A lot of people have been asking me recently how I got started with Ghost Gallery. What exactly do I do, and why? How? So, I figured I'd write down the story! Sometimes when you're so involved with what you're doing, you forget to step back and remember what motivated you in the first place...so I thank those of you who have inspired me to look more deeply into this-
Before I moved to Seattle, I had been in touch with a gallery in Pioneer Square (which shall remain unnamed) regarding an internship. I was so excited, because I had been hearing over and over how difficult it was to get a job, how "elitist" the gallery circuit could be, etc. So I thought it was pretty lucky that I could move to Seattle and not worry about it, and have something already lined up to get me in the door.
Well.
I moved here in June of 2005, right after finishing my degree in Richmond, Va. I emailed and called the gallery several times as soon as I arrived, and received no response whatsoever. For 2 weeks! I was confused, and a little worried- So I started job hunting, and thinking of a back-up plan.
Then during the 3rd week, I decided to go to the gallery during the Pioneer Square 1st Thursday artwalk, and see for myself what was going on- Maybe they just weren't getting my messages, or were just insanely busy (?)- I went down there and walked into a crowded event at the gallery. I was impressed by the size and how nice it was. I immediately picked out the owner amidst the crowd (tall with bow-tie said it all). I went up to him and introduced myself: "Hi, I'm Laurie Kearney, I've been in touch with you over the past several months regarding working here...I just moved here from Richmond, yada yada." He was perfectly nice and "excited" to meet me, he hadn't known I was here yet, and would be in touch with me.
Ok! Getting somewhere!
?
Another couple of weeks goes by and I'm finally told via email that I need to apply for the position there, that there is no internship open, and please send in my resume. At which point, (I mean I had already moved on in a way), I said forget it. How discouraging. How disappointing.
So, I felt bad for a little while, got a scary job at Nordstrom doing skincare for a while (thank you back-up trade!), quit and did temp work, and pondered my next move...
It wasn't until the following December that I hosted my first art opening as an independent curator at the Pretty Parlor on Capitol Hill (for Robin Marsh, amazing painter and now close friend). It took months of planning; How would I pull off being able to throw art events in a town I was so new to? But I am one lucky woman, because I had met incredible people that were (and are) with me every step of the way towards "just going for it." The opening was a success, thanks to Anna Banana, Jacob, Robin and everyone who supported me and the idea, and WAH-LA! An independent curator was born!
What was my motivation? I had felt really discouraged and frustrated at how I was treated by that gallery... and I thought, how many people does this happen to? TONS. ALL THE TIME. It's not really in my nature to step aside and give up so easily, so I did something about it. After having applied to other galleries in town with no luck, I decided to just do it myself, go into business. So while I'm here, I have made it my goal to curate quality, encouraging and unique art events for as long as I can, without the intimidating process that often goes hand-in-hand with typical gallery shows.
I would love to have my own gallery space of course, but financially it is far out of reach at this time- So by working independently, I can show work in a variety of venues that need art for their walls, and either don't have the time or resources to make that happen.
I absolutely love what I do, and it's has been 2 amazing years of almost monthly events here in Seattle. I've met incredible artists and made many friends. And that is my story so far.
