Supporting Art at Limited Edition

June 5, 2015

An artists forum presented by Crooked Tree Arts Center in Traverse City last winter started an idea percolating in Katie Brines’ mind. A grant award brought the idea to the boiling point for the Petoskey artist who works in abstract painting and ceramics. Today, a finished product is waiting at the new Limited Edition space in downtown Petoskey, a place where artists can gather to share and showcase their work.

ROOM FOR A VIEW

"The idea for Limited Edition really came from a personal need for community, collaboration and experimentation that I – and many other local artists – feel, as people choosing to live in northern Michigan," Brines explained.

At the forum, she added, she was one of only a few younger artists in a room of more than 80 people. The view, from Brines point of view, simply seemed unbalanced.

"I began wondering where the artists in their 20s to 40s were, and how we could get people my age [29] to participate and have a voice," she said.

FORTUNATE OPPORTUNITY 

A few days after the forum, CTAC Executive Director Liz Ahrens forwarded a grant opportunity from the State of Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) to Brines. It was specifically aimed at 18-35-year-olds interested in mentoring others of similar age through creative programming.

"I immediately thought of doing a creative multi-use space," Brines said.

Realizing that she didn’t have the skills to pull it together on her own, she reached out to artist friends, including local photographer Kristen Koehler. The two quickly put together a Kickstarter campaign to raise the necessary matching funds for the grant.

"Over many emails, we got everything together in just two weeks to meet the grant deadline," Brines said.

WORKING IT OUT 

With funds at the ready, Brines was now able to rent a space in downtown Petoskey, utilizing the rest of the award to create subsidized workshops as the starter offerings at Limited Edition.

"So, for $5 or $10, someone can come in and learn to do something that would normally cost $50-75," she explained.

Some of the workshops thus far include paper-making (with Jon Anthony), stencilmaking (with Angelo Santini) and shibori dyeing (with Laurie Hunt), but that’s only the beginning.

"We’ll have about 10 workshops throughout the summer, led by our artists, and because of the match funds, we can afford to purchase materials, pay our artists for their time and give the public a chance to participate in something fun," Brines said.

ART VS. MONEY 

Artists with existing work will also have the opportunity to sell their wares in Limited Edition’s shop. Several are already showing their art, which includes photography, ceramics, jewelry, blown glass, graphics and art installations.

"We’re doing consignment, with 70 percent going to the artists and 30 percent toward operations," Brines explained. "We also hope to do a "˜zine publication, which may require additional fundraising."

It’s all part of Limited Editions’ goal to focus on the people making the art.

"We want to start talking about what it means to, not only value art as a culture, but what it really takes to support our local artists," she added.

BOHEMIAN TIMES 

Another unique aspect of Limited Edition is its name, reflecting the fleeting Bohemian nature of the space itself.

This year, the space will only be open from June to September, as Brines and her team determine if the space is needed and can sustain itself year round.

While art is the focus, Brines said she realized that artists need to find a way to balance making that art with paying the bills, and Limited Edition needs to pay its bills too.

"Currently, we’re a business, not a nonprofit," she said. "Yet, at the same time, we have a social message, with our first priority being to make opportunities for artists to support and sustain themselves here."

MAKING MOMENTUM 

Open to the public five days a week, Limited Edition’s schedule will also include free mentorship talks and weekly life drawing sessions (workshop attendees must register ahead of time and space is limited).

"We want to expose northern Michigan to more types of art and, while it may look differently than the styles synonymous with the region so far, the quality is that of which you might see in any art hub," Brines said.

"Kristen and I are most excited about the community that is being created around Limited Edition. We hope to continue this momentum through the summer and into the future."

Limited Edition is located at 435 E. Mitchell Street in downtown Petoskey. To learn more, call 231-881-0350 or visit limitededitionpetoskey.com or their Facebook page.