In the style of yearly tradition, the organizers of Modern Art in Idaho are assembling local and regional artists for their annual trade show. Part of the show is Art Barter…
How it works is simple: Artists can opt in to barter if they want to participate. Not all artists will.
If you find a piece you like, go to the Art Barter office in the hotel’s business center on the second floor, and write a card expressing what you would be willing to exchange.
The offers last year ranged from dentistry to lawn care,baby-sitting to machinery. Artist Troy Passey traded a piece of art to an Episcopalian pastor for a personal tour of the cathedral. Karen Bubb traded a piece for dance lessons.
Art Barter is one more thing that makes Modern Art unusual. It’s already an event geared to break down the barriers between art, artist and observer. Here they’re all in it together, O’Brien says.
“There is more impact and immediacy in the interaction,” she says.
“When people come to this event, they don’t feel they have to act a certain way. They just walk in and pick stuff up or talk to the artists. So, this act of bartering is another way for them to interact.”
