Art's Not Just For Galleries Anymore

Art is sneaking out of studios and galleries and into the view of shoppers, strollers, and diners.

There is a plethora of places besides galleries that display artists' work, and, for the "curators" there, no dearth of artists clamoring to be seen.

Artists seeking to catch the eye of gallery owners or a prospective collector or two are providing restaurant, shop, and cafe owners with changing, original displays. Most spaces are provided for free, though in some cases the business owner earns a small commission on any sales.

In East Hampton, the Coach Store on Main Street has for the past six years dedicated an entire back room - a former bank vault - for use as a gallery by local artists. The space is booked almost a year in advance, said Lynn Dale, a manager at the store, which throws an opening party at the inception of each show.

Good Testing Ground

On display through the end of June are wood carvings by Harry Honorowski. In July, Darby McHugh, a veteran of alternative art spaces who has shown her work at outdoor shows, Ashawagh Hall in Springs, and Estia restaurant in Amagansett, will mount a display of her hand-colored photographs.

"It's an artist-friendly way of getting the work out there - a good testing ground," said Ms. McHugh of the "alternative" spaces. Making a few sales "builds confidence" to approach galleries, she said.

The Coach Store does not exact commissions on sales, but deducts 10 percent of the sale price for donation to a charity of the artist's choice.

The Bridgehampton Cafe changes the paintings that decorate its walls every four to six weeks or so, throwing a cocktail reception to introduce the new works and artist.

"It's worked out really well," said Don Evans, the restaurant's owner.

Booked Months In Advance

Renovations completed prior to the restaurant's opening in April 1996 created "wonderful wall space," he said, large enough for pieces up to four feet square.

"I couldn't afford wonderful art . . . . I was tired of looking at posters," he said of his decision to showcase artists' works.

The word is out, said Mr. Evans. Artists' interest in showing at the cafe has "increased exponentially," he said. Artists are now bringing him slides to consider, and the wall space is booked up to four months in advance. The room "dramatically changes" according to the art displayed, Mr. Evans said. "It is never static."

Mr. Evans shows things he likes, though his favorites may not be everyone's. "Our severest critics are our waiters," he said.

Helping Artists

Once or twice, he has heard complaints, with a few taking offense to a particular piece, but over all he receives "continual positive comments" from diners, he said. "Sensitive stuff goes in the bathrooms," he laughed.

Colin Ambrose has been showcasing artwork at his restaurant, Estia, in Amagansett, for the past six years. The enterprise began with a desire to have a "continually changing display in the room," he said, as many of his customers return to eat there often. The shows change every six to eight weeks, he said.

After initially having galleries curate his shows, Mr. Ambrose has become personally involved, with a growing interest in helping artists to "establish themselves in the art world."

Nude Was Removed

Many artists who excel in the creative realm do not do so in the business world, he noted. "I've been a salesman all my life . . . . I'm happy to get out there for these guys," he said. "We give artists an opportunity to tell the gallery owners to 'go have lunch, and look at my stuff.'"

Mr. Ambrose looks for "dramatic, colorful paintings that are going to warm the room," he said, especially those with a local focus. "I am inclined to show people I know," he said. Estia's walls are spoken for through December.

As for content, Mr. Ambrose imposes few restrictions and has even exhibited a "relatively abstract" nude, which, however, he took down after parents of young diners complained.

"If they want to make a social comment, that's fine," he said, "but they can't be vulgar or use nudity - it has to be intellectual."

Busier Than Galleries

Mr. Ambrose retains the services of a public relations outfit to promote the shows and throws an opening reception, too. He retains a small commission for brokering on-the-spot sales, which number maybe four a year, though Nick Weber, this month's featured artist, sold three works at Sunday's opening reception.

"I think art is best experienced in life, rather than just in a gallery space," said Ann Harper, who curated the Estia shows for several years. Ms. Harper's Amagansett gallery will be run this year by Yaari, who is pursuing alternate venues to hang the work of gallery artists.

Mr. Evans of the Bridgehampton Cafe noted that his restaurant is "busier than the most successful gallery out there" and provides artists with wide exposure. Artists are realizing, he said, that "the demographics are that the people who frequent the Cafe are the people who may buy their art."

It's In The Bank

Banks, some of which have long decorated their walls with local art, are increasingly jumping on the bandwagon, too.

The wall space at the Bank of New York in East Hampton is reserved, in one-month periods, through most of 1998.

Never mind withdrawals or deposits. "We have people coming in just looking at the show," said Kay Coles, an employee of the bank who invites new artist-customers to display their work. Rivalyn Zweig's work is on display there now, with Leo Riva on deck for next month.

"There's a lot of good local talent out here that should be seen and aren't well-known enough to be seen in galleries," said David McHugh, the owner of the Hampton Photo Arts shop in Bridgehampton Commons. Like several other businesses that house exhibits, Hampton Photo Arts does not get involved in sales, instead just putting buyer and seller in touch.

Open To Anyone

Mr. McHugh allows artists who work in a variety of media to hang works in the shop's window for two weeks at a time. His only stipulation is no nudity - otherwise those who come in and ask are penciled in on his show calendar.

The work's quality varies, Mr. McHugh said. Some are "just starting out," and some of the artists are "really, really, good."

Sculpture has cropped up, too, with pieces for sale by Steve Loschen of Amagansett and other local artists displayed on the grounds of Gansett Green Manor in Amagansett, and Artscapes, a business that curates sculpture exhibits, installing pieces at various sites around town.

As the ranks of artists grow, so too do the alternative venues.

Among the other spots where art can be seen are the Golden Pear in East Hampton, Breadzilla in Wainscott, Spot's Cafe in Sag Harbor, and Gurney's Inn in Montauk.

Pottery At Duryea's

Displays range from a curated grouping of work to a casual painting or two with a business card stuck in the corner, or even furniture, as part of the decor.

Four potters will exhibit their wares at Duryea's Lobster Deck in Montauk this weekend, and Michelle Murphy, an Amagansett painter, has carried her work to New York City for display in the window of Brioni, a 57th Street clothing store, through the Fourth of July.