What is Art Does It?
Art
Does
It
was a quip I made to Benno when Tage and I first met him in New York, early 2000’s.
“Art Does IT!”
I liked the encapsulation and open endedness.
Tage and Benno laughed—
And, at gallery openings —-it’s a safe conversation—
(hello and …what does art do for you?
therapy, completeness, escape, answers, hope, memory, pain, healing, gift, payment, honor, history, feeling, peace, pride —-)
I didn’t consider Art Does It a call to action until Benno and I decided to organize the Mobile city artists in 2015. I designed the logo.
Art Does It then took its “brand”:
2015 Art Does It (ADI) is a registered domain, trademark, website, and a proposal to the Mobile City Arts Council.
2018 Art Does It (ADI) is a (501c3) non-profit founded with my second artist husband Benno Kollegger.
Our mission in Benno’s six words :
To live for Art,
not from it
note: Some people love acronyms. The acronym ADI (pronounced Ah Di) was Benno’s mother’s name.
We enjoyed saying her name, it keeps her spirit alive.
Our little arts org “ADI” became the center on a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico.
Then,
2019-COVID “smashed up” in-person art. ADI and Benno’s health declined.
2020- The CAT SOUTH roof is destroyed
2022- Following Benno’s death I questioned “How long should art live” and the Heavy Waters series began on Substack.
2023 - ADI, the publication and @artdoesit the artist join my first artist husband, Tage, in the Center for Art and Trades (CAT) North + South.
— art, process, life——art, does, it—
I’m excited for 2024. And here it is. After several stints in the “loony bin” I am back with a loving vengeance.
Yes.
Art has always “done it” for me and the people I love.
I hope Art Does It, and continues to “do it”, for you too!
-Regina
Why Subscribe and Support ADI?
You can subscribe for free and receive my monthly letter plus occasional posts.
For $8.00 a month (or $80.00 a year) you can join the Art Does It community (chat, threads, comment on posts) and receive a weekly note.
In addition to my weekly letter, a subscription includes updates from:
— Like Lists (what I like each week)
— Sketchbook (shorter, more personal pieces, usually includes)
— ‘See How You Are’ (insights into writing of the memoir)
— Discount on CAT art and trade instructional videos
Paid subscribers are the first to hear Art Does It and Center for the Art and News, access the full archive, and support our art work.
While we live for Art and not from it, your support directly fuels creation.
Thank you for your support!
