Patron
What do you mean, "Become a Patron"?
OK, it goes like this, a patron is someone who has a certain amount of enthusiasm for an artist and/or thier work and is interested in supporting that artists career. I would hope that a patron of my art would, at the very least, meet this initial requirement.
Here are some of the things involved in being one of my patrons:
- The patron is included in my newsletter, which keeps him/her informed of my art related activities such as, opening receptions, outdoor exhibitions, awards, social events, current projects, etc...
- Patrons can purchase work directly from me at my studio before it is placed in a gallery, thus saving a considerable portion of the cost.
- If a patron chooses to buy a piece of my work which is in a gallery, I will authorize the gallery to allow a 10% discount from that work which I will settle up with the gallery.
- A patron agrees to send $10 to any amount above that to the artist on a monthly basis. For this, the patron will receive a piece of my art at the end of a year, or at anytime agreed upon by the patron & artist. The piece of art will be comesurate with the amount of money sent to the artist.
- The work of art that the patron will receive will be one that patron & artist have discussed, worked out certain details such as: dimensions, materials theme etc. Major creative latitude being left up to the artist.
- The patron is guaranteed to consider that the piece of art received is fully appreciated and well worth the price paid.
Why become a patron?
The artist/patron relationship is not new, it goes back thousands of years. I feel that it is just as useful now as it was during the renaissance.
It provides the artist with a more steadily regulated cash flow, which is just as valued as rare among artists.This helps the artist to maintain a living without resorting to things like loading trucks, delivering diapers etc...
It enables the artist to have a relationship with the recipients of his/her art.
The patron is actually making time payments on a piece of work from an artist whose work he/she appreciates. The patron saves money.
The patron can take a certain amount of pride in knowing that he/she is helping to cultivate the career of an artist, adding something to the world that may not come to fruition if not for their efforts.
An artist/patron arrangement such as what I propose here is on a 'grass roots" level, very direct, very little bureaucracy. A patron knows, sees and actively participates in, and is rewarded for their expenditure.
Institutions such as the NEA, although benefical, are very top heavy, arbitrary in their decisions and a major portion of their funding goes to administrative costs.
So....take another thoughtful look at my work. If it is something that you can appreciate and support, if you are interested in acquiring some of it, if you are interested in helping to make it possible for me to continue to create, click here to contact me. I'm interested in patrons not investors.
Vito Valenti - August 2007
