Springboard Arts Chicago, a new art gallery set to open a 4,500-square-foot venue in Wicker Park later this fall, has unveiled a new website to showcase the works of more than 40 mid-career and emerging artists to collectors prior to the gallery’s opening. At springboardarts.com, both the experienced or the first-time collector will find an array of paintings, photography, sculpture, mixed media, works on paper and more.
At www.springboardarts.com, visitors can view work by artists represented by the gallery, learn about the artists background and creative process, as well as select a piece for their collection. Visitors also can take a virtual tour of the space. The website also allows visitors to digitally preview the work in their home by uploading an image and “placing” the work in their desired location. Artists seeking representation also have the opportunity to present their work for consideration. For images, click here.
Springboard Arts Chicago is driven by a dynamic female-led team including founder, CEO and President Donna Van Eekeren, the retired Executive Chairman of Land O’Frost and board member of the Lyric Opera, Chicago Shakespeare and WTTW-TV; Vice President of Operations Ann Foley; longtime Art Advisor Susan Blackman, Principal, Art Advisory LTD, and Visual Director Ashley Freeland Miller of AFM Architect (who served as the architect of the gallery), with Tara Jewell providing marketing and social media services.
“Launching a gallery is the fulfilment of a lifelong dream for me,” said Van Eekeren. “We chose the name Springboard Arts very intentionally, as we see our gallery as a vehicle to advance artists into the next chapter of their careers, while also serving as a catalyst for collectors, especially those who may be investing in art for the first time, to discover the work of an artist they truly love. We operate as a team, with our sole focus on making a positive impact on the arts scene, both for artists and our patrons, especially during this time.”
“Having worked in the art field for more than 35 years, I know that the business model has changed,” added Blackman. “The number of established artists seeking representation, including some whose work has been shown at major museums, is immense. There also are many emerging artists who, at Springboard Arts, will be represented for the first time. We carefully curated our list to ensure that any collector can find something that they will treasure for years to come.”
In total, Springboard Arts Chicago currently represents more than 40 artists across mediums including many whose work has been shown in or belongs to the permanent collections of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Chicago Cultural Center, the Long Beach Museum of Art, Carnegie Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, the Whitney Museum of American Art and many more. This includes:
· Painters such as Jeff Stevenson and Mee Shim
· Mixed Media artists including David Gista and Garry Grant
· Sculptors including Peter Zelle, Jill King and Franky Hyder
· Photographers including Gary Justic and Gail Mancuso
· Artists creating works on paper including Kathy Shaw and Jessica Matier
All artist work can be found on the Springboard Arts website.
The gracious venue, originally built as a factory and more recently a retail store, is transformed by architect Ashley Freeland Miller. It will offer a welcoming atmosphere for guests, artists and collectors, with couches for lounging, open spaces to discuss the artwork on view, a complimentary coffee bar, among other convenient amenities. Springboard Arts Chicago has also provided innovative methods for collectors to invest in art with confidence. Thanks to gallery staff and a color-changing wall, collectors can better envision how a piece of art will look in a specific space at a touch of a button. In addition, the Springboard Arts’ website offers collectors the ability to upload a photo of their ideal location for their next piece, and virtually place their desired work “on the wall” to help visualize.
“From the moment a guest sets foot in our doors, we hope they will feel as though they feel at home,” added Vice President of Operations Ann Foley. “For some, art collecting can be an intimidating experience, but not at our gallery. Guests can come in, browse the gallery at their leisure, learn about or perhaps even meet the artists and get a good sense of how a piece might look in their home.”
“The historic building we are renovating for Springboard Arts Chicago is ideally suited for a gallery,” said Architect and Visual Director Ashley Freeland Miller. "With abundant natural light, thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows and a generous open plan, it has ample space for visitors to stand back and regard the work of our talented artists. It also allows for some creative ways to display art that I think will surprise and delight patrons.”
Leading up to the grand opening, Springboard Arts Chicago will host online events and share digital content through Springboard Arts’ social media pages @springboard_chi or @springboard_arts on Instagram. Staff and artist interviews, videos depicting the newly constructed venue, the color-changing installation wall, and a weekly Instagram Live series entitled “Inside the Artists’ Studio” will be available for viewing in anticipation of the Springboard Arts gallery in-person opening. A schedule of events will be announced at a future date
ABOUT SPRINGBOARD ARTS CHICAGO
Springboard Arts Chicago is a brand-new, female-led art gallery located in Chicago’s Wicker Park aimed to encourage, educate and provide opportunity for both creator and collector, seeking to illuminate the impact of art through immersive experiences, inclusive philosophy, and sustainable excellence within the gallery space and in relationships with others. Equipped with a holistic approach to the art world, Springboard Arts strives to make art collection feasible for everyone interested through their new venue, educated and friendly staff, and physical and digital immersive experiences. The gallery is located at 1910 W. North Ave. in Chicago and more information can be found at springboardarts.com.