ART ON 45™

The Story Behind

When I created ART ON 45™ five years ago, I had the vision of a unique art project that would benefit and honor both – the artists and the community. The upcoming round is going to be the sixth edition, and I couldn't be more excited and thankful about the growing success of this project.

It all started seven years ago, when I picked up a box of hundreds of old 45s from a thrift store. I didn't even own a record player at that time, and the records weren't in good shape anyway. But I was intrigued by these little vinyls as they all were containing stories – the musical stories which are imprinted in the grooves, and the unknown very personal ones of the previous owners. I like to imagine in what situation a certain song was played, who danced to the tunes. Who listened with who and dreamed about what?

I grew up with records. My parents had a large collection, and I bought my first album when I was twelve, the Red Album. It was the time before home computers and the internet. When friends came over, we put on some music. We knew all the words, and sometimes we would get up and dance in our little rooms and try some moves. Later I had an apartment right next to a record store. It was the beginning of the CD era. Little by little all the beautiful vinyl got replaced by those shiny compact discs in their shiny jewel cases. Soon there were only a few boxes with low-priced records sitting in the back of the store, and finally they were gone completely. Now the vinyl is coming back. Record stores are coming back. And the record players. And the sweetness that comes with all that vinyl.

The Art

All this I had in mind, when I created ART ON 45™. I loved the nostalgic yet cool aspect about it, the  idea of making a piece of art on a piece of art, and I believed in the potential of ART ON 45™ as a new kind of community project which would connect artists and art lovers in different ways and on different levels with each other.

So this is what the project is about: Visual artists are asked to create a piece of art on or with one 45rpm (7") record.  Any medium, technique, and genre is possible and welcome, as long as the work is original, professionally done and finished, and ready for hanging. All artists (over 18), local or not local, are invited to participate and submit one piece.

The artists respond to the song on the record of choice with his or her own creation of a "musical piece" by which the vinyl may or may not be completely covered with paint.  These "musical pieces" are then entered for a juried two-week exhibition; two artists receive a Juror's Choice award.

Many artists have expressed how much they enjoy being challenged by the uncommon surface and format and to make a piece that, in a unique way, corresponds with the works of the other artists. The project has been attracting more and more participating artists from all over Louisiana and even from other states, and the quality as well as the  originality of the works is quite remarkable.  Because of the exquisite and unique nature of these small works, many buyers have become regulars and add a piece or two each year to their home collection.

Exhibit and Auction Event

The two-week exhibition is usually followed by a reception with a silent auction, both taking place in downtown Ruston. The event has been a wonderful opportunity for artists and art lovers to meet and greet, to buy and collect unique pieces of art, and to enjoy a fabulous evening in the historical district of Ruston.
Because of COVID, last year’s reception including the in-person auction could not take place. Instead, we added a virtual show and had an online auction which was amazingly well-received. The funds we raised were significantly higher compared to previous years. Therefore we are keeping the bidding online even if we are having a face-to-face reception.

Key element of the project is the annual ART ON 45™ book which documents each work as part of an eclectic collection. At the auction, the bids are placed for a specific piece of art plus one copy of the ART ON 45™ book. People seem to be equally fascinated by the individual works as they are excited about the book which has become quite collectable on its own.

Beneficiaries

I am happy to say that ART ON 45™ has become the unique and successful art project that I hoped it would be. The event and exhibit add to Ruston's goal of becoming an art destination, and give visual artists an additional way of exposure and networking.

Funds that are raised through an ART ON 45™ auction are used to support organizations that are devoted to work towards positive social change. Past beneficiaries include the Montessori School of Ruston for their valuable peace education program, the children's art program of the Domestic Abuse Resistance Team (D.A.R.T.), the North Central Louisiana Arts Council, who used the funds to bring a special summer art program to the local Boys & Girls Club, and “The Exchange,” a nonprofit program of the Ross Lynn Charitable Foundation for area nonprofits coming together to improve the community.

For the upcoming 2021/22 edition, the pieces will be auctioned to support the work of the Louisiana Center for the Blind (LCB), located here in Ruston. According to their motto "Changing What It Means to Be Blind", the LCB offers a wide range of innovative programs and services to blind people of all ages to guide and assist them on their journeys towards leading independent and self-sufficient as well as fun and exciting lives. For instance, this includes (visual) art experiences.
Partnering with the LCB invites opportunities to exchange thoughts about the meaning and perception of (visual) art for all. We are excited about working together!

Upcoming Auction Event

The 2021/22 ART ON 45™ auction (online) is scheduled for March 17-19, 2022. The auction site is up! - Please go to 2022 ART ON 45 Online Auction to register.

Bids can be placed not before March 17; the auction ends March 19 at 8pm. All proceeds from the auction will go to the Louisiana Center for the Blind in Ruston, LA.

Below is a preview of the 43 unique pieces of the 2022 collection selected by juror Cheryl Sutton. The works can also be viewed in person at Fine Line Supply Co. in downtown Ruston during their regular business hours.

An in-person reception will take place in the evening of March 19, 6-8:30pm at Fine Line Supply Co., 207 N Trenton Street, in downtown Ruston. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the art and the artists and be with people who love and support our community. Nice refreshments will be served. Even nicer vinyl tunes by No. 9 Books and Records! The event is open to the public, admission is free.

For more information please visit the ART ON 45™ Facebook page, the Facebook event page, or go to Instagram.

Also, please check out the write-up in Country Roads Magazine and in the Ruston Daily Leader.

Thank you very much to our wonderful sponsors: Fine Line Supply Co, Century Next Bank, HiTech Computers of Ruston, ReMax Realty/Team Crume, ELM Financial E. Luke Madden, Louisiana National Bank, Sundown Tavern, Utility Brewing Co, Amberleys Salon, Ruston Cultural District, Friends of Ruston Main Street, Creative Exchange Gallery, Amy and Christopher Stegall, No. 9 Books and Records.

(If you are an artist and would like to be part of the next round of ART ON 45™, please contact me directly about the submission details. Thank you!)