ART & DESIGN
Indalacio, Blowing Bubbles 2002, Oil on canvas 24 x 30 inch. Buy art and support Baltimore artists. Image courtesy of Light Street Gallery
ART BUSINESS
On Small Business Saturday, support Baltimore Artists by buying art.
BY KAZAD
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – After the Thanksgiving celebration and eating of turkeys, Americans ventured out on Black Friday to compete in the annual ritual of buying. But even as the buying of gifts continues in anticipation of Christmas, there is great preparation for Small Business Saturday. It is essential to support Baltimore Artists as a way of helping them grow.
Who Buys Original Art?
Who Buys Original Art? This is a question many people have been trying to answer for decades. However, the answer is simple: anyone who loves art can buy art. You do not have to be rich to buy art because there are many young people trying to sell their art. There are also affordable art fairs like. One example is the hungry artists fair held in Baltimore annually.
Why Buy Art
There are many reasons people buy art. Here are a few:
- Support artists in your community
- Art is environmentally friendly
- You love art
- Art can inspire and motivate
- Art can serve as therapy
- You have the pleasure of collection
- Art is an important gift
- Add color to your world
- Art helps set the mood
- To nurture your inner artist
In Baltimore and many other places, there is great hope that people will contribute to keeping small businesses alive by patronizing local stores and galleries. There are many small business stores in Baltimore and they are all gearing up for Small Business Saturday. While everyone is set to shop Baltimore on Small Business Saturday, it is important to also Support Baltimore Artists by buying works of art.
In addition to offering discounts, some of the stores and galleries are also providing other incentives to bring customers to their doors. On Twitter, Facebook, and other social media, the brick and mortar businesses are putting their products and offer before thousands of customers. The Small Business Saturday promotion ideas are endless, leaving customers with many options. Started by American Express which is why many people refer to the day as American Express Small Business Saturday, the Small Business Saturday is expected to bring thousands of dollars to businesses in the Baltimore area this year. People are also expected to Support Baltimore artists and craft makers by buying art and crafts.
Why You Should Support Baltimore Artists
- You are giving back to the community
- Buying from Baltimore artists make you feel good that you are buying from your community
- You are making a major economic impact in the community and life of artists
- Local artists provide better customer service
- You get greater access to a wide range of artistic expression
- Support the local economy
- You create a sense of community
- Helps you avoid the Black Friday frenzy
- Provides more local opportunities for local artists
- Your money stays local
ART NEWS | READ ALSO: Baltimore on Small Business Saturday and Support Local Businesses
As anticipation for this year’s Small Business Saturday continues to grow, there is no doubt that local artists and craft people, galleries, and art stores will benefit immensely from community patronage. If you can not directly go to the stores, many of the artists, crafters, art stores, and art businesses have online stores and can be contacted through their websites.
Buy Art Online: Support Baltimore Artists
Many of the galleries on this list provide an opportunity for collectors to buy art online. Their websites provide the necessary guidance to make online buying easy.
Here is a list of galleries and places to buy art and crafts in Baltimore. Support Baltimore Artists:
Light Street Gallery
Light Street Gallery located in Federal Hill showcases works by emerging and established artist most of who live in Baltimore, Maryland. You can buy paintings, sculptures, prints of original art, and limited edition prints from the gallery. The gallery which recently underwent some renovation presents a conducive atmosphere for all art lovers. When you buy art, you support Baltimore artists
Razzo
This is an art shop like no other. Located in the heart of Baltimore, Razzo is the place to buy one of a kind art pieces created by Tom Matarazzo. A former police officer, Matarazzo has warmed his way into the hearts of collectors with his works. Some of Matarazzo’s creations include handmade trinkets and painted crab oyster shells. But what has brought him greater fame are his framed painted screens with land and water scenes. You can visit his shop to enjoy his outstanding creativity. You can see more of his works on his website and support Baltimore artists.
Psychedelic Art Exchange
For art lovers interested in buying or learning about 1960s Psychedelic Rock Concert Posters this is the place to go. Formed by founded by Scott Tilson and Glen Trosch, who have over 70 years of combined experience in the rare collectibles markets, shopping at the Psychedelic Art Exchange will help the organization grow as well as enhance the opportunity to educate all those interested in the 1960s experience.
SANKOFA
Sankofa, located on Charles Street is the place to truly experience Africa. The store showcases elegant, sophisticated as well as casual fashions from West Africa. It is home to many Africans in Baltimore and all those interested in both traditional and contemporary African fashion. Sankofa also carries jewelry, African textiles, sculpture, wood crafts, and other art forms reflecting the history of the skilled designers, dressmakers, artisans, and others that created the amazing collection of work. The atmosphere in the store is welcoming and there is always someone at hand to educate customers about what they have on sale.
The Book Escape
For those who love books, The Book Escape is the place to go. This is a bookstore that celebrates local writers in a way that brings relevance to their writings. Located both at the southern edge of the Inner Harbor as well as downtown, you will find books by celebrated writers like Laura Lippman, David Simon, best-seller Tom Clancy, Edgar Allan Poe, and many others. Book lovers can get a new and used book at the store, which has very pleasant and well-informed employees that make you feel at home.
Fells Point Gallery
Since its inception in 1980, the Fells Point Gallery has continued to grow, attracting local artists into its fold. A non-profit artist collective, the gallery features the works of over 50 members, including oil paintings, watercolor paintings, sculpture, jewelry, and prints. This is a great place to support Baltimore artists by showing that you love their works. Even if it is just buying a print, every little contribution goes a long way.
Robert McClintock
At the waterfront in the heart of Fells Point is Robert McClintock’s studio and gallery. The Self-taught photographer is celebrated in his community not just because of his outstanding images, but also because he is seen as part of the community which he diligently captures. In his digital photography, McClintock uses Adobe Photoshop editing to create art pieces that have attracted many to his gallery and photography studio. McClintock not only has a great personality, but he is also very welcoming. Support Baltimore artists by buying his digital art and photographs.
Are buying art or craft this Small Business Saturday? Support Baltimore Artists by buying their work. Share your experience. Join the art conversation: Share your thoughts and comments. Add to the story
