Steve Martin Fine Art Information

Founded in 1993 Steve Martin Studio has brought a unique vision to the art community of New Orleans. The site for the gallery was chosen in response to the increased public programming and popularity of the New Orleans Arts District and its nearby vicinity to the French Quarter and downtown area. In its 15 years of operation, what began as a studio space for owner/artist Steve Martin, Steve Martin Studio has burgeoned into a recognized art institution. With more than 96 shows, representing more than 150 local, national, and international artists, Steve Martin Studio has supported site-specific works featuring photography, video, sculpture, drawing, painting and digital media. Steve Martin Studio Concept Space plans an exhibition schedule of at least 6 shows per year. The gallery seeks diversity in its programming and embraces submissions that utilize materials and concepts both inside and outside the bounds of traditional art. Submissions are reviewed by a committee, and are generally submitted at least four months in advance. Artists from around the world may apply for exhibition. For at least two shows per season, Steve Martin Studio Concept Space seeks to unite local artist with national or international artist through either a juried competition or guest curated shows. An integral component in the objectives of the gallery, this program is threefold in purpose. First, it serves to attract national or international artists to New Orleans, and to expose the community to experimental art projects from a diversity of cultural backgrounds. Second, the program intensifies the experience of the national or international artists: as they show alongside local artists, these artists experience the community on a local level. This provides the artists expanded access to local resources and allows the artist to build a relationship with the community. Finally, the program furthers the experience of the local artist. In showing with an artist of similar interests or background from outside New Orleans, the local artist develops a knowledge and relationship with artists of other art communities, thereby gaining access to art communities outside New Orleans. A converted row-house, located in one of the Thirteen Sisters on Julia Street in the Heart of the New Orleans Art District, Steve Martin Studio Concept Space offers several rooms of exhibition. The main exhibition venue is approximately xxxx square feet, and the project room is xxxx square feet. The interior is comprised of white walls standing twelve feet tall, with bright, even lighting, typical historic architectural elements and details, whitewashed cypress flooring and large historic styled windows and doors. Beyond the physical presentation space, the Steve Martin Galleries website will be a vital accompaniment to the exhibitions and creates an additional exhibition space preserving and presenting with increased public accessibility the accomplishments of the gallery and its exhibitions. The website is constantly expanding, and submissions are welcomed continually. Steve Martin Studio Concept Space seeks to promote the practices of contemporary artists from the local, national and international scenes. The multidisciplinary program will comprise exhibitions, lectures and meetings with artists, in addition to art publication activity and the production of thematic projects and new artworks. Its aims are to present a calendar of activities that facilitate critical discussion and reflection within the community. Once a year a selection committee will choose from projects submitted by artists or curators, while other projects will be generated by invitation. Each project is given the support required for its achievement. Steve Martin Studio Concept Space offers a broad platform for ideas. By taking on curators, sponsors, and contributors from other horizons Steve Martin Studio Concept Space allows a greater number of artists, collectors, and the viewing public access to enjoy the benefits of its resources thereby extending debates on contemporary art to a wider audience. In proposing new ways of exhibiting artwork, Steve Martin Studio Concept Space questions various means and attitudes towards art dissemination. Thematic projects initiated and produced by the staff stimulate exploratory artistic creation and facilitate the development of critical thinking through lectures and publicity they receive. Our goal in creating such activities is to serve as a focal point where the broader public, artists, curators, collectors and researchers visiting and from the New Orleans area and elsewhere can experience dynamic encounters and discussions around contemporary art.