Small Bargains

The Mixed Media Gallery exhibits ’30 Art,’ a show of tiny, inexpensive works by anonymous artists.

By: Megan Sullivan

30 Art, on view at the Mixed Media Gallery in Doylestown, Pa., July 1 to Aug. 31, features works 5-by-7-inches or smaller that will sell for $30.

   Perhaps a colored pencil drawing of a Chesapeake fishing boat or a Japanese collage would look nice hanging on your wall. Maybe a black-and-white pen-and-ink of a woman and cat, or a colorful abstract painting.
   When deliberating over an expensive piece of artwork, many factors have to be considered. Will it match the new couch? Is it too small for the living room wall? Is the artist prestigious?
   But if everything you see is only $30, why not buy something just because you like it?

   A new exhibit at Mixed Media Gallery in Doylestown, Pa., explores art for art’s sake and challenges buyers to purchase artwork based on its merit. From July 1 through Aug. 31, 30 Art will feature works from artists of all ages and from all different places. People from the Doylestown area and even far away places like Florida and England have submitted pieces, which had to be 5-by-7-inches or smaller and be sold for $30.
   "We really try to do something here in the summer that anyone can be a part of," says Tom Sperling, co-owner of Mixed Media. "You know, because galleries can kind of have that impenetrable feel. This was just a way to take it in a different direction and have some fun with it."
   Those who decide to make purchases might find that they’ve bought a work by a well-known children’s book illustrator or a locally famous artist who usually sells his or her work for thousands of dollars. Or, they might find they’ve purchased a piece from their neighbor’s kid. There could be a situation where people think they’re buying a famous piece, Mr. Sperling says, and then find out that it’s a work by their newspaper boy.
   He holds up a small plastic bag containing two pieces of art for the exhibit. A comic book artist created the one entry, but his wife, who has never done a piece before, painted the other. "She just wanted to be a part of it. I think it’s charming," Mr. Sperling says as he looks at the watercolor. "I think it’s really nice. If it gets people to do things like that if they haven’t done stuff before, that’s one reason to (have the exhibit)."
   Mr. Sperling, who also is an illustrator, searches through boxes containing artists’ entries. He removes a few items from top-secret envelopes to show what an array of pieces the gallery has received — as long as the identity of the artists didn’t leave the tiny storage closet, of course.
   "She did so much detail and stuff, I can’t believe she let it go for $30," he says, looking at a colorful tile work.
   Mr. Sperling pulls out another piece, a painting done by a well-known artist. "He just did this nice little pretty piece for us and it’s going to be a great deal for someone who gets it," he says, "but they won’t be getting it because of who did it."
   He is so grateful that artists who typically sell their work for a lot of money have submitted pieces they will only get a small amount for. "I’m really surprised how generous people have been."
   The anonymity of each artist will be protected until the piece sells. "We have cards printed up with the artist’s name and when it’s sold, then we will put it up. We’re going to play a little fanfare too. Every artist, I think, in one way wants to be acknowledged."
   Taylor Oughton, an artist who submitted two pieces for the exhibit, says he likes the idea of keeping the artist’s identity secret. "People can look at them and not worry whose it is," he says, "and not worry about the price."
   Mr. Oughton says Mr. Sperling asked him to submit something and he said, "Heck yes." "I’m also 80 years old and looking at a studio that’s piled with all kinds of stuff," he says, laughing.
   Mr. Sperling says he knows of a similar concept held at a London gallery every year, and the fun is really in guessing which artist created each piece. "I was over there in London and people were lining up the day before to be there when it opened," he recalls. "It almost became too big, people kind of stampede in, but I’d always remembered it."
   Unlike the London gallery, however, the buyer doesn’t take the artwork home the day of the sale; it will remain on display for the duration of the exhibit. Mr. Sperling says Mixed Media has received more than 200 pieces to be displayed on ledges around the gallery. They won’t be hanging the artwork as in a traditional show because he wants all pieces to be equal.
   "If we were hanging and had this many pieces, out of necessity you’re going to have pieces way down on the bottom and way up top, this way we’re going to try and keep everything in the center," he says. "So, some first-timer might be displayed next to someone more established."
   Bob Miele, another artist who submitted a piece for the exhibit, says he likes to support Mixed Media because the gallery has created an art boom in the town and he thinks the concept of the exhibit is great. "There will be pieces from people of all walks of life, from the amateur to the professional."
30 Art is on view at the Mixed Media Gallery, 323 S. Main St., Doylestown, Pa., July 1-Aug. 31. Opening reception: July 1, 5-8 p.m. All work may be purchased for $30. Gallery hours: Mon.-Wed., Fri. 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Thurs. 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. noon-4 p.m. For information, call (215) 345-0980. On the Web: www.mixedmediaart.com