Locust Projects
Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Locust Projects [1] is a non-profit exhibition space located in Miami, Florida. The space was created in 1998 by three artists Westen Charles, COOPER and Elizabeth Withstandley. The space was created to serve as a place for contemporary artists to create site specific works outside of the commercial gallery system. Locust Projects was one of the first spaces to open in Miami's Wynwood area, which has since turned into a vibrant arts district. In 2000 the artist run space became incorporated, formed a board of directors and in 2002 became an official not for profit 501(3)(C).
Contents
History
Beginnings
Westen Charles, COOPER and Elizabeth Withstandley met at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY in the early 1990s. After undergraduate school the three kept in touch and in the late 1990s they discussed starting an artist run exhibition space in Miami, Florida. At the time, Miami had a small art community and didn’t have much to offer in the way of exhibition spaces. During a meeting in Tuscaloosa, Alabama in 1997, the three discussed calling the space Locust Projects. After COOPER and Elizabeth Withstandley received their MFA’s from The University of Alabama they headed to Miami to meet up with Westen Charles who was finishing up his graduate degree at The University of Miami. In 1998 the three found a warehouse in an area of Miami called Wynwood, a then dilapidated and forgotten area of Miami. They rented a 3500-squarefoot warehouse at 105 NW 23rd Street, across from a Salvation Army rehabilitation center, nestled between a bus yard and an empty lot. With their own funds they renovated the warehouse which had previously been used as a wood shop for a custom woodworking business.
Early exhibitions
In the spring of 1999, Westen Charles inaugurated the space with its first show called “Pigs and Lint”. In late 1998 and early 1999, the founders contacted artists and invited them to exhibit in the space which began the first few years of programming. They also advertised an open call to artists to submit proposals. From the open call and from contacting artists that they felt should show in Miami they selected artist such as Tatiana Garmendia, LOIS (a Canadian artist collaborative group), Miami based artist David Rohn, Ilona Malka Rich and Randy Moore. They invited artists that wouldn’t have otherwise exhibited in Miami due to the lack of non-commercial spaces. Since the Wynwood area was essentially an abandoned neighborhood they hired off duty police officers for all of the gallery openings. After the first few years they expanded the space to enable two-person shows. During that time supporters in the community discussed ways they could help the artist-run space and provided guidance on how to create a lasting institution. Dennis & Debra Scholl suggested that the organization should form a Board of Directors and file to become an official not-for-profit 501c3. Dennis Scholl served as the first Director of the board. [2]
Mid 2000s
With support from the Andy Warhol Foundation, Locust Projects was able to bring on its first full-time direction since its inception, Claire Breukel. Claire was the director of the space from 2006-2009. During this time artists such as Clifton Childree, Graham Hudson, Kate Gilmore and the TM Sisters exhibited at Locust Projects. In 2009, Claire decided to leave the organization and pursue other art administration opportunities. The organization received major support from The Andy Warhol Foundation in 2006.
2009 and beyond
After Claire's departure in 2009, Chana Budgazad Sheldon became Locust Projects second full-time director. Locust Projects moved from its original NW 23rd street location in 2009 to NE 38th Street in the Design District. Locust Projects is currently located in an area just north of Wynwood, in Miami's Design District at 3852 North Miami Ave.
Programs
LAB (Locust Arts Builders)
LAB is a program in which a select group of high school students living in South Florida are given the opportunity to create a group exhibition. Students collaborate in conceiving and producing an original artwork and/or installation under the professional advisement of contemporary artist, Monica Lopez de Victoria of the TM Sisters collaborative. The project is developed and exhibited in Locust Projects' Design District gallery, and includes a public opening reception. The goal is to promote contemporary art and project -based learning as a means to encourage creativity, critical analysis, and problem solving, while building communication skills. This invaluable opportunity allows young artists to learn the practical and exciting aspects of creating a public exhibition in collaboration with their peers.[3]
Out of the Box
Out of the Box is an experimental public art project that increases exposure to contemporary art by sponsoring projects in public locations throughout Miami. The program launched with the Billboard Project in December 2010, for which internationally renowned artist Liam Gillick was commissioned to produce artwork for billboards, bus shelters and bus backs surrounding Miami’s Design District and Miami Beach. Since then exhibiting artists have included Agustina Woodgate, Anya Kielar, John James Anderson, Nicole Eisenman and Carlos Rigau. The project aims to challenge the bus shelter as a tool for commercial advertising while giving artists an opportunity to reconsider their own working methods.
Locust Talks
Locust Talks lecture series hosts visiting curators from innovative institutions across the country and internationally for public lectures at the gallery space followed by individual studio visits with local artists, fostering a rigorous critical dialogue about art in the community.
Roundtables
Locust Projects presents an ongoing series of roundtable discussions on topics in contemporary art proposed and moderated by members of the art community in Miami and beyond. Locust Roundtables are free and open to the public.
Events
One Night Stands
In collaboration with local Miami venues such as Bardot, Southstreet and Ricochet, One Night Stands has attracted a following of Miami’s millennials and trendsetters that come back for more than just one night.
Smash & Grab
Each year, the Smash & Grab event brings contemporary artists and collectors together to help support Locust Projects. The “Smash and Grab” event is Locust Projects’ largest source of revenue for the year. The proceeds provide essential funding for programming and special projects. The event revolves around a raffle, for which over one hundred local, national and international artists have donated artwork — enough so that each raffle ticket is guaranteed to win an artwork. Tickets are drawn at random during the party, with the winner getting their choice of artwork (i.e., first called gets first pick, and so on). The result is a fun way to place artwork into collections, connect with Miami’s art community, and support the organization. [4]
Spring Fling
Spring Fling is an annual fundraiser, which takes place on the seventh floor of Miami Beach’s sexy Herzog & De Meuron-designed parking garage, the 1111 Lincoln Road building. The event includes a silent art and luxury auction, delicious treats from Miami restaurants, drink and dance. 2013 artists included works from internationally renowned artists such as Daniel Arsham, Hernan Bas, Nathan Carter, Francesca DiMattio, Jon Pylypchuk, Retna, Cristina Lei Rodriguez and Jim Drain. [5]
Artists
Locust Projects has exhibited local, national and international artists such as COOPER, Gregory Green, Phil Collins, Alex Bag, Kori Newkirk, Julie Kahn, Jason Hedges, Liam Gillick, Jim Drain, Ruben Ochoa, Meredyth Sparks, Theaster Gates, Jillian Mayer, Adam Putnam, Hannah Whitaker, Jacin Giordano, Emmett Moore, TYPOE, Agustina Woodgate, Marie Lorenz, Andy Coolquitt, Valerie Hegarty, Leyden Rodriguez-Casanova, Francesca DiMattio, Loriel Beltran, Allison Bouganim and many more.
References
External links
- Official website
- Youtube.com
- Saltyeggs.com
- Miami.cbslocal.com
- Miamiherald.com
- Tropicult.com
- Miami.com
- Wlrn.org
- Blogs.miaminewtimes.com
- Ka.uvuvideo.org
