Wednesday, July 16, 1975 THE MICHIGAN DA[LY Page Fifteen LOCAL ART GALLERIES: Talentdoesn't aywayspay the bis By BILL TURQUE Although leaves will soon be starting to turn their color and fall from the trees, the visual arts are blossoming in Ann Arbor. For both the passionate art lover and the weekend gallery hopper, there are numerous and varied chances to pursue the best work of local artists, in addition to the latest from national and international art capitals. Art for art's sake not withstanding, galleries are businesses. Rent, advertising and other expenses must be paid for, primarily from the commissions galleries receive on sales. Consequently, many of the city's more established exhibitors shy away from artists who lack at least some notoriety. "WE DON'T give a show to an artist unless they have had some exposure," said Alice Simsar, co-owner of the Lantern, at 301 N. Main. She said the Lantern does not take on many local artists because "one can be- come isolated." "It is important to keep up with what is going on in places like New York and Chicago," Simsar said. She admits decisions on what works to exhibit in- variably become personal ones, reflecting "what direc- tion a gallery chooses to go in." "WHILE WE tend to deal more with abstract works," said Simsar, "one has to maintain some sort - of balance." "It is important to be objective," said Hedger -Breed, owner of Repartee, a comparatively new gallery at 218 Washington. Breed, once an artist himself, seems to be searching for a compromise between the eco- nomic necessities of showing commercially viable art, nd giving exposure to talented unknowns. "I don't have any unpreconceived notion of what sells," Breed claimed, "but I'm very sure of myself and my personal instincts." THE FORSYTHE Galleries, on the second floor of the Nickels Arcade, is the city's oldest and, to some, most prestigious art dealer. For the most part, only the works of well established artists see the inside of Forsythe. "If I feel that an artist deserves to be seen," said Forsythe's Daniel DeGraaf, "I'll try to steer him to another gallery" One observer of the local art scene said it seemed as if many members of the University's art school faculty were "literally under contract" to Forsythe. DeGraaf acknowledged that he had "gentlemen's agree- ments" with eight or nine faculty members to show their work exclusively at the Forsythe. THERE ARE, however, at least two local galleries designed to ease artists of th no-e posure-no-show, no- show-no-exposure merry-go-round. The Union Gallery, on the first floor of the Michigan Union, is specifically designed to help younger artists get their work shown. At 3 Oper cent, the Union's commission is compara- "The scope of gallery activity is by no means limited to the professional outlets. Two of the city's most popu- lar bookstores, Borders and David's Books, both have small galleries, as do the Rackham Graduate School and the Undergraduate Library." tively low, and can be kept that way only through heavy underwriting by the Michigan Union. Artists showing their works at the Union have to do more in the way of preparation than at the commercial galleries. But money is still tight and the gallery is looking for ways to generate more revenue. This fall, the Union will be opening a print room where reproductions priced at $10 and up will be available. Bi-monthly concerts and dances in conjunction with the School of Music and the dance department are also planned. ANOTHER alternative to the commercial galleries is the University's North Campus Commons. Exhibitions running from water colors to tapestry have been organized over the past few years by the building's supervisor, Natalie McMinn. Her work in this area has been strictly extracurricular, and she has received no money or resources from the University. The revenue from the modest 20 per cent commission she charges is used to purchase pieces of art for the building, enlivening what is essentially a rather drab array of vending macihnes, cafeterias, and conference rooms. McMinn tells the exhibiting artists: "I'll give you the walls, loan you a ladder and a hammer, but that's about all." THE PROGRAM has enjoyed good success with the gallery solidly booked through next June. While art exhibitions may seem to be thriving in Ann Arbor, the attrition rate is quite high. DeGraal estimates 85 per cent close before the end of their first year of operation. Jacob's Ladder, a popular gallery near the Farmer's Market, fell victim to the money pinch in early June. One art establishment that does not have to worry about its business Ls the University's Art Museum, to- cated on State St., right next to Angell Hall. Museum Director Brett Waller said he likes to keep the con- tent of the museum's exhibitions in touch with the sur- rounding scholarly community. "WE TRY NOT to operate in a vacuum," said Waller. This fall's shows at the museum include the works of Chicago sculptor Richard Hunt, 18th century prints and drawings, and in November, "images of love and death in medieval and renaissance art." The Jean Paul Slusser Gallery, located on North Campus at the University's Art and Architecture School, is primarily an outlet for student and faculty work. .............. Arcade Laundr THE ONLY 24-hour Laundromat ON CAMPUS The Arcade Laundry shares its Maynard St. storefront with Saguaro Plants. There is always someone in attendance to give [ nhange. the shadow of the Maynard St. parking structure. 33 m ynard ..