Dale Youngman Gallery at the Regent bucked the Art Walk alcohol trend by going alcohol free during the last art walk.
Only water was served to gallery goers and the results were nothing but great. People were more focused on the art. Intelligent, personal conversations with the artists were common.
The gallery had a healthy stream of visitors all evening but was not overly packed with people just hanging out drinking alcohol.
The scene was in stark contrast to some nearby galleries such as Pharmaka. There people were packed like sardines with most people drinking and socializing, blocking the art and oblivious to it.
Youngman has created a classy, ever-improving space with edgy, first-rate art. The gallery is located at 446 S. Main Street. The phone number is 213-458-3735.
Youngman is a print broker as well as a gallery curator. She prints art repros/giglees /murals /set-dec and more for artists she represents as well as many clients in the entertainment and interior design worlds.
She is also interested in meeting new artists for her upcoming shows and special events. Visit her at the Regent Gallery on Main Street.
Dale Youngman's website is digitaldesigndecor.com.
Email Dale Youngman at daleydale100@yahoo.com.
The alcohol-free Regent Gallery is now one of the top stops on Gallery Row.
13 comments:
Hurray.. cool post. =) It was neat seeing you again the other day.
The Art Walk was turning into Alcohol Walk, meekorouse. People were taking drinks from the galleries and drinking from open containers of alcohol on the street.
Dale Youngman has taken a positive step opposing that trend. She deserves support from everyone who places art (and culture) first and partying way after that.
Let's do a dog walk together soon. You and Ruby have hit it off nicely. I'll be in touch!
Joe
Joe, I'm not much of a drinker myself. I do drink, however I try to limit myself when I need to do things that makes sense. *grin*
Thank you again for the dog walk invite.
meeko
The reason that Dale stopped serving drinks is because the Regent is applying for a liquor license and the ABC does not look kindly on alcohol being served at a location that is being considered for a liquor license.
All the gallery owners have been discussing this issue for months, Most of the galleries will be going alcohol-free soon. I only serve a small amount during openings, and not every Art Walk is an opening.
Thank you for your comments, Bert, and thanks for reading Big City.
The focus of my photo essay was Dale's successful switch from alcohol to something much more healthy. I was also able, of course, to salute a great gallery and gallery owner in the process.
For you to snarl that she did it because she HAD to seems to be a bit grouchy towards another gallery and its owner.
I know about the disussions about the galleries going alcohol free. Maybe the successful results at the Regent will speed things along. I plan to salute other galleries that are alcohol free in the future.
Maybe you can explain what "not every art walk is an opening" means. Is an opening a perfect time for the booze? Must tradition be honored then?
You may wish to read (or perhaps re-read) Shirley Jackson's classic short story The Lottery. It deals with the consequences of people blindly following tradition without questioning it.
I love your blog and I love your gallery. Thanks again for visiting Big City.
Joe
Didn't mean to sound snarky, or to snarl. I am just repeating what Dale told me. She and I have a great relationship. There's no bad blood there.
At my gallery, our shows run for 2 months. The opening is on the first art walk of each show, and there is a second art walk during the run of the show. We do serve wine at the opening because the artists usually expect and demand it. I'd prefer not to, myself, and I even went 2 years not serving any drinks at all, but the artists insisted, so we do again provide wine at our openings.
That is likely going to end soon, however, because the issues surrounding alcohol at the Art Walk is taking the focus away from our core purpose, which is to show art.
It's not about blindly following tradition, however. But thanks for the reference to The Lottery. I'll make it a point to read it.
Bert, the usual absence of alcohol at your gallery shows. In general people treat the space and the exhibits with museum-like reverence.
There is always a nice flow through the gallery, unlike another space just across the street where the mingling, drinking and socializing greatly overpower the art.
I know you have been a proponent of knocking the alcohol off its Art Walk pedestal. Those of us who prefer our culture sober owe you big time!
Thank so much for the article - what a great surprise ! At first i was a little worried about what the water and juice bar would do to my art walk nights - but it has been great- More sales too actually ! The money I save on wine I now spend on tasty treats , cookies and theme refreshments too... Please come to my Valentines party on Feb. 14th and check out my "Romance " show!
I could certainly use some romance in my life! The alcohol-free Dale Youngman Gallery at the Regent sounds like just the place to find it.
I'll be there for sure on February 14!
Hi Joe, I love your blog. First - interesting stuff on Dale's wall in your photo - who is the artist?
Second - alcohol does bring more people, and I've heard the kind that may be predisposed to spend on art with a drink or two in them... That rare occurrence is offset by one too many boobs, though I'm sure.
Chris
Thank you for your nice comment and for reading Big City.
You can find out the price of the art you mentioned by contacting Dale Youngman at
daleydale100@yahoo.com.
Yes, alcohol definitely does bring in more people, but it does not necessarily mean more sales for the gallery. Dale has reported better sales on the day she went alcohol free. In addition, Bert Green Fine Art is usually alcohol free. The gallery appears to be successful on a number of levels despite the lack of alcohol.
Finely, what sort of culture is it where gallery owners need to liquor-up attendees in order to make sales? Something smells bad about that.
The "boobs" you refer to have been an increasing problem during Art Walk.
Joe
I had an opening yesterday at The Bailey Gallery. They were actually suggesting that it be alcohol free, but I leaned towards there being wine. We ended up serving wine. The show went well and we made quite a few sales, but after reading this post, I am starting to feel like maybe next time we'll just have juice and water. :)
Congratulations on your successful opening, Max.
If your art is good enough, you won't need to booze the buyers up! They'll be able to see the quality.
If you ever have a totally sober opening, let me know. I'll be there with friends.
Joe
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