SAVE ART SPACE interview JORGE PEREZCHICA
Founded in 2015, SaveArtSpace is a non-profit organization co-founded by Travis Rix and Justin Aversano. The organization works to create an urban gallery experience, launching exhibitions that address intersectional themes and foster a progressive message of social change. By placing culture over commercialism, SaveArtSpace aims to empower artists from all walks of life and inspire a new generation of young creatives and activists. SaveArtSpace presented a group public art exhibition on billboards throughout the Coachella Valley, CA in 2020. SaveArtSpace transformed advertisement space into public art by and for the local community. With the aim at providing artists opportunities to display their work and inspire a new generation of artists. Curated by Sofía Enríquez. Selected artists in 2020 are Janet Zepeda, Brian Pescador, and Wane Kan. The public exhibition was on view for one month in spring 2020. Coachella Magazine reached out to ArtSpace Co-founder Justin Aversano and Coachella Valley based artist Sofia Enriquez to tell us more about their experience. Art Space Co-founder Justin Aversano How did Save Art Space come together in the Coachella Valley from start to finish? JUSTIN AVERSANO: This public art exhibition came to fruition in the Coachella Valley with Sofia Enriquez as a curator because we wanted to support more artists outside of Los Angeles and in the desert. We know and have showcased Sofia’s work in the past for a project called, 100% LA with Otis College in 2018, where Sofia had attended. Our organization continues to work with past artists and provides opportunities for them to be
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curators and discover new artists through our open call platform. The local artists were selected by Sofia and showcased as close to their homes as possible. What was the response from community? We had a marvelous response, especially since covid-19 restrictions kept people indoors, this was a place for people to enjoy artwork in a safe way. Although, we had never intended or thought about a pandemic while we were planning this exhibition and holding the open call since December. These public art spaces became a beacon of hope in a difficult time for the local community. With the pandemic surging and Coachella canceled in 2020, what impact did this have on the project? Fortunately, the cancellation did not affect us. We had minor intentions of cross-promoting with the Coachella Festival, as this project was meant solely for the citizens of Coachella Valley to enjoy. In the end, it allowed the true desert dwellers to enjoy what was made by and for their artists. Anything else you’d like to add? If you would like to have a public art exhibition in your neighborhood. Please, reach out to us and we will do our best to bring art to your community. Additionally, you can hold a gofundme fundraiser if you’d like to start your own public art show on billboards! We encourage you to submit your artwork at saveartspace.org/submit and if you’d like to donate to our nonprofit to keep supporting artists in your area or across the country you can do that at saveartspace.org/donate
