Last week, Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) converted its hallways into galleries for its 27th annual art sale.
From Thursday to Saturday, curious patrons flocked to the MCAD building in the Whittier neighborhood, a few blocks away from the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Works of art from MCAD students and alumni covered the walls of the building’s first two floors.
A total of 6,849 pieces from 488 artists were on display and for sale, according to MCAD events director Grace Bridgeford. Of the artists, 70% were alumni, and the rest were current MCAD students.
“It is not your typical gallery show. If you see something you love, you literally take it off the wall,” Bridgeford said.
Bridgeford said 80% of sales go directly to the artists, a generous cut compared to other galleries, and MCAD uses 20% of the sales to fund the sale and financial aid offers. She said revenue from the art sale is crucial for many artists to fund their burgeoning careers.
Last year’s art sale raised over $450,000 for artists and $100,000 for scholarships, according to Bridgeford.
“This is huge for me,” said painter Lukas Carlson, an alumnus of the school’s MFA drawing and painting program.
Carlson said he worked as a bartender and a roofer to finance his artistic career. He said the past few months, he has been focusing on painting and hopes to find full-time work in the art industry.
Bridgeford said another goal of the art sale is to help artists learn how to market and sell their work to collectors and buyers. She said the event attracts all sorts of patrons, from experienced collectors of fine art from afar to locals looking for some décor to spice up their homes.
“I really appreciate being able to connect with people who really appreciate art,” said poet and photographer Bea Morrow. “It’s a celebratory event of our art.”
Artists at the sale were able to mingle with visitors and talk to them about their work.
Morrow, a senior at MCAD, had three of her photo books available for sale. She said she loves listening to compliments and critiques from people other than her professors because it shows her people are connecting with her work.
“As an up-and-coming artist, as an art student, it’s really rare that we get feedback from people buying our art most of the time,” Morrow said.
Some dedicated art collectors come from other cities and states just to peruse the halls of the sale, according to painter and MCAD faculty member Suyao Tian.
Tian said even as an established professional, income from art sales is still important. She added the sale is a good way for her to meet and engage with potential clients.
This year’s art sale is Tian’s 10th, she said. Even though a price limit policy at the MCAD art sale keeps Tian from selling her work for the same price she usually charges galleries, she said the fair rates and opportunity to raise money for the school keep her coming back.
