Online Exhibit Format a Great Success
Thanks to a rewarding partnership between Southern California Artists Painting for the Environment (SCAPE) and the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum (SBMM), SCAPE artists were given an opportunity to exhibit and sell their paintings through a Virtual Art Exhibit and Sale featured on SBMM’s website. Although a repeat of last year’s successful on-site show at the museum had been planned for this year, it had to be canceled due to the pandemic. Thus the 2020 exhibit, which was part of SBMM’s celebration of its 20th anniversary, was moved to a pioneering online format.
SBMM provided the expertise and venue for producing the exhibit, for which over 150 paintings were submitted by SCAPE artists. Kevin Gleason, a well-known local artist, educator and SCAPE member, juried the show. Greg Gorga,SBMM’s Executive Director, supervised the undertaking, aided by SBMM’s Jane Lindsey, Director of Development, and Rita Serotkin, Marketing and PR Coordinator. Dennis Schuett, Graphic Designer, and Eric Petersen (from Mission Web Marketing) worked on the online purchasing platform.
“SBMM is proud to partner with SCAPE again this year, especially with this being our first fully online art show,” said Greg Gorga. “On behalf of SBMM and all the people we serve throughout our community, we want to thank SCAPE and the artists for their support -- the show is full of amazing maritime artwork. And of course, thanks to those who have purchased the art for supporting SBMM and our local artists.”
Thirty-four paintings were sold, generating gross sales of over $25,000, netting over $12,000 for SCAPE artists, who received 50% of net sales, $9,000 for SBMM, which received 40% of the sales as a donation, and over $1600 for SCAPE, to help cover its expenses.
Rita Serotkin commented: "As the mother and daughter of artists, it was my great pleasure to help promote the SCAPE Art Show...and it was easy with so many beautiful paintings to publicize. I also enjoyed interacting with some of the artists through email, and I look forward to meeting them in person in the future."
Natalie Wilson, SCAPE Exhibits Chair, provided the extensive coordination needed between SBMM and the artists, with the help of Carrie Givens, SCAPE President. “I think selling 34 paintings is remarkable for a virtual online art show,” said Natalie. “Thanks to everyone helping to make the 20th Anniversary Show at the Maritime Museum so successful. I want to thank all the SCAPE members who came through entering their beautiful paintings. The Museum staff were wonderful to work with setting up and presenting the artwork on their website, taking care of sales, and putting notices and ads in Facebook, the Independent, and in the Museum’s newsletter. Cheryl Fontana generated a lovely postcard/invitation sent to our members and patrons. A big thank you goes to our juror, Kevin Gleason, for his time and expertise, and also to our President, Carrie Givens, for her help and guidance. I know we all miss the excitement of a physical show, but I’m happy that we could make this type of exhibit work out so well.”
