Oolite Offers Affordable Art with Shares Program

‘Domino’ by Diana Eusebio of Estudio Eusebio. Photo credit the artist.

Getting your hands on locally sourced art is easier thanks to the Oolites Arts Shares program.

Organizers say that one of the main perks of the program is attaining artwork affordably. “I think art can be a little bit intimidating for people who are not connected to the art world or don’t visit galleries or museums, but they are interested in art,” said Cherese Crocket, Oolite’s Development Senior Manager.

“Having a program like this allows accessibility…” said Crocket. “This is great for someone looking to grow their collection, or to expand their collection by supporting local artists.”

Similar to Commissioner and Locust Projects programs that make local art accessible, Shares is modeled after the Community Supported Art program launched by Springboard for the Arts and Mn Artists in Minnesota.

Video: Oolite Shares 2021 

Participants who join can purchase shares of art for a $500 flat fee. Members are then provided with 9 art pieces by 8 local artists and one mystery artist. Since each round of the program grants only 50 shares, those who are interested are urged to move quickly.

“There’s a handful available,” said Crocket. “Check out the Shares link on our website but they will go fast. They usually don’t stick around very long because there’s only 50 memberships there that are available.”

Diana Eusebio, a Miami-based multidisciplinary artist, said that the program is an excellent way to reach a range of clientele that she normally would not have access to.

She joins Liene Bosque, Carolina Cueva, Rose Marie Cromwell, Charles Hume, Jr., Pepe Mar, Edison Peñafiel and Ema Ri as Oolite’s 2023 participating artists.

“I really appreciate that it gives local artists an opportunity to bring their art into 50 different people’s homes,” said Eusebio.

“It adds 50 collectors to my roster all at once, which is crazy! And that’s really great to feel that support. And also, just in terms of financially, it supports my practice in general where I can use some of the stipend to create a new project. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to. It gives me the time, space and money to continue my practice.”

Eusebio also loves the artistic freedom that the program brings. “This gives us the flexibility and the opportunity to experiment and to make something new,” she said. “To make something that we’re really excited about personally and not worry about whether someone will buy it or if it will sell in the future. You’ve already kind of know that it will be purchased, so that’s really exciting.”

‘Spirit Guides’ by Diana Eusebio of Estudio Eusebio. Photo credit the artist.

Her latest art work, which was inspired by a recent family gathering, is a perfect example. “The series is about the connections of the importance of family reunions, and the connections that it makes between different generations.”

She recalls how wonderful it was to see everyone, especially after the pandemic. “My dad is Dominican. My mom is Peruvian. And it was just very heartwarming,” said Eusebio. “Everybody traveled from different places and seeing everybody and experiencing all that joy, it was a beautiful thing to see.”

The series is now part of the Oolite Arts’ Shares program. For additional information on Shares visit: https://oolitearts.org/shares

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