Anonymous art focus of 'Guild Squared' exhibit opening in June

For anyone who has purchased a grab bag hoping to find a rare trinket, the Northfield Arts Guild’s next visual arts exhibit is right up your alley.

Opening June 12 and running through July 6, “Guild Squared” is a unique exhibit that serves as the Guild’s spring fundraiser. The idea behind the exhibit is that each piece of donated art measuring 12” x 12” will be sold for $30. Each donated piece that will be collected on June 10 and 11 will remain anonymous until the buyer decides to discover the artist’s identity.

“Our goal is to have nearly 100 pieces in the gallery full of community artwork,” said Shelby Wilson, Guild Visual Arts manager. “This exhibit welcomes all mediums, and provides an opportunity for aspiring artists who have never been in the gallery before, and professional artists to come together.”

Wilson said each original piece donated to the Guild’s spring fundraiser will remain anonymous until the buyer elects to discover the artist. “This will encourage folks to simply fall in love with the artwork.”

During a brainstorming session earlier this spring, Wilson said the Guild’s gallery committee was searching for different ideas. Someone talked about adapting the Minnesota Institute of Art’s “Foot in the Door” concept. “We had to Guildify the idea” before we could run with it, said Wilson.

For emerging artists who may not own their own supplies, Wilson said the Guild has a stock of plain 12” x 12” canvases as well as other art supplies available. Interested artists need to sign up to apply to be included in this show.

“We are looking for quality work in every submission,” she said. “We don’t want to discriminate in any way against mediums. We will be accepting ceramics, fiber arts, drawings, paintings, collage, jewelry and glassware. We want to showcase a range of talent, whether it’s 2D or 3D.”

Wilson said this less buttoned up approach offers zero cost to each artist as well as a low barrier for participation.

“We’re excited to accommodate an exhibit like this that promotes accessibility and encouragement,” she said.

One hundred percent of the proceeds will go directly into supporting the community programming at the Guild, said Michael Johnson, executive director. “We hope this exhibit can bring us closer to meeting the fundraising goal we set earlier this year of raising $65,000 to mark our 65th year.”

Johnson said that while the Gala event in March raised a substantial portion of that goal, the Guild wants to continue to grow those funds throughout the year.

“We want your art,” said Johnson. “Maybe you’re not a painter but you have an eye for art. Everyone is an artist.”

IF YOU GO A reception for “Guild Square” will be Thursday, June 27 from 6-8 p.m. at the Northfield Arts Guild. The fundraising exhibit opens June 13 and runs through July 6. Anyone wishing to donate a piece of art measuring 12” x 12” should bring it to the Guild office, 304 Division St. S, on June 10-11. The gallery will be closed June 12 for installation. Any questions, please call 507-645-8877. aa334e26-a731-4a9c-a899-a12c79af3f78