Dear Editor:
As a two year member of Hob’Art, an artist coalition in Hoboken, I’m confused. Yes, the group does organize a lot of exhibits. Yes, there are periodic meetings, which are well run, occasional workshops and a New Year’s Eve party. Yes, there are very talented people in Hob’Art’s ranks.
But certain aspects puzzle me. Artists that are not in the group often ask me exactly what advantages membership offers. What do I get for my $40 yearly dues?
Taking it strictly as a business group, Hob’Art is a non-profit. It has, in my observation, limited expenses. We buy a table at the two outdoor Hoboken Arts and Music festivals. We serve pizza and beverages before the six meetings a year. Sometimes wine is paid for at openings. The group is not charged anything to exhibit regularly at a local bank or restaurant and its meeting place on First Street is also free.
But both local artist tours have application fees. Many galleries and businesses like Full House Printing expect money up front before they offer space. All of this comes out of the artist’s pocket. If you have a piece in a group exhibit and cannot volunteer time at the venue, you are penalized $25. Plus, Hob’Art expects a “suggested” donation of 30 per cent of any sale you make.
It does not have enough savings to rent a space and certainly not enough to buy. Even if some eccentric millionaire who loved art offered a permanent space for free, there is nothing to indicate any more people would show up at those openings than appear now – mainly a handful of members. Art collectors in New York who employ buyers do not send them to across the river to add to their collection. In this recession how many can even afford art at any price?
So month after month passes, the group’s savings collect some interest, but basically the entire situation is static. The business model seems nonexistent.
In contrast, Hudson Artists charges $30 dues, but if you are a paid member, you don’t pay the application fee to any exhibit they sponsor like the juried show in Bayonne Library. Essentially, you get your money back.
Membership in Hob’Art will remain relatively low as long as the perception exists that the group keeps taking money in while not offering much in the way of compensation. More importantly, strong evidence suggests that serious collectors are indifferent to its shows, wherever they are held.
A simple question: is this a group with a plan? A future? Would anyone care to fill me in?
Sincerely,
Joe Del Priore
Have a dissenting opinion? We’d love to hear from you. Email comments to current@hudsonreporter.com and we’ll print them on our back page. Joe Del Priore is a frequent contributor.