(Pic #1) Interior, sidewalk “cube” gallery in Seattle, Washington — a community project that operates on the premise “take one, leave one.”
It’s definitely a different kind of “public art.” And people are flocking to it. It’s a simple white cedar box on the curb, measuring 15 x 18 inches.
You may have seen little roadside free “libraries” in your town. I’ve seen many in suburban neighborhoods like Nashville. Same concept…. with a little more “hands-on” love.
(Pic #2) Artist Stacy Milrany and perhaps the tiniest free art gallery in the world.
A Seattle artist named Stacy Milrany decided it was the perfect time to bring a little joy into the lives of her Queen Anne community neighbors. The idea came to her after her mom was diagnosed with cancer, and she wanted to send a daily work of art to her to ease her anxiety over chemotherapy. Pretty soon friends contributed their own pieces —over a hundred — and they were all just roughly 4 x 6 inches each.
When the pandemic hit, Stacy knew it was time to expand, and bring some light into these dark days. She painted 500 more works, and encouraged her instagram followers to donate art to residents of nursing homes and those isolated from family..
(Pic #3) The gallery comes with perfectly sized miniature “visitors” to offer a sense of scale.
Then, last month, the brainstorm hit: in these challenging times, art can make a difference. “Welcome to the smallest free art gallery in the world” she said. “If you like a piece, take it. And please leave another one for the next art lover stopping by.”
Now while the gallery operates on the honor system, mysteriously there’s one piece missing. Someone lifted one of the not-for-sale plastic figurines. It’s a 7-inch chef making macaroni and cheese. Stacy made posters saying “if you know of Chef’s whereabouts, you may return him with no questions asked.”
Art is a serious business.
