The Nave Gallery’s “Nave 155” event on April 23 will feature works priced at $155 donated by over 70 artists with proceeds going towards sustaining the gallery. ~Photo by Charles Daniels

By Clara Hudson

The Nave Gallery, Somerville’s beloved home for the arts, is holding a unique sale to rejuvenate the local art scene and keep the gallery running. The event, Nave 155, will feature work donated by over 70 artists on Sunday, April 23 at 1:00 p.m.

Volunteers Tori Costa and Susan Berstler  run the Nave with the help of other dedicated local volunteers. Taking a break from their monthly shows, the gallery is now pooling their efforts for the upcoming event.

Each piece will be priced at $155, with proceeds going towards sustaining the Nave.

“We want this sale to encourage people to create their own collection, and this is a really affordable way to do that,” said Costa, adding that art can be a gift for a lifetime.

The Nave has been open since 2004 at a church in Teele Square, and since 2013 at “the annex” in Davis Square.

“We tend to occupy very unusual spaces, which makes us a pretty quirky gallery. It reflects our personality,” said Costa.

While most galleries typically hold auctions, the Nave adopted an avant-garde fundraising idea.

Resa Blatman, a volunteer and friend of the Nave Gallery, suggested a new plan for a whirlwind art sale. Inspired by Boston’s Laconia Gallery, Blatman suggested throwing an event that was more like a race than an art sale.

“On the day of the event, the doors open, and they [customers] run in and grab the ticket next to the art work that they want,” said Blatman, describing the idea from the Laconia Gallery.

“It’s like the department store, Filene’s basement, where people would run in for their wedding gowns,” she said.

While the Nave’s event won’t be as hectic as Filene’s well known “running of the brides,” Blatman said that they’re expecting a good turnout.

There will be a preview at the gallery days before the actual sale, so that customers have time to browse through the artworks.

“None of the pieces are copies, they’re all originals, so it’s really generous on the artists’ part,” said Blatman.

Several of the artists are donating more than one piece, while Blatman herself is donating five for the sale. Her own work concentrates on climate change, from large installations to pieces made from net and fishing line.

With paintings, sculptures, photographs, and drawings, the sale consists of 100 pieces from local, regional, or international artists. The gallery also features artists from all walks of life, side by side.

“I want to buy everything, it’s like all of my art heroes are in this sale,” said Costa.

 

1 Response » to “Local art gallery moves forward with ‘Nave 155’ whirlwind art sale”

  1. Barbara Millicent Roberts says:

    Thanks to the artists who are contributing to this event. The Nave is a vital part of our thriving arts scene and should be supported by all who appreciate the cultural richness of our city. Good on them!