Artist seeks new Studio in San Jose
I am an artist that works in many mediums and is looking to start a studio. I recently lost my job of 13 years in the manufacturing industry and with no available jobs in my area, am ready to pursue my dream of opening my own studio and making art full time. I have two hernias and am having a hard time trying to find a new job, although I am still looking. As of currently, I am at risk of losing my apartment as well.
This is my dream and I would like to pursue it.
My goal is to raise funds to start my full time art career and open my studio which will be called, "Art in Progress". I have scoped out some locations in San Jose, California, and the rent is very high. The high cost of Silicon Valley is why I have put such a large goal on my funding amount. It may possibly be a live / work environment if I can find such accommodations available.
I intend for my gallery / studio to be a place where all artist can have a chance to show their work. Besides my own art and a regular monthly / bi-monthly featured show, I will have an area where artist who wish to show for just the day can hang their work and sell it without having to pay a commission.
Other plans for the space are to have a spot for groups from Meetup.com, including my own group, "South Bay UFO Enthusiast" to meet free of charge, provide spaces for artist to sit and paint while people watch them as part of art education and possible school field trips to the space to see professional artist in action. I would of course pay the artist who are part of any educational or school trip related exhibition.
As well as creating a space for artist, I will also encourage patrons to support local establishments, such as food and other local businesses in the area. Synergy is very important in this type of community.
I wish to add to the already incredible art community in San Jose, California. I also have some family in this area and plan to stay around here, so I do not want to relocate in order to create this establishment.
I would like to raise funds for local charities through Gallery shows and Auctions once it is open and create a space for creatives to come hang out during regular art events. Although I am asking for a high amount in donations, I hope to return much more value back to the community.
I will also be using the space as my studio and will be creating my art there. This will give me a chance to fully realize the extent of my own talent and creative abilities. As of now, I have a large portfolio of medium to small size art that has always been created in a rush while balancing my work and art careers. This will give me a chance to work on larger pieces and expand the amount of attention given to each piece.
I have been interested in becoming an artist since I was a small child. I focused on Art in high school and took five years of Art in Junior college, but never receive a degree. This was because I was in a transitional period of moving out of my parents home and into the world of being a renter. My full job conflicted with my school and I had to put my education on hold, (thinking it to be temporary) to be a part of the work force. Now 13 years later I am pursuing my dream. I have been showing my art in some local galleries and also curating art shows in small local venues, since 2010.
One of my best aspects is my ability to create many different styles of art. My art can be weird and scary or fine and bright. I do not like to pigeon hole myself to one genre or medium.
You can see more of my art at:
www.Anthonybarbaria.com
You can get prints from my Deviant art page: click here.
I hope to have, "Art in Progress" open within a year from now, if not sooner. I have had the idea for it since high school and would like to see it fulfilled. I do not want to apply for an government type, tax funded, Arts grant, because so many other galleries already are.
I wish for funding from people who genuinely wish to support the arts and my vision. If you are reading this, then you may be someone who would like to help out artist and donate.
The money should be a chosen option from the donor and not taken from taxes that could go elsewhere for better use.
The same for myself. I hope that some people are kind enough to help fund my venture, but I know that there are a lot of people on "Go Fund Me" who are in real need of funding for medical and disaster reliefs too, and they should have priority.
If you would like to help me, but cannot afford to donate, there are other options available:
You can get prints from my Deviant art page: click here.
Or buy my short stories and poetry Ebooks
(between 99 cents and $1.99):
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/anthonybarbaria