apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

The level of photography sophistication in San Francisco, home base of the WS folks, is really high.

San Francisco was a touchstone of early photographers and gallerists....and is still a destination for The Fraenkel Gallery, photography strengths at The De Young and SFMOMA among others.

I'm not surprised. Bravo.

S

Maybe this is like the equivalent of Target's approach to bringing fashion to the masses. I wouldn't buy these photographs (I prefer more challenging art) but I do agree that anything helping gain exposure for the artists is a step in the right direction. It might encourage someone who fell in love with one of these lower-priced prints to go out and splurge on the "real thing" later, when they have the funds later on.

Go SCAD! I'm an alum myself and I'm really happy that West Elm is giving this opportunity to students and SCAD professors.

I went to SCAD as well and noticed names of people I knew in the most recent West Elm Catalog. How surreal. Guess I should have gone into Photography instead of Illustration. haha.

Really? What year?
2005 for me.

Nice exposure for the younger artists, but overpriced for open editions. I feel a little bad for the buyers who may eventually figure that out, and as a result not enjoy their artwork purchase quite as much.

SCAD photo student here too... this collection is continuing as we have just received a fresh call for entries from west elm.

As a student, I can tell you that if you truly desire a particular piece you've seen from the open editions, merely track down the student via Google or by contacting the SCAD Alumni office. I know that most, if not all, of the photographers would be more than happy to sell you a signed, closed edition that is probably printed better.

I visited Savannah this spring and fell in love with a photo series that I saw at a cafe. The manager pointed me to SCAD shop where I was able to get the contact information for the artist (Chia Chong)

Not only did she help me decide which print would look best in my space, but she took care of the mounting and shipping, too (and all of this happened through email).

I realized that I'd seen her work before in the West Elm catalog, but it doesn't impact how I feel about buying her work at all. I really enjoy dealing directly with the artist (as I have with other pieces I own).

I think it's a lot like the fashion industry - many designers do entry-level lines for stores like Target and Kohl's while maintaining successful couture business, too.