Report on HOAST 2007 & Other artHARLEM things
HOAST 2007, The 3rd Annual Harlem Open Artist Studio Tour was a success! 

Our Visitors
Over 2000 visitors attended HOAST. Our surveys and informal conversations show that attendees this year included more people who were knowledgeable about art, and not just real estate lovers. Visitors had used the internet and our website to research artists, and were comfortable talking to artists about their art. Attendees had enjoyed HOAST the previous year and were returning to complete their tours; those who visited east Harlem studios last year, started their tour in west Harlem, while others moved through studios in north Harlem. Visitors included gallery owners and directors from Dumbo and Chelsea, some in search of new talent; three HOAST-2007 participating artists were offered group show opportunities on the spot. The Shuttle bus: While HOAST is attracting attendees with a sincere interest in modern art, there were still quiet a few visitors who need an introduction to art. For them, walking into a private space wasn’t easy; most didn’t know where to begin their conversation with the artist about art. As an experiment, we appropriated one of three shuttle buses, and created an impromptu tour of six studios: two in central, two in east and two in west Harlem. The tour was conducted by staff members Reuben Sinha on Saturday and Jason Swift on Sunday. The stops were chosen taking attendees interests into consideration. The guided tour was a success for all involved, attendees enjoyed having an artist guide them through the open studios, leading a discussion on art. This aspect of HOAST can be further developed, and is under heated debate.E-mail us your suggestions.The Artists: Every year we expand on the HOAST experience; this year some participating artists gave demonstrations of their work, allowing visitors to appreciate the artistic process. HOAST again included performance artists, including the composer Yoon, and the Bill T Jones Dance Company.  artHARLEM directors, Gina Fuentes Walker, Janice Taylor and Reuben Sinha, all spent most of the HOAST2007 weekend visiting the various studios of Harlem. Our experience made us aware of the need to organize a series of Studio Visits, as a way for artists to develop a dialogue about their work.

HOAST 2008 will be held on October 4 & 5, 2008, from 1pm to 6pm.
Applications will be available on-line beginning March 1, 2008. Because our work in artHARLEM is increasing beyond HOAST.

Membership
has been divided into two categories: 1. artHARLEM membership: $60/annual. Includes HOAST, larger artist webpage, and exhibition opportunities beyond HOAST, and 2. HOAST membership: $40/annual. Participation in HOAST and artists webpage.

Website
www.artHARLEM.org is currently being updated to work more efficiently and carry more information. On-line applications for HOAST2008 will be made available in March. Artists will be able to register for HOAST online, upload their own images and make edits to their ‘artists page’. our website will also have a Community Page, where members can post and exchange info about studio space, resources, opportunities and anything else newsworthy, and Event Calendar, containing information about artHARLEM Artist-Get-Togethers,  Artist Studio Visits, and a schedule of artHARLEM staff meetings.

artHARLEM and HOAST Staff Meetings
are generally held on Sunday mornings at 8:30am at Settepani. If you would like get involved with the planning of HOAST2008, please contact Gina Fuentes Walker via email at gina@artharlem.org.

New artHARLEM Projects
Studio Visits
As a HOAST participant you may not have been able to leave your studio to visit other artists. In response to artists requesting opportunities to visit each other’s studios, we began a new artHARLEM series of studio visits. So far we have had the opportunity to see the work of Allicette Torres, Leah Keller and Betty Thornton. The series is being coordinated by Gina Fuentes Walker who is contacting artists and scheduling a time in our calendar of events. Come and see the work of your fellow artists, find out about their artistic procedures and  purpose.

Exhibition Opportunities
artHARLEM is currently sending curatorial proposals to select galleries across the country. The theme of our exhibition: Contemporary Art of Harlem, a show of member artists. If you are interested in applying, please send us a CD or email us at artHARLEM@gmail.com with the following:

1. 300 dpi, 4” X 6” jpeg images of  recent work
2. Word Document - List of artwork titles, dimensions, mediums and prices,
3. artists bio as word doc.
4. photo of yourself
5. artists resume as word doc.