Looking to buy art from a local artist this holiday season? There’s an app for that.
Art and technology merge with ArtClvb, an app created to connect artists with fellow creators and prospective buyers. On Saturday, ArtClvb presents Studio Deals Midwest, an in-person and virtual art show taking place across seven Midwest cities, including Toledo.
At Studio Deals Midwest, which will be held at 219 Southard Ave. (the site of the former Toledo Day Nursery) from noon to 5 p.m., some of the area’s best artists will assemble to offer their creative works for sale. Nothing particularly revolutionary about that. But you add the ArtClvb app into the mix and you have a cutting edge art event that serves as a glimpse into where the art world is heading.
Artists and ArtClvb founders Steve and Dorota Coy live in Detroit and realized firsthand that it can be hard for artists to get the word out about their works, particularly in the Midwest.
“While the galleries are really supportive of artists, there just isn’t necessarily enough of them to support all the artists who are out there, so we decided to use technology to create an app that would really help the whole art ecosystem and to fill in the gaps in the art world,” said Steve. “The idea is to help make the artist and their art accessible to the local public in these little ecosystems.”
By “ecosystems,” Steve meant the seven Midwest cities that are participating in Studio Deals Midwest, including Ann Arbor, Akron, Cleveland, Chicago, Detroit, Toledo, and Ypsilanti.
“The Midwest Studio Deal is an opportunity for us to find the talent, have them show their artwork and find people who might be interested in learning about their artists in their local cities,” said Steve.
The app allows artists in various cities to post their works for sale and allows patrons to purchase those works. There’s also a map showing where different artists have their galleries.
But in the case of Toledo, all the participating artists in Studio Deals Midwest will be meeting at one location — 219 Southard Ave. Patrons can show up at the event or simply download the ArtClvb app and inspect the artwork through the convenience of phone or tablet.
“A person who wants to check out the artwork can choose their own adventure,” said Steve. “They can download a map of studios in the city where they can meet with all the different artists. Toledo is a big meet because all the artists are participating in one location, so it should be really good for all the artists.”
Dorota Coy, CEO of ArtClvb, said the company was “focused on inspiring a new generation of art buyers and supporting emerging artists.”
"Our platform shines a spotlight on incredible, often overlooked artists, helping them connect with buyers and giving collectors an easy way to discover and support new talent," said Dorota.
Toledo artist Cyd Gottlieb is one of the participating artists at Studio Deals Midwest.
“It’s a very new experience I think for everyone involved,” said Gottlieb. “I’ve heard really good success stories.”
The artist, who has worked in a variety of media including painting and glass, said the accessibility of working with the app is what sticks out most to her.
“ArtClvb is a new and transparent way for artists to collect payment and promote their work through the app,” Gottlieb said. “I think the idea is accessibility, specifically for artists and collectors who choose to live in the Midwest.”
After the show, there will be an afterparty at the Attic (1701 Adams St.) beginning at 5 p.m.
For more information, visit artclvb.xyz/studio-deals.
First Published December 6, 2024, 1:22 p.m.
