At the South Street Gallery in Greenport, owner Amy Worth is busy preparing small wood panels for an art show and sale that has become a popular annual event.
About a dozen years ago, Worth got the idea to host an art show/fundraiser featuring small works created in a 10 by 10 inch format.
“Well, I can’t take credit for the idea of having a small works show,” said Worth. “But it was my idea to make it a 10×10=100 concept, meaning that the works would be 100 square inches and sell for $100.”
The gallery keeps $25 and the rest is split between the artist and the North Fork Environmental Council, a non-profit that increases public awareness of key environmental and quality of life issues in our area.
Worth supplies a 10 by 10 inch cradled birch panel to artists at no cost, and asks them to create whatever their hearts desire using paints, pastels, collage or even mosaic.
“One year we had an artist cut the panel into pieces and reconstruct it,” she said. “It’s up to the artist how they want to handle the work.”
This year’s show will be the gallery’s eleventh and Worth hopes it will be the biggest yet.
“We usually have about 150 artists,” she said. “It’s been growing every year.”
And participating artists are not just from the North Fork, she said.
“We have one artist who lives in China,” she said. “He was a grad student at Long Island University and his professor would provide panels to his class. The artist has continued to participate even after returning to China.”
NFEC president Susan MacKenzie said that the council is very appreciative of the annual donation, which is used to fund a speaker series and cover operating costs.
“We are so grateful to the South Street Gallery and to all the artists who participate,” said MacKenzie. “It’s a wonderful event, always a lot of fun.”
The 10×10 Art Show and Sale will hold a preview on Dec. 1 at the monthly Greenport Gallery Walk. The sale begins on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. and runs through Dec. 24.
Boards may be picked up at the gallery on weekends between 12 and 5 p.m. or you may contact the NFEC. Artists may submit up to three works. The first board is free; the second and third boards cost $7 each to help cover costs.
The South Street Gallery is located at 18 South Street in Greenport. (631) 477-0021
