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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAcceptance Agreement for Display of Artwork in IPG - Ian SmithACCEPTANCE AGREEMENT: DISPLAY OF ARTWORK IN INITIAL POINT GALLERY, MERIDIAN CITY HALL This ACCEPTANCE AGREEMENT: DISPLAY OF ARTWORK IN INITIAL POINT GALLERY, MERIDIAN CITY HALL ("Agreement") is made on the 2v%A day of x, 2016 ("Effective Date"), by and between the City of Meridian, a municipal corporation organized under the laws of the State of Idaho ("City"), and Ian Smith, an individual person ("Artist"). (City and Artist may hereinafter be collectively referred to as "Parties.") WHEREAS, the City desires that public art will be a component of Meridian City Hall and to that end, the Meridian Arts Commission issued the Call to Artists attached hereto as Exhibit A, seeking proposals for the display of artwork in Initial Point Gallery, an art gallery on the third floor of Meridian City Hall, the address of which is 33 E. Broadway Ave., Meridian, Idaho ("Initial Point Gallery"); WHEREAS, in response to the Call to Artists, Artist did submit a proposal, comprised of the materials attached hereto as Exhibit B ("Proposal"), for the display of artwork in Initial Point Gallery; WHEREAS, on November 12, 2015, the Meridian Arts Commission ("Commission") reviewed the responses to the Call to Artists, selected Artist's work for display based on the Proposal, and recommended to the Meridian City Council that Artist's artwork, as depicted in the Proposal, be displayed in Initial Point Gallery; WHEREAS, at its regular meeting on December 1, 2015, the Meridian City Council adopted such recommendation and directed the Commission to work with Artist to establish a display of Artist's artwork in Initial Point Gallery; and WHEREAS, the Parties acknowledge that Meridian City Hall is primarily a place of public business, that Initial Point Gallery is a public place, and that while the City seeks to encourage artistic expression and public dialogue, the City must simultaneously ensure that Meridian City Hall is a place where citizens, employees, and visitors of diverse ages and perspectives feel welcome and comfortable; NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged and agreed, and in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants herein contained, the Parties agree as follows: I. SCOPE OF SERVICES. Artist shall personally deliver to Initial Point Gallery, on July 1, 2016, at such time as is specified by the Arts & Culture Specialist, artwork which shall substantially conform to the description of such artwork set forth in Exhibit B hereto. Artist shall be responsible for hanging such artwork on July 1, 2016, at the direction of the Arts & Culture Specialist; shall allow the display of such work in Initial Point Gallery from July 1, 2016 through July 28, 2016, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; and shall be responsible for removal of such artwork on July 29, 2016, at such time as is specified by the Arts & Culture Specialist. ACCEPTANCE AGREEMENT - INITIAL POINT GALLERY DISPLAY PAGE I II. COMPENSATION AND SALE OF ARTWORK. A. No compensation. Artist shall display Artist's artwork in Initial Point Gallery at the pleasure of the Meridian City Council. City shall not provide compensation to Artist for services, work, and/or any activity undertaken pursuant to or related to this Agreement. B. Sale of artwork. Artist may, at the direction of and in the manner established by the Arts & Culture Specialist, passively offer the artwork on display in Initial Point Gallery for sale. No price shall be displayed on or be proximate to any piece on display in Initial Point Gallery. City personnel shall not facilitate in any way the sale of Artist's work; any transaction related to the sale of artwork shall be handled solely by Artist. Artist acknowledges the Commission's request that Artist voluntarily donate to the Commission twenty percent (20%) of proceeds from any artwork sold due to its display in Initial Point Gallery. Upon the sale of a piece of artwork on display in Initial Point Gallery, Artist may remove such artwork from the Gallery, provided that Artist replaces the removed piece with another piece of artwork within twenty-four (24) hours of such removal. Artist shall coordinate the removal, replacement, and/or substitution of any and all artwork with the Arts & Culture Specialist prior to such activity. III. TIME OF PERFORMANCE. Artist shall provide services described in this Agreement in a timely manner, as described herein. Artist acknowledges and agrees that time is strictly of the essence with respect to this Agreement, and that the failure to timely perform any of the obligations hereunder shall constitute a default of this Agreement. IV. INSTALLATION. A. Coordination with Curator. Prior to the installation, removal, replacement, and/or substitution of the display in Initial Point Gallery or any portion or component thereof, Artist shall coordinate any and all such activity with the Gallery Curator. Artist shall be responsible for contacting the Gallery Curator between May 1, 2016 and June 1, 2016 to confirm details regarding the installation, removal, publicity, and promotion of the exhibit. Artist's failure to affirmatively contact the Gallery Curator as required by this paragraph shall constitute a default of this Agreement. B. Inspection of display. Prior to or after installation, the Arts & Culture Specialist and/or the City may inspect and/or review the artwork proposed by Artist for display in Initial Point Gallery to ensure compliance with all criteria set forth in the Call to Artists attached hereto as Exhibit A, and the Application and Acknowledgements Form attached hereto in Exhibit B, as well as to ensure that such artwork may be safely and appropriately displayed in Initial Point Gallery. If the Arts & Culture Specialist or the City concludes that the display or any portion or component thereof does not meet the criteria set forth in Exhibits A and B, does not reflect artwork as described and depicted in the Proposal set forth in Exhibit B, or cannot be safely and/or appropriately displayed in Initial Point Gallery, the Arts & Culture Specialist or the City may require the immediate removal of such artwork from Initial Point Gallery. Further, the Arts & Culture Specialist or the City ACCEPTANCE AGREEMENT - INITIAL POINT GALLERY DISPLAY PAGE 2 may require the immediate removal of such artwork from Initial Point Gallery where such removal serves the best interest of the City. V. DISPLAY. A. Original artwork. Artist warrants that any and all artwork provided by Artist for display in Initial Point Gallery shall be, and is, original work conceived and created by Artist. B. Photographs of artwork. City may photograph the artwork displayed in Initial Point Gallery, as City may desire for purposes of advertising, marketing, and public information. Where practicable and to the extent of City's authority, Artist shall be acknowledged on each such photograph to be the creator of the original subject thereof, provided that photographic reproductions of artwork shall not be identified as or represented to be the finished artwork. C. Use of Artist's name. Artist hereby conveys to City permission to use Artist's name for purposes of advertising, marketing, and public information, without violation of Artist's rights of privacy or any other rights Artist may possess under this Agreement, provided that City shall not use Artist's logo, if any, for any purpose without the express, written permission of Artist. D. Use of City's name. City hereby conveys to Artist permission to use City's name for purposes of advertising, marketing, and public information, without violation of City's rights of privacy or any other rights City may possess under this Agreement, provided that Artist shall not use City's logo for any purpose without the express, written permission of the Mayor's Chief of Staff. E. Removal of artwork by City. City shall have the right to remove Artist's artwork from public display at any time and for any reason. Such removal may be temporary or permanent in nature. Where such artwork is or is intended to be removed from public display for longer than forty-eight (48) hours, City shall notify Artist in the manner set forth herein. While it is intended that Artist's artwork will be displayed in Initial Point Gallery for the period set forth herein, this period may be shortened by City for any reason, without notice to the Artist. F. Removal of artwork by Artist. Artist shall coordinate with the Arts & Culture Specialist the removal, replacement, and/or substitution of any and all artwork prior to such activity, whether such activity is necessary due to the sale of a piece or for any other reason. G. Simultaneous display. City may elect to display the work of more than one Artist or Organization in Initial Point Gallery at any time, at the City's sole discretion. The manner and arrangement of the display(s) in Initial Point Gallery shall be determined by the Arts & Culture Specialist. ACCEPTANCE AGREEMENT - INITIAL POINT GALLERY DISPLAY PAGE 3 VI. INDEMNIFICATION, WAIVER, AND INSURANCE. A. Indemnification. Artist shall, and hereby does, indemnify, save, and hold harmless the City and any and all of its employees, agents, volunteers, and/or elected officials from any and all losses, claims, and judgments for damages or injury to persons or property, and from any and all losses and expenses caused or incurred by Artist or Artist's servants, agents, employees, guests, and/or invitees. B. Waiver. Artist shall, and hereby does, waive any and all claims and recourse against City, including the right of contribution for loss and damage to persons or property arising from, growing out of, or in any way connected with or incident to Artist's performance of this Agreement, whether such loss or damage may be attributable to known or unknown conditions, except for liability arising out of the tortious conduct of City or its officers, agents or employees. C. Insurance Artist's responsibility. City shall not provide insurance to cover loss, theft, or damage of artwork displayed in Initial Point Gallery or to cover any activity undertaken by Artist in the furtherance of Artists' rights or obligations described herein. Insurance of the artwork; of the Artist's person, property, or interests; and/or of the Artist's employees or agents shall be the sole responsibility of Artist. Artist shall obtain all necessary insurance as may be required in order to protect Artist's insurable interests for its rights and obligations described within this Agreement, including, but not limited to, liability insurance, automobile insurance, worker's compensation insurance, and/or insurance of the artwork to be displayed in Initial Point Gallery. Artist shall bear any and all risks of, and actual, loss of, theft of, and/or damage to the artwork prepared for, transported to, transported from, installed or hung in, and/or displayed in Initial Point Gallery. VII. TERMINATION. A. Termination for cause. If City determines that Artist has failed to comply with or is in default of any term or condition of this Agreement, violated any of the covenants, agreements, and/or stipulations of this Agreement, falsified any record or document required to be prepared under this Agreement, engaged in fraud, dishonesty, or any other act of misconduct in the performance of this Agreement; or if either Party willfully or negligently defaults in, or fails to fulfill, its material obligations under this Agreement; the other Party shall have the right to terminate the Agreement by providing written notice to the defaulting party of its intent to terminate, and shall specify the grounds for termination. The defaulting party shall have two (2) calendar days, not including Sundays or federal holidays, after the other party mails such notice to cure the default. If the default is not cured within such period, this Agreement shall be terminated immediately upon mailing of written notice of termination. B. Termination without cause. City may immediately terminate this Agreement for any reason at any time without prior notice to Artist. C. Termination upon death or incapacity of Artist. This Agreement shall automatically terminate upon the death or incapacity of Artist. ACCEPTANCE AGREEMENT - INITIAL POINT GALLERY DISPLAY PAGE 4 D. Non -waiver. A waiver of any breach or default of any provision of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of a breach of the same or any other provision hereof. VIII. GENERAL PROVISIONS. A. Relationship of Parties. It is the express intention of Parties that Artist is an independent party and not an employee, agent, joint venturer, or partner of City. Nothing in this Agreement shall be interpreted or construed as creating or establishing the relationship of employer and employee between Artist and City or between Artist and any official, agent, or employee of City. Both parties acknowledge that Artist is not an employee of City. Artist shall retain the right to perform services for others during the term of this Agreement. B. Compliance with law. Throughout the course of this Agreement, Artist shall comply with any and all applicable federal, state, and local laws. C. Non -Discrimination. In fulfilling or exercising any right or obligation under this Agreement, Artist shall not discriminate against any person as to race, creed, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation or any physical, mental, or sensory disability. D. Entire agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the Parties. This Agreement supersedes any and all statements, promises, or inducements made by either party, or agents of either party, whether oral or written, and whether previous to the execution hereof or contemporaneous herewith. The terms of this Agreement may not be enlarged, modified or altered except upon written agreement signed by both parties hereto. E. Agreement governed by Idaho law. The laws of the State of Idaho shall govern the validity, interpretation, performance and enforcement of this Agreement. Venue shall be in the courts of Ada County, Idaho. F. Cumulative rights and remedies. All rights and remedies herein enumerated shall be cumulative and none shall exclude any other right or remedy allowed by law. Likewise, the exercise of any remedy provided for herein or allowed by law shall not be to the exclusion of any other remedy. G. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected. H. Successors and assigns. Artist shall not subcontract or assign any of Artist's obligations under this Agreement that require or that may require Artist's artistic talent or expertise. Artist may subcontract or assign obligations that do not require Artist's artistic talent or expertise. All of the terms, provisions, covenants and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and shall be binding upon, each party and their successors, assigns, legal representatives, heirs, executors, and administrators. ACCEPTANCE AGREEMENT - INITIAL POINT GALLERY DISPLAY PAGE 5 I. Notice. Any and all notice required to be provided by the Parties hereto, unless otherwise stated in this Agreement, shall be in writing and shall be deemed communicated upon mailing by United States Mail, addressed as follows: Artist: Ian Smith 2568 S. Velvet Falls Way Meridian ID 83642 Clty Hillary Bodnar Arts & Culture Specialist 33 E. Broadway Ave. Meridian ID 83642 Either party may change its respective mailing address by giving written notice of such change in the manner herein provided. J. City Council approval required. The validity of this Agreement shall be expressly conditioned upon City Council action approving the Agreement. Execution of this Agreement by the persons referenced below prior to such ratification or approval shall not be construed as proof of validity in the absence of Meridian City Council approval. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the Effective Date written above. ARTIST: Ian Smit CITY OF MERIDIAN: • Tammy de�/ rd, Mayor L A GG r J� City of IDAHO Jaycee lman, City Clerk ACCEPTANCE AGREEMENT - INITIAL POINT GALLERY DISPLAY PAGE 6 EXHIBIT A CALL TO ARTISTS ACCEPTANCE AGREEMENT - INITIAL POINT GALLERY DISPLAY PAGE 7 AV Meridian Commission Call for Artists: 2016 INITIAL POINT GALLERY SERIES OVERVIEW: The Meridian Arts Commission (MAC) seeks proposals for the display of two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional artwork as part of the 2016 Initial Point Gallery Series, a series of one-month exhibitions in Initial Point Gallery. Initial Point Gallery is located on the third floor of Meridian City Hall (33 E. Broadway Avenue, Meridian, Idaho), and is open to the public during City working hours. Initial Point Gallery provides 120 feet of total wall space for hanging two- dimensional artwork, and four enclosed display cases for three-dimensional artwork. MAC requests that artists voluntarily donate to MAC 20% of proceeds from sales of art displayed in Initial Point Gallery. ELIGIBILITY: Two-dimensional works displayed in Initial Point Gallery must be comprised of professional -quality, ready -to -hang, original art; artwork on paper must be under glass or acrylic. Selectees must fill all or half of the gallery. Three- dimensional works may be of any medium, but must fit within the four supplied display cases. No artwork will be displayed which: cannot be safely hung or displayed using the gallery's equipment; requires unusual maintenance, handling, or security; or is disruptive or likely to offend the sensibilities of the general public. Each piece to be displayed will be evaluated for its compliance with these general requirements. Selectees will be asked to enter into an Acceptance Agreement with the City setting forth specific conditions of display. Selectees and invitees may reapply biennially and if selected again, 75% of the display must be artwork that has not been previously displayed in Initial Point Gallery. Small, informal groups of 2-4 artists are encouraged to propose an exhibition including all artists' work. PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS: Artists or organizations wishing to display work in the 2016 Initial Point Gallery Series must provide the following materials and information to MAC in order to be considered for selection. • Completed, signed Application It Acknowledgements form; • Letter of intent, including biography of the artist(s) or informational statement regarding organization; • 250 -word informational paragraph about the artist or organization (for use in gallery publicity if selected); • Five (5) digital images representational of the works proposed for display, on a CD (for organizations, each image must be of a different artist's work); and • $35 gallery maintenance fee (nonrefundable). Details and forms are available at the City's website, http://www.meridiancity.org or upon request. Limited assistance producing digital images may be available upon request. Materials submitted will not be returned. DEADLINE: All proposals must be received by MAC by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 16, 2015. SELECTION PROCESS: The selection of art for the 2016 Initial Point Gallery Series will be made by MAC. MAC will notify Selectees by letter sent U.S. Mail. In evaluating eligible proposals, the following factors will be considered: • Quality of work; • Appropriateness of subject and concept for a functioning government workplace; • Consistency with City policy and community values; and • Contribution to aesthetic and cultural atmosphere of Meridian City Hall. RESOURCES PROVIDED UPON SELECTION: The City of Meridian will provide selected artists/organizations with the following resources: • Volunteers to assist artist/ organization with installing and removing each piece of artwork; • Track system for hanging 2D art and four enclosed pedestals for 3D art; • Space for artist information and/or an information board; and • Publicity of the exhibit through City contacts, local media, and other informational forums. CONTACT MAC: By mail: Meridian Arts Commission Attn: Hillary Bodnar 33 East Broadway Avenue Meridian ID 83642 By e-mail: macCmeridiancity.org EXHIBIT B ARTIST'S PROPOSAL ACCEPTANCE AGREEMENT - INITIAL POINT GALLERY DISPLAY PAGE 9 Meridian Commission APPLICANT CONTACT INFORMATION Check one: I am submitting this application as an individual. ❑ 1 am submitting this application for this organization: ❑ 1 am submitting this application for an informal RrouD: Applicant: Applicant E-mail: Mailing Address: Physical Address: Applicant Phone: , &� Lk^ 7,5-G8 s Ue[ve+' r,.Ils Way, nte'v;A"L'. (0 B364z Day: _IOg-8$7-11rsj Evening: Cell: Zag - 974'- 9Z 9f APPLICATION OVERVIEW: Check all that apply: gl/we propose to fill one half of Initial Point Gallery with two-dimensional artwork. ❑ I/we propose to fill the entire Initial Point Gallery with two-dimensional artwork. ❑ I/we propose to fill 01 02 03 114 of the display cases with 3D artwork Number of 2D pieces: 17,- fS Average size of 2D pieces: IG " X 20 " Number of 3D pieces: Average size of 3D pieces: Proposed title or theme of show: APPLICATION MATERIALS: Completed, signed Application ft Acknowledgements Form. (Informal groups: each artist must sign separate form.) Biography of artist or informational statement regarding organization, no longer than one 8'/2 x 11" page; A letter of intent, describing: a. Artist/Organization/Group's vision for and/or theme of the proposed display; b. Number, dimensions, prices, and medium or media utilized in the works to be displayed; c. Any publicity that the Artist/Organization/Group plans to undertake if selected; and/or d. Any atypical issues or challenges regarding hanging or display of the works proposed for display. Up to five digital images of work representational of the artist's/organization/group's work on a CD, resolution of 300 dpi at a minimum size of 5x7", in .jpg format. Materials submitted will not be returned. Damaged or non- compliant CDs and/or images will not be considered. Images will not be accepted via e-mail. $35 gallery maintenance fee, check made payable to the Meridian Arts Commission. This fee is nonrefundable. DISPLAY INFORMATION: Initial Point Gallery is equipped with a track system for hanging two-dimensional artwork. Two-dimensional artwork will be hung from cables, using hooks, and therefore must be equipped with two D rings (fig. 1) on the side rails on the back of the frame (fig. 2). The inside of each D ring must allow a space of at least one-quarter inch (�Y4") for insertion of the hooks; any wire constricting this space must be removed. The D rings should be approximately a quarter of the distance of the total frame height from the top of the frame in order to avoid slanting away from the wall. Wires, eyehooks, and clip frames may not be used for hanging. Initial Point Gallery also provides four display cases, each with different dimensions (fig. 3), for displaying three-dimensional artwork. 71sp:10 FIS^yliE} lY:1Jt ?ort f„b!ex FIG. 2. BACK OF FRAME .?:...... �, ...... A —^F d....... rr........ .X ............. .. � ....,..lee .. ! 'k-.. 'S S sty” �.. `�.. •�* FIG. 3. 3DART DISPLAY CASES tt�� ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: 1,ti , hereby acknowledge the following stipulations and agree that if this proposal is selected for display at Initial Point Gallery, such display shall occur subject to these general terms and conditions, as well as subject to other specific terms and conditions that shall be set forth in a separate, written Acceptance Agreement between myself and the City of Meridian. I specifically acknowledge that: A. Before my work will be displayed in Initial Point Gallery, I wilt be required to enter into an Acceptance INITIAL Agreement with the City of Meridian establishing the specific terms and conditions of the display of the particular works displayed. B. If my work is selected for display in Initial Point Gallery, the City of Meridian and its agents will INITIAL exercise professional care in handling and securing all artwork displayed in Initial Point Gallery, but cannot and will not assume liability for any loss or damage. C. Any insurance of the artwork displayed in Initial Point Gallery shalt be the sole responsibility of the (TIAL artist. The City of Meridian shall not provide insurance to cover loss, theft, or damage of artwork displayed in Initial Point Gallery. !� D. While artwork displayed in Initial Point Gallery may be passively offered for sale by means of an INITIAL informational table, board, or handout as provided or allowed by the City of Meridian, no piece displayed in Initial Point Gallery may have a visible price tag. E. While it is intended that each exhibit in Initial Point Gallery will be displayed for a one- to two-month INITIAL period, this period may be shortened by the City of Meridian for any reason, without notice to the artist or organization. F. The City may display the work of more than one artist or organization in Initial Point Gallery at any ITI time, at the City's sole discretion. G. Artwork submitted for display in Initial Point Gallery must be original works conceived and created INITIAL by the artist (or by artist members of the organization) submitting this application. H. Meridian City Hall is primarily a place of public business and Initial Point Gallery is a public place. The NITIAL City seeks to encourage artistic expression and public dialogue, but must simultaneously ensure that City Hall is a place where citizens, employees, and visitors of diverse ages and perspectives feel welcome and comfortable. To this end, only artists and artwork meeting the eligibility standards described in the Call for Artists and following the terns set forth in the Acceptance Agreement shall be displayed in Initial Point Gallery. I do acknowledge and understand each and all of the foregoing stipulations and do agree to these general terms and conditions. Signature: Print name: �� &.,A L+ Parent Signature - If Applicant is Under 18: Date: lq Oc/n6,—ZolS' To propose an exhibition in Initial Point Gallery, please submit this form, completed in full, with the required materials and fee, via U.S. mail, to: Meridian Arts Commission Attn: Hillary Bodnar 33 East Broadway Avenue Meridian ID 83642 Thank you for your interest) Meridian Commission Ian Smith 2568 S Velvet Falls Way Meridian, ID 83642 208-887-3859 ianksmith@yahoo.com MERIDIAN ARTS COMMISSION Attn: Hillary Bodnar 33 East Broadway Avenue Meridian, ID 83642 :: LETTER OF INTENT:: Thank you for the opportunity to apply for the 2016 Initial Point Gallery Series. I'm a professional editor and writer living in south Meridian, and recently began painting after a 20 year hiatus. With my artistic work I seek to capture the emotion of a given moment or experience, and (as with my profession) communicate that clearly to the viewer. For this display, I will bring oil paintings that showcase various charming destinations, including placid lakes and 200 -year-old European cottages. Viewers will vicariously experience a bit of warm nostalgia for peaceful settings and simpler times by immersing themselves in my interpretations. My publicity efforts will include robust social media postings within several Meridian -area groups. I do not foresee any challenges regarding hanging or display of my works. Please note that I have a display commitment elsewhere in the valley during April 2016, so if I am selected for the Initial Point Gallery I will need to schedule away from that time of year. :: INDEX OF PIECES:: Pieces are in order of size. Ti i'LE MEDIUM SIZE PRICE 1 Indian Beach Oil on canvas 12 x 36 NFS 2 Sandhamn Oil on canvas 16 x 20 NFS 3 Porch at Rosendalsvagen 3 Oil on canvas 16 x 20 NFS 4 Flotilla Oil on canvas 16 x 20 NFS 5 After the Rain Oil on canvas 16 x 20 NFS 6 Falls River OR on canvas 16 x 20 NFS 7 A Noble Endeavor Oil on canvas 16 x 20 NFS 8 The Wanring Oil on canvas 16 x 20 NFS 9 Outcrop, South Rim Oil on canvas 20 x 16 NFS 10 Royal Guard Oil on canvas 10 x 8 NFS 11 Stortorget Oil on canvas 8 x 10 NFS 12 Strandhaus Oil on art board 8 x 10 NFS Pieces are in order of size. :: ARTIST BIO:: Born in Honolulu and raised in Washington state, Ian Smith spent much of his childhood practicing to be a comic strip artist (such as with his superhero series, "Guk-man and Pong," created at age 9). He later expanded to political cartoons for the high school paper and developed the odd hobby of penciling interpretations of black -and -white news photographs. During his junior year in high school, his art teacher encouraged him to try painting. Emboldened by some modest success in local shows, he entered college considering a career as a painter but eventually majored in English. After a decade working as a business editor in Seattle, he moved with his family to the and sunshine of Meridian, Idaho, in 2007. Ian continues to work as an editor and writer for organizations worldwide—but recently, after a 20 -year hiatus, picked up his brushes once more to rediscover this beautiful, neglected passion of his youth. :: ARTIST STATEMENT:: I've always been fascinated by the power of a still image. Whether it was a comic book panel, a news photograph, an album cover, or a Monet painting, the layers of unspoken meaning expressed by colors and contrasts have transfixed my attention ever since childhood. Back in the day, I covered the walls of my room with posters and pictures of nearly anything -nature scenes, movie stills, rock bands, cartoons, clippings from news magazines—any image that captured the essence of a dramatic moment or expressed a compelling sentiment. My art is an effort to capture the emotion of a given moment or experience, and then express it in my own language. Like telling others about my latest favorite album or movie—"Have you seen this'" "Have you heard this?"—I work to share the evocative moods and moments that connect and enlighten us. With each piece, I seek to create something beautiful that people want to look at, and look at long enough to glimpse what I saw, for just a fleeting, meaningful moment, and make it their own. Thank you for looking. ian smith