The one to watch -- stream it today!
This is it, y’all, this right here: the art documentary series I’m in is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video!
Nearly a year ago, I was interviewed for the Seattle episode of “The Story of Art in America.” The series takes an in-depth look at artists producing work outside the New York art scene. You might remember the video shoot was at the Northwest African American Museum (NAAM). You — yes, you — voted for me in NAAM’s social media contest to select an artist to represent Seattle’s Black community.
Photo credit: Legit Productions
Would you be willing to help me one more time? I’d like you to go to Amazon Prime Video and leave an honest review of the Seattle episode:
Watch episode 10 of “The Story of Art in America”
Go to the video listing on Amazon Prime Video
Scroll down and click on the “Write a customer review” button
Please keep it simple and to-the-point (Amazon deletes overly positive reviews)
Ask your friends/ family/ followers to do the same: watch the episode, then write an Amazon Prime Video review.
It’s a lot like reviewing a book on Goodreads or Amazon: the more reviews, the more likely people will see the docuseries — and the first weeks are crucial to getting the word out. Enjoy, and remember to tell other viewers what you think about it!
Put a bid on it
Auctioneers astonish and confuse me, but I stand in awe of the bidders. How can they tell what the auctioneer’s even saying? Did I just buy a bridge in Brooklyn or something? Can’t I just bid and pay?
Why, yes, yes you can,… at the Artist Trust online auction. Last time I checked the site, two people were bidding on the collage I donated for this fundraiser. In an ordinary year, the auction is Artist Trust’s main source of funding for grants and other resources artists need. Once the pandemic struck, though, Artist Trust redirected their funds into emergency cash grants for artists. You remember how dire the need was last year, don’t you? Those grants were a lifesaver for some Washington state artists.
Supporters bid on artworks at the 2019 Artist Trust auction gala. Photo credit: Andre Ruth
Usually, a live auction follows a silent auction/ cocktail party. But because of pandemic gathering restrictions, the event’s become a month-long silent auction you can attend in your pajamas. If you’re in a position to do so, please find something you like and bid on it now — and keep checking your bid. Remember, no auctioneer this year to tell you if the artwork is yours… and my collage is only going to get more expensive from here on out.
We've got unfinished business, you and me
As the philosopher said, “unfinished business always comes back to haunt you.” How about we put something to rest, while giving new life to something else?
This was the collage I’d hoped you could bid on in March 2020, during the annual Artist Trust auction gala. But of course you couldn’t, because… COVID-19. However! Now you can bid on “Common Ground” at the online art auction! The kick-off party happens Thursday, April 8th.
As always, Artist Trust splits the final auction price with the artist who donated the piece; they fund their grants, workshops and other artist resources with their auction proceeds. Even if the pandemic has snuffed out your party mood, you can still donate in other ways — and your gift may help sustain the artists’ lives as well as their careers.