Arts Professional Story: Lucia Fabio, mini dutch

Lucia Fabio, Director of mini dutch

An interview with Britton Bertran, CAR Artist Story Editor 

I was constantly around galleries when I was a student at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, working at both the Betty Rymer Gallery and G2. I wasn’t always happy with the curatorial decisions made, and would think of how I would run the space. Since Chicago has such a rich history of birthing apartment galleries, I figured why not? Though, I didn’t realized how different it was to share that curatorial space with my living space.

Sometimes, it’s unbelievably stressful. I might not want to accommodate a bunch of people in my house. I would just want to run errands, or take a nap during gallery hours. But, at the same time, as difficult as it is to have a gallery in my apartment, it has been a great experience. I get to curate shows and get first hand experience at running a space.

How difficult was it to open mini dutch and what do you make of all these other apartment galleries opening up in Chicago?

Opening it was pretty simple, though running it is something completely different. When I was right out of SAIC, I starting to work at Threewalls gallery. One of the people I met there was Caroline Picard, the director of the Green Lantern Gallery and Press. After Bad at Sports did an interview with her about running the Green Lantern, I called her up and told her she inspired me to actually open up my own space. Caroline told me if I could get all of my information to her in less than a week, she would publish my space in Phonebook (a national directory of alternative spaces). After conversing with Caroline about the logistics of running a space, I registered for a domain name, had the address confirmed with my landlord (this was about three week before I even moved into the apartment which would host mini dutch), called AT&T about my new phone number and before I new it, I was a director of a space — with no programming. In my first year I moved tentatively, from month to month, show to show. This year I have the first five shows set; it feels amazing and bit surreal.

Chicago and apartment galleries go hand in hand: it’s great and logical. There are three major institutions (plus few smaller ones) producing a large amount of fresh, young talent. There aren’t enough venues to support this academic system, and I don’t think the commercial gallery scene can support a lot of experimental work or artists who are lacking exhibition experience. We who run apartment galleries want to show artists who deserved to be showing, but aren’t. I’ve given three people their first shows, and I hope that means something to their careers.

What advice would you give a potential apartment gallery proprietor?

A few notes…
1. Make sure that you are ready to facilitate a bunch of people in your apartment .
There are multiple ways to run an apartment gallery. My space is the “living room” of the apartment. There’s nothing separating it from the rest of my apartment, so during openings people are free to roam the living room, kitchen, hallway and bathroom. I need to make sure everything is clean and put away. I also have gallery hours on Sunday, and need to make sure everything is tidy for visitors. Then there’s the concern something might be broken or stolen during an opening, which fortunately, hasn’t happened. COMA used to run one night openings- artwork hung next to plants and in hallways- there was no division of living and showing space. But since they had one night shows, they didn’t have to keep the place clean for gallery hours. Old Gold’s space is completely separated from their living space –it occupies the basement of the apartment. So their living and exhibition spaces don’t mix. I think it’s very important to be aware of the style of space you want to be. Some require more work, and others are more stressful.

2. Really like the art you show.
I like to think of the shows at mini dutch as roommates: you don’t want to live with someone you can’t stand. Only show work that you are excited about or that makes you happy— your mood fluctuates depending on what’s occupying your living space. And what’s worse than being miserable at home?

3. Talk with people who have run or are running apartment galleries.
Everyone I know who is involved with apartment galleries and alternative spaces are more than willing to share experiences and techniques. We all want this community to thrive on these non-commercial venues. I had someone talk me through the process, and I feel that I should do the same with others to help them start up a their own space.

You also have your own practice as an artist, work as a preparator for museums and volunteer at Threewalls (non-profit gallery in Chicago). How do you find the time for all this and not go crazy?

So, you think that I’m sane? Wow, I must be doing something right. Anyone who knows me well will tell you that I’m usually stressed. I really love doing everything, and nothing feels like a chore, which is one of the reasons why I don’t lose momentum. I’ve always been studious and an overachiever, so I don’t really know how not to be busy.

When I’m working at the Museum of Contemporary Art doing preparator work, I bring my laptop and am working on mini dutch stuff during my lunch hour. If a Threewalls install overlaps with, let’s say the MCA, I’ll go to work from 9-5pm and then head over to Threewalls. My position at Threewalls is changing to administrative work, so I’ll be there one day a week, which will help by adding more continuity to my schedule.

It’s not always smooth though, I feel my studio practice is taking a back seat. I know this isn’t good practice, but I only produce when I have the opportunity to show. There have been some rearranging going on in my apartment, so what used to be an “installation room” for mini dutch is finally my studio space. Hopefully by having a dedicated space for art making and as an office I’ll be more productive with my time. And once I’m able to get everything under control, I’m sure I’ll take on a new project to make life a little more interesting.

Lucia Fabio is the former director of mini dutch gallery, another apartment gallery in Logan Square. Its mission included showing works in progress and site-specific installation. She worked as a freelance preparator at an array of venues including the Museum of Contemporary Art. When there’s not a drill in her hand, she attempts to have a visual art career. Fabio graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2007 earning a BFA with an emphasis in Sculpture and Painting and Drawing. She has exhibited in an array of venues including the short-run Kunsthalle Chicago “Dollar Store”, and Aferro Gallery in New Jersey, Her first collaborative project, mattress bunny, was on display at artXposium in the city of West Chicago, IL.