Nature of Suggestion: Looking Back

As we wrap up David Sites’ “Nature of Suggestion” exhibit, SEAD Gallery would like to share with you some reflections on what the last 5 months have looked like for us. Here is a breakdown of what his art has brought to the gallery – by the numbers.

According to our guestbook, David’s work has drawn close to 1000 visitors including a suspect signature from a one “Johnny Manziel.” Our “Piece of the Week” series has featured over 15 works from his collection, offering insight into each piece and David’s personality as an artist. We have even had the pleasure of hosting David in the gallery on several First Fridays during his show to speak with patrons of SEAD Gallery. During those First Friday events, we have consumed, with lots of help from our visitors, more than 20 bottles of wine, 5 lbs of cheese, and 20 pounds of fruit. David has even been lucky enough to see nine of his paintings be sold to individuals who will display them proudly in their homes for years to come.

But what David’s art has done for our gallery, for him, and for the community cannot really be measured in numbers. There is no way to measure the impact it has had on those who have laid eyes on it. We can only guess at what emotions his impressionistic landscapes have conjured; the way “Moon Light Cast” might have reminded someone of a late-night encounter with the divine, or that “Storm Front” gave clarity in a difficult season of life.

Although many studies have shown the positive ripple effect it can have on a community in terms of economic development, the value of art, including David’s, cannot really be measured in economic or sociological terms. Perhaps, rather, the value lies intrinsically in the joy David received from creating it – from seeing his work produce smiles, tears, deep sighs of relief, even new perspectives on life. Maybe if those things could be measured the numbers would tell a different story.