by Kristina Kaiser
Photo from Floated Magazine
As 2019 comes to a close I have been reflecting on the many beautiful moments this year has brought us at The Yards. So I decided, why not review and share a few of my personal highlights?
In 2019 we had 18 showcases! I love that The Yards offers a unique venue where emerging artists can put together the exhibit they want to see. Often when I am meeting with potential exhibitors I like to frame the space as a blank canvas to create the show of their dreams. Depending on the show I can be pretty hands off; for me, one of the most exciting things in running this space is walking into the gallery and seeing how one individual's vision has transformed the space I have known so well and seen take so many forms.
I don’t want to pick favorites because each and every exhibit was immensely impressive. That being said, I can’t just leave you hanging, right?! Here are my personal top three shows of the year, for different reasons.
Gracia Nash, 2019
Nate Hodge Installation. November, 2019
I love the Politits Art Coalition Show, I may be biased because I am a juror of this exhibit but I really enjoy the diversity of works that are submitted and the international representation. These shows always have a really powerful message and I am looking forward to what will come to be in 2020. The 2020 Call for Art is out now, I strongly encourage applying!
Gracia Nash had a fantastic glass thesis exhibit this Spring. To be frank glass as a medium in a communal use space sometimes makes me cringe. I was thrilled with this exhibit and the level of play and vulnerability. I’m very much looking forward to following this dynamic artist in the future!
Nate Hodge Pop-Up! Can we just say holy smokes dude?! Do you sleep. Like ever? I was thrilled when Nate reached out regarding a unique and intimate pop-up style event. Nate had done our Residency twice but it’d been many years since working with him. It always warms my heart to see how artists work develop and change throughout the years and how certain styles of work feel so dang right in our space. Nate please do more shows with us!!!
Our programming also had a really refreshing year! Artists Talks, Figure Drawing, Flour City Readings, and Numerous Specialized Classes.
We were lucky enough to have Jim Mott join us on a very hot summer evening. He shared with his journey of 20 Years of Socially-Engaged Art Projects. It was an inspirational presentation and I know I felt compelled to deepen my connections within my own community.
Flour City Readings… so cool! As a 2-D artist sometimes I have a hard time connecting with literature. I was thrilled when Jennifer Kircher-Carr and Geoff Graser (both studio members) collaborated to propose this recurring event for the space. Curated reading series? Yes please!! Stay tuned for what Flour City Readings has to offer in 2020.
Our partnership with 540 West Main was an exciting new adventure! Unfortunately attendance during Sunday classes never really stuck. But that’s why we have a programming questionnaire to get your feedback. We’d love to hear how we can improve our programming, want to share your thoughts through our survey?!
Our 24-Hour Birthday Fundraiser...Ambitious? Yes. Crazy? Maybe, a bit. This was our most successful fundraiser to date and it wouldn't have been possible without the support of so many local artists and businesses. When this idea was conceived, it was with the thought that I wanted to pull off an event I hadn’t seen done in Rochester before. I also wanted to bring all the different parts of the Yards together that make our space great. Live music, restorative practices, silent auction, collaborative activities. We might have been a little insane, but we sure pulled off one hell of a party. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you all for believing in what we do here at The Yards!
2019 was also a year for growth and doing things outside my comfort zone. Although I would wholehearted accept my role as a leader, my role as a spokesperson for the space doesn’t come as second nature, but really grew this year out of necessity.
We had the opportunity to be featured in Print & Online with Floated Magazine. I got to stop by the Graphic Ear to chat on the radio with Sabra Wood about our Birthday Fundraiser. We even got to be on TV live with local news station WHAM 13 when they came to cover the Public Market’s Holiday Event and had an amazing opportunity to show off ourselves and our members to the community at large.
Growth and participation within our community here at the Yards has increased, this includes both makers and art supporters. We had four Members Showcases throughout this year and each one felt so different. We don’t curate these exhibits but I am always impressed with our hive mind and how we are on the same color palette wave length.
We closed out the year with a Members Showcase and Live Painting. I hadn’t done live painting in years and it felt like coming home. I am looking forward to some of the other Membership opportunities coming up in 2020. One of my favorite Members events of the year was our Friendsgiving event held in early December.
If you are interested in becoming involved or supporting The Yards I highly encourage becoming a Member. We are revamping the Membership tiers with some exciting new perks. Keep your eyes peeled for more info!
Looking ahead to 2020 and what’s in store for The Yards!
Expansion?! We are working towards securing a sister space to accommodate more artists looking to dive into their practice. Hopefully if this space works out we will hit our long sought after goal of increased accessibility.
Teem Ambassador Program! I am so excited to work with young adults in our community and share the resources The Yards has to offer. The first session starts in February. If you know a teen that might be interested please send them over to attheyards@gmail.com!
We now have a committee. Say what?! Studios, Programming, Communications, and more! We have an amazing team of volunteers who are putting in a lot of hard work into the New Year to strengthen the mission and outreach of the Yards.
From the bottom of my heart thank you for your support. I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without an amazing team behind me. I have grown so much through my experience at The Yards and I hope I can share what I’ve learned with our community. It has taken so many years to get where we are but I can’t wait to see what is in store for us in 2020. Cheers to the year ahead, continuing to learn, grow, and support each other in our practices and lives.
Much Love, KK