When the Mills Gallery created an exhibition last year aimed at fostering the creativity and careers of emerging artists, it was a hit with both artists and lovers of art. Year two—which will run October 31 to December 15—promises to build off the momentum established by the inaugural Winn-Win Emerging Artists Exhibition.
The original event was conceived by Juan Pablo Santa Luna, the gallery’s executive director and artist-in-residence, and the late philanthropist Michael Winn. The two had built a relationship through their mutual connection to the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, for which Winn was a benefactor and Santa Luna was the cultural ambassador.
Winn and his wife, Gail Cox Adams, had underwritten Orlando Museum of Art’s annual Florida Prize in Contemporary Art since its inception. But that prestigious competition was for established artists. Winn told Santa Luna that there ought to be a high-profile showcase somewhere for artists who were just getting started.
“That’s when we proposed creating an event for the opposite—for the people who need the help, who don’t know the ins and outs of the art world, says Boris Garbe, the innovative venue’s gallerist. “We look at it as we’re building a sister event, a yearly event that doesn’t compete with the Florida Prize but helps artists equally.”
The exhibition certainly provides exposure—but it’s about more than that. Santa Luna and Garbe put the artists through a “boot camp” of sorts and teach them the business side of art. They’re coached on how to approach a gallery, how to speak on panels in front of audiences, how to navigate interviews and generally how to position themselves to make sales.
Days before last year’s inaugural cohort of eight talented artists debuted their collections, Winn died at age 82 having not seen the result of his suggestion. But his legacy was felt just the same and continues to drive the mission.
Last year’s exhibition raised $10,000 for the Atlantic Center for the Arts. Among the eight artists featured, Juan David Tena ended up scoring the first solo exhibition for a Colombian photographer at Orlando Museum of Art. And octogenarian Linda Hobby sold three pieces and is launching a podcast. (Emerging artists don’t have to be young artists.)
Several participants in the first exhibition will serve as mentors to the five emerging artists featured in this year’s exhibition. Applications are accepted from an all-call to artists and the chosen few are selected by Garbe, Santa Luna—who is also curating the event—and local artist Victor Bokas.
Bokas is best known for his installations at Orlando City Hall, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando International Airport and the Mennello Museum of American Art. Two others who participate in the selection process are anonymous. The overall winner, selected by the same panel, will get his or her own event at Mills Gallery.
“The Winn-Win Emerging Artists Exhibition is just a taste of what we’re creating,” says Santa Luna. “It’s very important that people know that we’re here. And we’re doing unconventional things in order to move the community forward.”
Mills Gallery is located at 1650 North Mills Avenue, Orlando. For more information, visit millsgalleryoforlando.com or call 855.336.3653.
