09.20.2007 JAYPLAY
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JOURNEYS OF AN ARTIST
The road might be tough but it's worth the wait
As I sit in the middle of 6 Gallery talking with owner Sally Piller about difficulties artists face in obtaining residency in galleries, a man carrying a cd walks in. He glances over at us then starts eyeing the artwork on the walls.
Piller thinks for a minute then asks the man if he is an artist.
He replies that he is a film maker.
"See, everyone is an artist," Piller says to me.
It's practically true. Lawrence is filled with aspiring artists. A person cannot walk into a local coffee shop or restaurant without seeing a showcase of work.
Since the closing of Fields Gallery and Olive Gallery last year, artists have sought out local businesses for help in displaying their artwork and luckily many businesses hold out welcoming arms.
Krystin Vandvort, senior
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printmaker, says it is up to the local businesses to display art. Vandervort displayed her work at The Bourgeois Pig and says that she believes the students at KU have an easier time showcasing their pieces because of their tight student community.
Andrew Jika, junior, couldn't agree more.
He says it's up to the students to have shows. Because of the vast number of students, an art show isn't hard to come by, whether it's at someone's house, a coffee shop or a gallery.
However, some local artists have faced challenges in displaying their art.
Dan Coburn works as a graphic designer in Topeka. He took up photography five years ago and just can't get enough.
Coburn says to be successful as an artist one has to be relentless about showing work.
He continues to market himself in the hopes that someday he will be able to quit his job and support himself by his art sales. Coburn sends press releases and e-mails to local
media to gain recognition.
He also serves as president of the Lawrence Photo Alliance, a membership-based organization for professional and amateur photographers. About 50 people attend the monthly meetings.
Coburn credits persistence to his success thus far.
"I just happened upon photography and just really loved it. It's become an obsession. I can't put my camera down."
Diane Horning, owner of Diane's Artisan Gallery, 801 $\frac{1}{2}$ Massachusetts St., moved to Lawrence and opened her own gallery. Tired of displaying her weaves at art shows, Horning opened her own studio where she showcases her own pieces along with pieces by other local artists.
Horning says that artists have to be passionate about their craft to stick with it. The ones living solely off the sales of their work are either living frugally or are successful.
Yuri Zupancic, a painter, lives the stereotype of the starving artist but loves every minute of it. He says the passion for
creativityandexpressionmakes up for all the hard times.
"What every passionate artist wants is to keep making stuff. However that works in your life you just have to find the niche, finds ways to get by, find sponsors or find joy in poverty."
Zupancic works two jobs to support his lifestyle. He works at Williams Burroughs Communications and does contract work through the Spencer Museum of Art, 1301 Mississippi.
Zupancic says the challenge of living as an artist is living very minimally and without any expectations of the outcome of the art. He says doing whatever it takes is part of the dream of being an artist.
"It's living comfortably, working for a temp agency and donating plasma to make ends meet until you find your market."
Zupancic doesn't concentrate on making money off of his work. If a sale happens it's a bonus. He says he enjoys just having the chance to be an artist and show his work to the world.