MSA Senior Sam Alderson Creates Exchange Between Artists and Local Businesses

Marin School of the Arts senior Sam Alderson is young artist with a plan.  His plan is to bring more art into the community — specifically art that is hidden away in the MSA Visual Arts and Photography studios. He will bring this art to the walls of local businesses — banks, restaurants, cafés, hair salons … you name it! — where visitors can enjoy and potentially purchase works. 

“Community Art Exchange is a formula,” says Alderson, whose project will also serves as his seniors thesis project at MSA.  “I want to get this going in Novato first, as an exchange and partnership between Marin School of the Arts at Novato High and local businesses. Then I want to take my formula to other communities.  I may try other places, like Mill Valley, in the future.”

Last Friday night Alderson hosted a reception for his first Community Art Exchange event, called the Art Expo, which he describes as a “test run.”  This opening was held in the Annex at local artist and instructor Kebby Kingsbury McInroy’s Studio4Art on Grant Avenue and featured the work of Marin School of the Arts students and electronic music by musician Mad Zach.  Aiming to open a new show once every month or so, Alderson also intends to bring MSA musical performances to the gallery receptions.

Alderson adds that he hopes to connect interested business with all artists in the community, not just MSA students.  As the curator for Community Art Exchange, he is asking artists and local businesses to contact him about either showing or hosting a gallery showing of art work:  Sam Alderson - Communityartexchange@gmail.com.