UNITED ARTISTS OF SECOND LIFE

COMPE LOCKWOOD

If art is what you seek, in any form, genre, or medium, United Artists of Second Life (UASL) should be your first stop. You won’t need a second one.

These creative folks– craftspeople, sculptors, artists, and more –interact with visitors. They stage formal exhibitions, small group gatherings, and impromptu meet and greets. UASL is an artists’ community that welcomes the rest of us.

The full-region site of cyber canvases adheres to its goal as expressed by the owner, Riannah Avora.

“UASL is an artist group in SL that shares and communicates regarding various art events and opportunities open to the artist community,” she notes, explaining her endeavor. “We may not be what some would consider a ‘typical art gallery’, nor do we wish to be.

We are simply artists that host opportunities for other artists. We encourage people to use their imagination and to continue to learn different methods of creating art. We provide a full region for artists to exhibit their 3D or 2D work as well as a building platform to assist artists with a place to actually create their work.”

Seeing is believing, and seeing this site is eyepopping. “It is a full region,” says Riannah, as she and partner Chelo show BOSL visitors the many levels of creativity. “We are always tweaking things and exhibitions. Shows are ever-changing.”

This is not a typical art museum/gallery with permanent fixtures offering a safe refuge for spiderwebs. Most UASL exhibits have a threemonth term. It is never stale. “We have opening events for almost every exhibit,” Riannah notes. “Some are solo displays. Some are group-oriented projects of two or more artists.

New artists like to participate in group exhibits first, usually because it allows them to get a good feel of what exhibiting is like, without being thrown into the spotlight by themselves. For artists, exhibiting their work can be overwhelming, especially when they are just getting started.”

She adds, “Our purpose here is two-fold. We provide resources for artists to exhibit and sell their work, of course, but we also assist other galleries. New gallery owners ask me questions regarding how to get started, how to do things.

We help them. In return, they often post notices in the UASL group about opportunities and exhibits they have at their galleries for our artists. Everyone benefits.”

She believes firmly, “You cannot fully support the artists if you don’t support the other galleries as well.”

Upon landing at the site, walk up to the hexagon which offers teleport options and other information, including: Main Station, Galerie Principale, Pequena Galleria, and Lotus Plateau Islands. In addition, the 6-sided disc is the gateway to supporting merchants, recreation, a 2D Multiplex, and even a café. Have an expresso with a future Picasso? How cool is that?

The Art Community and Resources of SL’s board are helpful, too. On this visit, the cyber panel lists 30 art resources that anyone can access. Current galleries are displayed.

I chose Art Korner Main Gallery and poof! There I was– they even offered me a cup of coffee.

Riannah adds, “We have a platform where artists build and help others. Artists as well as art lovers come to look at all of the amazing art we have here.

Tour shuttles transport visitors to view the exhibits on the ground level. That’s a fun way to see the art here.”In addition, UASL has vehicles people can play on and see the exhibits on their own. “We have a game room below Galerie Principale with several games. We invite anyone to come and hang out any time!” Riannah says.

Artists’ numbers vary, depending on exhibitions and schedules. “Currently we have over 20,” Chelo adds. But he recalls that 150–200 artists have displayed their works at UASL exhibits. Several of them exhibit multiple times a year.

Riannah’s partner also works here. “He’s my slave–” Riannah laughs. “Just kidding. Chelo built the gallery you just saw.”

He adds, “I just try to help with everything I can.” And he smiles. “I do what she can’t.”

Christ Craft is an artist primarily of 3D work. He is also on the administrative team. “Riannah and UASL gave me a corner to do my weird stuff,” he explains with a smile.

Riannah corrects him, “It is not weird.”

The two met back in the days of the now defunct Linden Endowment for the Arts. LEA provided 20 regions for artists to network and create. It was fun while it lasted.

When Linden Labs closed LEA, Riannah saw devastated artists no longer having “a place to be.” She rented one-fourth of a sim and brought in a lot of former LEA patrons. The fledgling community from humble beginnings became UASL, one of As for the future, UASL looks forward to the New Year. “We constantly evolve,” says Riannah. “It is never boring here. I am sure there will be a lot of exciting things going on as always. We will get better and better!”

And better it is at UASL, the complex encompassing patrons, friends, and fans through sculpture, paintings, 3D and 2D, and a world of pixel pallets.

Artists that host opportunities for other artists.