Hidden Gems: Meet Dr. David Stark of The Strauss Gallery & Gift Shop

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. David Stark.

Hi Dr. Stark, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Dr. David Stark… and I’m the least qualified artist to live and work at the Artspace Hamilton Lofts artist collective in downtown Hamilton, OH. Artspace Hamilton Lofts, a $`12,000,000 project completed in 2015, offers 42 affordable residential units for artists and their families. Incoming resident artists not only have to go through the typical leasing process but are also interviewed by an artist selection committee. It’s a process very similar to being juried for admission into an art show.

Virtually talentless, I was somehow I was able to sneak in as a published writer. I wrote an academic article once that about four people have read. Within a month, we residents led a coup to get rid of the existing property manager and management company due to their disinterest in capitalizing on the building’s creative community’s fullest potential as a major player in the city’s and county’s art and culture scene.

And seeing I am the least talented artist in the building — and am always going on and on about my unique handwriting style — I got stuck with the paperwork and title of Community Manager. “Artspace is Ours!” became a slogan of our victorious revolution. But it was equally a mandate and a call to action. We’re in charge of all this now. Yay. Viva le Revolution! But, ok, shit, so now what?! We took a risk. And now we had to deliver.

Fortunately, our resident artists were quick to showcase their work, plan and host events, and get more actively involved in the community once the gallery lights were, preverbally, turned back on. And those lights were rebranded as lights of “The Strauss Gallery & Gift Shop” at Artspace.

Since then, we have consistently held exhibits, host parties, workshops, community conversations, yoga classes, benefit concerts, book signings, and more– all of which are always free and open to the public. We’ve even hosted celebrities. Peter Yarrow, the Peter from “Peter, Paul and Mary” did a solo show here a few years ago. More recently, Tony Hawk did a video shoutout to our 80 artists who participated in the “DECKED” skateboard art exhibit at the opening night event.

While we provide our resident artists with a context to display and sell their art and creations, we have enjoyed the benefits that come with expanding our reach too, often showing the work of some well-known Cincinnati and Dayton-based artists. In our most recent exhibit, we have more than 80 artists involved from 15 states and 3 countries. And I was one of them, selling my first piece of art: a handwritten poem on a skateboard! Finally, my savant-level talent of crossing t’s was good for something other than just signing checks.

Moving beyond the walls of our building, The Strauss Gallery and Strauss Crew are regularly live painting and live-performing at local events. If there is a shop-hop, a Chamber of Commerce event, a pumpkin festival, or a disc golf tournament, our brand and network of close to 100 artists are always finding a way to get involved. Our artists have contributed to several placemaking projects, such as the string-lit “Artist Alley”, a community art garden, and a variety of mural projects. So far, we’ve completed a dozen in downtown Hamilton and counting.

Active participation in the life of the city of Hamilton has not only been a fulfillment of the project’s original mission, it has always proved to be a lot of fun. And, perhaps most important, at least to me, it’s been lucrative to artists. That’s maybe the only thing I talk about more than my impeccable handwriting style:

ARTISTS SHOULD GET PAID AND PAID WELL FOR GOOD WORK!

My contribution to the arts and culture scene takes the shape of a variety of forms and contents these days. And the truth is that there is now a large team of artists and patrons who support our collective on so many levels of support and nothing I’m attached to would be possible without every one of them.

In the end, I’m most proud of the fact that so many “starving artists” have become “thriving artists” through their time at Artspace Hamilton and with The Strauss Crew. And we are always looking for more to join us in this great endeavor.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Securing funding is often a challenge. In the past, we have received several grants from local organizations, like 17 Strong, to be applied towards placemaking projects, gallery events, and a new stage. But in the end, it costs a great deal of money to host great events. The commission we receive from each of the artists or creatives who sell through us is helpful, especially if those artists themselves create a large draw. It helps, but it doesn’t offset the many costs involved.

Another challenge, now five years in, is continuing to create unique experiences for our guests. We’ve yet to primarily feature the same artists twice, so scouting for new artists to display who is the right fit for us is a larger investment than many people realize.

We’d love to hear what you think about risk-taking.
This entire project started with a major risk. And, while we’ve achieved recognition and stability, it certainly includes a day-by-day, week-by-week, month-by-month, exhibit-by-exhibit freshness of that spine-tingling feeling that comes with taking a risk. Our artists are encouraged to take a risks with their art. And it can be a vulnerable feeling.

But, to our joy, these risks continue to pay off. Even on the exhibits, in which we lose money, our artists always get paid, our patrons have new experiences and our city is benefitted. That’s a worthwhile expense almost every time. And when it is looked at from that perspective, it’s not so risky after all.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.straussgalleryandgiftshop.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheStraussGallery