It was only after receiving an email from Buffalo artist Linda Anderson regarding artists' exchange residencies that I decided to inquire about the programs. I was interested to learn that in Europe it is very common for an artist to travel abroad to show his or her work. In return, artists who show in foreign countries often establish relationships with galleries and artists, thus creating impromptu exchange programs. Linda told me that when she travels to show her work, foreign artists inquire about her city - are there places to show? Are there exchange programs? Does Buffalo promote these types of exercises? It could... and it should.

Of course we do see visiting artists, on occasion, showing at Hallwalls or the Albright-Knox. Many of these artists are well established and are able to create a stir. How about the rising artists? Or the artists that do travel the different circuits on a regular basis? Does Buffalo do enough to attract them? If we opened our doors to more foreign artists in the form of residencies (and/or shows), would that in turn open up opportunities for our own artists to exhibit abroad? Do we even have the venues to accommodate them? Or places to put them up when they arrive? Is there an opportunity here that it being squandered? I would think that the Sister City program would be an excellent way to create these symbiotic relationships.

I asked Linda to describe what artists can expect from showing works in foreign countries and she was kind enough to share her knowledge of the subject. Keep in mind that this is a two-way street, and that normal circumstances would include establishing contacts that would bring artists from abroad back to Buffalo - a mutually beneficial relationship.

From Linda:

"I've been an artist in Buffalo since 1985 with some successes and lots of fun of course.  I ran Artists Gallery for a while, started Arts Parts and did lots of other things.  Now I'm exploring Europe three months at a time and it is working out great.  This year I will be in the 7th Biennale in Gyumri, Armenia and next year in the Biennale in Nepal.  I have a show in Germany coming up in August and a current show in Leiden, Netherlands.  I graduated a long time ago from UMASS in Amherst in painting (1983) but mostly do sculpture here.  I'd like to bring some of the work home to Buffalo especially from some of the Artist in Residencies I've been in - Hungary, Moldova, Sweden, Netherlands, etc.  Shows in Enschede, Kampen, Leiden, Netherlands... on it goes.  Anyway I'd like to share some of this and encourage artists from Buffalo to pursue avenues outside the area and bring it back.

"There are indeed artists and organizations looking to do exchanges all the time in Europe, almost every country I've been to is interested in that.  Some even have funding for such things, imagine.  A lot of the artists in Europe are used to the artist in residence concept because it offers them a place to stay, work and gives them a show.  I've applied to some far away places for residencies and they are more than willing to have artists from their country travel to different countries.  

"NYC does a lot for foreign artists.  What I have found from the small number of folks I have spoken to in Buffalo is that they think it is an impossible dream to be able to do art in Europe or anywhere else and mostly they concentrate on the United States.  Plane tickets probably seem the biggest sticking point and then where to stay, how to pay for food, supplies, a foreign language, etc. - you can see how the problem grows in most minds.  If we could get them to look at it from a different angle, say look for a residency that pays you, there are some, and that once you are there, housing is usually included, you have a bedroom, kitchen, bath and studio in the arrangement, some even cook for you, and then give you a show at the end, without you putting out a lot of money.  

"The idea is to get them involved in a new artistic community and let the networking take over.  I'll give you an example.  I did a residency in Moldova, which used to be Moldovia when it was under Russian control.  Moldova is a poor country but rich in tradition and wants to promote its new freedom.  The residency I went to was out in the country, I took a train to get there but there is a big airport in the capital and the folks at the residency will come and pick you up at the train station, airport.  The small village where we stayed also had a sort of museum/residency and they worked together with the folks who planned the ceramics part.  Everything was outside, outhouse (the most primitive part) and a lodge for all of us about 15 to stay in.  The women in the village did all the cooking so we had real homemade cooking a la Russian/Moldava style.  The artist in residency was set up for ceramics (specifically raku) so we assembled the kilns from the kiln bricks and made several others.  All wood firing, which meant we learned how to do that.  We also did some experimental firing using paper kilns that we constructed too.  At the end of the time the villagers gave us a party - there was dancing and singing and a fish boil and lots of other food.  

"Our works were then show in the capital in the National Museum and we were featured on Russian and Moldovian TV as well as being in the newspaper.  The people in the country got around by horse and cart and we went to a mineral bath spa a mile or two down the road, a fancy retreat.  All in all it was wonderful. Artists who were internet starved could have access with a internet stick that you just inserted into the side of your computer.  Word of this has spread and so many more artists will be going next August.  So what did it cost me?  Well I was already in Europe so it was a train ticket for me, about 70 euros, and then 150 euros for the two week residency with supplies, food and everything provided.  If you flew straight from the states it would be more of course, but I try to combine residencies so that I just buy one round trip ticket and then that is done and I can just go to the residencies that I want.  You have to apply of course and some are much better than others - some cost a lot, I avoid those... I look at them the same way I look at vanity galleries.  

"The people you meet are wonderful and the other artists you form long term friendships with.  One thing leads to another and then you are invited somewhere else.  One opportunity leads to another, you get the idea.  So since I started doing this 'go to Europe to do art' plan in 2007 I have been in so many shows. 2 galleries in the Netherlands show my work - I've had residencies in Hungary (bronze), Sweden (ice sculpture), Netherlands (painting), Moldova (ceramics) Armenia (painting and ceramics) and have been invited to a residency in Norway for October. I've been invited to the Biennale in Armenia and an artist friend of mine just invited me to the 2011 Biennale in Nepal. I was accepted for another art project in Berlin for August, had shows in Berlin, residencies in Bremen, Germany and shows also.  I was even able to apply to be a Dutch artist and am able to receive Dutch funding even though I am American.  

"I also sell my jewelry at Thin Ice on Elmwood.  The jewelry I make for her is a combination of European things and American things, for example Dutch or German beads and American silver.  A gallery in Enschede, Netherlands carries my painted puzzles - wooden blocks (9 in all) that are painted with original paintings on six sides with a wide wooden frame.  You can change the paintings by removing the blocks and change to another painting.  Those have sold well too.  I made felt making machines for a gallery in Leiden after I learned to make felt.  And this summer I have a show up in Leiden until September - framed paper paintings and small ceramic figures based on the cave painting show I had in Armenia.  I've been invited to the Straw Festival in Croatia for next year and have been included in two books now from projects I was in.  

"So as they say in NY, "Hey you never know".  But for most Buffalo artists all this is too hard to believe or they think unattainable.  It is all out there and a lot of friendly artists to boot. When I did Artists Gallery and Arts Parts I always wanted to work with more artists than I was able to.  I'd like to see Buffalo welcome more international artists - that would really be great.  Most of them are used to getting by on little just like the rest of us. I only found one drawback - most of the European countries limit your passport stay to three months so I tend to combine European countries in the 3 months and then eastern European or similar in the non 3 month period.  Then you can stay longer.  Everything is up to the artist."