Annual Open Studio night goes virtual
Written by Abigail Petipas, Image courtesy of SCAD
For the past 15 years, SCAD has held Open Studio Night, an event where students, faculty and alumni can showcase their artwork for potential buyers. Normally, it would be held in Alexander Hall, where anyone was welcome to view the artwork and enjoy live music and exhibitions. Due to COVID-19 and new safety standards, this event would be hard to host in person, so this year the event is going fully remote.
Taking place Nov. 13-15, this is the second time the art show will be presented in an online format. During the summer of 2020, the first Open Studio Online was held, allowing submitted artwork to still be presented and giving any art enthusiasts the ability to view the work without fear of potentially catching the virus. SCAD-affiliated artists ranging from illustrators, photographers, printmakers, sculptors and painters were still given the ability to submit their work to be chosen and showcased despite the circumstances.
The pivot to a virtual event has opened many new opportunities, allowing the artwork to be showcased worldwide on the online platform.
“Our pivot to a virtual event this past summer provided the opportunity for a larger platform for our talented emerging artists and the ability to reach a vast network of patrons beyond Savannah and Atlanta,” said Victoria Gildersleeve, SCAD Art Sales Associate Director. Features were also added onto the mobile platform to allow guests to view how an artwork might look in their home before they purchase it.
The switch to online in the summer was hugely successful, with a portion of the proceeds going to the SCAD student relief fund, which helps students with financial needs. Due to the first event’s turnout, SCAD Art Sales has decided to go forward with the second event this fall, using a similar format.
Submissions for this show were due by Oct. 4. Students, faculty and alumni were welcomed to submit their sculptures, paintings, photography, prints and illustrations to be judged and potentially accepted by the SCAD Art Sales team. Artists could submit multiple pieces to be judged. All of the artwork that is accepted and sold is later shipped by the artists and delivered to SCAD by Nov. 25, so the art can be sent to the buyers.
The accepted work can then be viewed through the SCAD Art Sales platform, which offers guests worldwide an opportunity to browse the expansive art selection presented. Anyone who attends the event should head to the website Nov. 13-15. Students or guests who want more information on the event can subscribe to the SCAD Art Sales newsletter on their website or follow them on Instagram.
Despite the current circumstances, new and established artists will still be able to showcase their work in a safe environment so it can be enjoyed by all.
