than 140 artists. The non-profit was founded in 2012 and has helped all the artists in the show, as well as many others, to advance their artistic careers.
The show is meant to celebrate 10 years of the organization’s activity, and the best way to do so was by displaying the art work of their alumni. Some of the artists represented include Sophia Cleary, a queer interdisciplinary artist, Dylan Vandenhoeck, a Dutch artist based in New York City, and Elizabeth Axtam, whose works explore “the complexities of race and humor.”
While the organization works with artists in shows, its main purpose is to “support cultural advancement through public programs and artist services.” They do so by giving them a safe space to work in.
Storm King is one of the organization’s latest programs to support emerging artists. Through the collaboration with the Storm King Art Center, students who are selected will have free housing and an art studio at their disposal.
The gathering also celebrated Shandaken: Grosvenor Island, which is the new live-in resident program for artists who are fully supported in the pursuit of their artistic career.
Shandaken’s Founding Director, Nicholas Weist is proud of the work that the NGO does. What is even more astonishing for him is that the organization has been created by the collective efforts of fellow artists. Regardless of the limited access to economic resources, caused by the precarious conditions emerging artists often live in, they were able to successfully create Shandaken.
Nicolas Weist states how this has proven to be quite a challenge, as “in today’s climate it’s almost inconceivable that a new nonprofit organization could be created from whole cloth without a head start like wealthy backers or partnership with the for-profit sector.”
The exhibition retraces the academy’s most successful achievements as well as those of their alumni. Some are worth noting. The Paint School was a three-year program which helped mid-career artists improve their techniques. Some of its students have been the incredibly successful artists Faith Ringgold, Howardena Pindell, Amy Sillman, Byron Kim, and Carrie Moyer.
Equally of note are the shows of former students that have been hosted by the Flag Art Foundation and Philips Auction House, and the Social Justice and Printmaking Summer Intensive, which is an annual program in partnership with Hunter College, which has given emerging artists the opportunities to enhance their artistic skills through paid work experiences.
The exposition will be open until December 4, Monday to Thursday, and you can buy your tickets here.
