The Beacon Art Postcard Archive continues...

The Beacon Art Postcard Archive (BAPA) has been resting on the back - way back - burner for awhile now.  However, I recognize the need - if I expect to have this project reach it's potential of documenting the moment of art in Beacon, NY for the past 10+ years and moving forward, I have to be able to capture this material while it's available - so there's no time to waste.

So, what is this BAPA, you might be asking.  The goal of BAPA is to collect the ephemera relating to exhibits and projects that happen in Beacon, NY (and it's near environs) and also track the activities of the artists who are a part of the artistic community of Beacon, NY - whether they are residents of Beacon, NY or live in it's near environs.

So what are we talking about?  We're looking for the physical material that related to exhibits/projects and artist promotion:

• postcards
• flyers
• brochures
• business cards
• posters
• printed artist statements... 
• digital versions of material
• exhibition checklists/ price lists
• ANY thing that might fit this bill, we'll consider.

If you are an art venue in Beacon, NY, or an artist involved in Beacon, NY, we would very much appreciate you donation of a copy of any such material.  For the artists in the area, we are interested in all of the material you have relating to any of your artistic activities - within Beacon or outsided of it - we simply ask that the material coincides with the time in which you have been living or part of the community in Beacon.

One of the goals is to have the material digitized and made part of a fully indexed, cross referenced, searchable website that will document the moment, so digital forms of this material is welcome too (it will save us the effort of scanning or photographing).  However, we are heartily interested in the physical material.  This physical material speaks to one of the most basic levels of self publishing - one that is even now diminishing as more and more of this type of promotion is remaining in it's digital state for digital distribution and not making it into a physical form.

Ultimately, the goal is to donate this material to the Beacon Historical Society.

So, how can you get involved, or participate? 

If you are an artist in the area and are interested, shoot me an email at info[at]maykr.com  and I'll hook you up with a BAPA envelope in which to collect your material, and we can make the transfer. 

If you happen to have material from any of the art galleries and venues that are no longer around, that is very much appreciated.  We still have known holes we're looking to fill dating back to about 2002 (and before).
 
BAPA has lived in a box for the past several years, mostly residing at bau.  Although now it's living here at Kamp Maykr in the hopes that I might be able sort through the material at my leisure.  I expect we can locate another collection box at bau in the near future.

Lastly, you can help by spreading the word.  If you're among the folks who have donated material already, thanks so much.  Just remember that this project is ongoing, so your more recent material is welcome.

Please spread the word that this project exists and we are seeking material.  If you know of artists who are new to the area, let them know that they can start donating material and be included in this archive.

The Beacon Art Postcard Archive continues...

Thanks to everyone who has added postards to the Beacon Art Postcard Archive. When I went over to add some more myself, I saw that there were many that have come in. It's been great to be reminded of shows from three to five years ago. As we get further on, I may post a couple of images here and there of some memorable shows.....

If you've added some cards, drop me a line and let me know, I'd like to list everyone that is contributing to the archive.

Thus far contributors to the archive are: Van Brunt Gallery, Thomas Huber, Franc Palaia, Tony Moore, pearldaddy, Open Space, Go North, Hermitage, bau

We've started filling in holes that exist in prior years from 2007 back. We need assistance tracking down cards from galleries in Beacon that have closed, such as LoRiver Arts, Collaborative Concepts, Kiesendahl & Calhoun, The Beacon Project Space, Exposures Beacon, Wildwood Gallery, EcoArt Space, Minetta Brook, Freshman Fine Arts, Mart, Finders Keepers and any others that are escaping me.

Also, if you're an artist with postcards that relate to shows in which you've participated outside of the area, and coincide with your time in the Beacon sphere, please pass those along as well as it offers a more extensive image of artists working and living in this area.

This an ongoing project. If you have some cards you'd like to contribute, let me know via email, or simply drop them off at bau.

Beacon Art Postcard Archive

Maykr.com, in cooperation with bau, is initiating the Beacon Art Postcard Archive.

The printing of postcards has long since become de rigeur in the process of putting together an exhibition, and in away represents a very simple form of self publishing. Taken as a whole, over a period of time these artifacts, which tend to linger in disheveled collections on coffee shop and gallery windowsills well beyond the exhibition dates, create a physical record of the temporal flow of creative activity in a community. The intent of the Art Postcard Archive is to gather these promotional pieces together and create an historical record of the artistic activities in Beacon and Surrounding Areas. The parameters of the archive are a bit fuzzy right now, allowing for flexibility. Essentially, the collection will focus on all art exhibitions and events that have taken place in Beacon, and in the immediate area as well as exhibitions and events in areas further afield that include local artists, and those involved in the creative community in and around Beacon, NY. In addition to postcards, the archive will accept small flyers or similar material.

If you have operated a gallery in Beacon, if you are an artist living, working, showing art in and around Beacon with postcards promoting shows you've had here and elsewhere concurrent to your connection to Beacon, we'd appreciate the donation of a single copy for the archive. The archive will take the form of a box that will initially be housed at the Beacon Artist Union at 161 Main St. with postcards arranged chronologically. We intend the archive to remain an open source record, that, eventually, will be donated to the Beacon Historical Society. Adding current material to the archive is obviously easier than gathering older materials so we are interested in collecting any postcards from previous years and would appreciate any assistance in gathering material from past exhibits. If you'd like more information or if you have questions, contact me at info(at)maykr.com.

If you have postcards to add to the archive, feel free to drop them off at bau, or contact me directly. Also, if you have any questions or would like more information shoot me an email.