A Minute with ATLA
Hi! This is a newsletter about artists I like.
I began acquiring art through some friends who worked in galleries. I started small, working on a limited budget for stuff I could afford. As time passed, my collection grew, and it was exciting to watch many of the artists I'd collected go on to bigger shows and critical acclaim. My goal with this newsletter is to make a digestible resource for anyone interested in artists making excellent (and still affordable!) work whom you haven't heard about... yet.
I came across Jenny Blumenfield’s gallery from several artists posting their work along with others and was impressed with the vast array of such artists for a group show. Some personal favorites include but are not limited to, Grant Lucero, Stanley Edmondson, Roger Herman (I bought a cup), and Julia Haft Candell. I wanted to hear more about this great show and the future of Jenny’s gallery, ATLA.
Can you chat about how and why you started a gallery?
JHB: My training is mainly in Ceramics, having graduated from RISD in the material and worked in NY as a Studio Manager and Fabricator for many artists. A few years post-college graduation, I worked for an auction house and gallery before migrating back to the studio side of the arts. I've long wanted to bridge my love of clay and broaden the public conversations surrounding the material. Hence, ATLA was born!
Why cups? And how challenging was it to get such an incredible roster of artists to offer works?
JHB: There's a long history of the cup acting as a playful canvas for artistic expression. Our recent cup show, Aesthetics of Everyday Objects: The Cup, was inspired by Betty Asher, a prominent collector, curator, and dealer who, after passing, donated her collection of over 100 cups to LACMA. Garth Clark, an early champion of Contemporary Ceramics, also held many cup shows to celebrate this domestic object. These considerations made it undeniable to have a cup show that elevates this humble form's sculptural and conceptual potential.
What's next for the gallery?
JHB: We'll have a fascinating two-person ceramic exhibition featuring the works of Japan-based artist Ricca Okano and New York-based artist Chelsey Pettyjohn.
What does a typical day look like for you?
JHB: I balance my time between my tasks and the things that keep me curious and inspired: studio visits, reading, writing, researching, and addressing my long list of to-do's.
For our readers who don’t live in a big city, what advice/resources would you recommend better to educate themselves on contemporary art in a nonintimidating way?
JHB: I always suggest familiarizing yourself with the local curated art guides that announce upcoming exhibitions. It's a great way to get introduced to the artists in your local galleries and start showcasing an understanding of what you gravitate towards.
Who should we have next?
JHB: The fabulous Art Advisor Nancy Gamboa.
What I plan on buying….
A new publication by the great Peter Shear - More info HERE.
What I want to buy….
The entire furniture line by Desmar