The Fence Art show took place in the Brooklyn Museum’s parking lot every June for over fifteen

The Fence Art show took place in the Brooklyn Museum’s parking lot every June for over fifteen years, from the mid-1960s through the early 1980s. This unconventional exhibition allowed the institution to literally and figuratively escape the traditional boundaries of the museum space: any Brooklyn-based artist could participate, the artworks were displayed on the fences that surround the museum’s parking lot, and all of the art was for sale. Photos from these exhibition make clear that this event was not only well-attended, but also that it was fun! This unusual exhibition’s unpretentious atmosphere encouraged visitors and local artists to mingle and discuss art casually, while enjoying Brooklyn’s early summer weather.A 1974 poster explains that the show, which included over 200 local artists, was attended by a panel of judges who would “award winners in all categories - painting, sculpture, graphics, ceramics, and crafts”. Winning artists had the opportunity to participate in a Community Gallery show the following year. Although the event was democratic in the sense that it encouraged the participation of all Brooklynites, the museum maintained a pretty firm boundary between outside and inside, selectively inviting the winning artists to show within the confines of the building. For artists who made the cut, it provided a rare opportunity to exhibit within the walls of a prestigious institution. And for those whose work remained on the fence, there was always next year!Posted by Ella Milliken Detro -- source link

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