The Kenmore

The Kenmore

Address:
mobile, but recently most often at:
c/o Box 13 ArtSpace
6700 Harrisburg Blvd.
Houston, TX 77011

Email: thekenmore@gmail.com
Website: www.the-kenmore.blogspot.com, www.curationmyth.blogspot.com
Phone: 713-582-1198
Open Hours: Opening nights and by appointment

How is the project operated? For-profit, nonprofit, artist-run, etc.
Artist-run.

How long has it been in existence?
Two years in January 2012.

What was your motivation?
The Kenmore’s mission is to keep ideas fresh through the opportunity of a unique exhibition context and the experience of collaboration. This project sprung from Aisen Caro Chacin’s N Gallery, was initiated by Emily Sloan and is “run” (refrigerator humor) under Sloan’s development and guidance.

Number of organizers/responsible persons of the project.
One primary organizer with the help of rotating artists and curators per exhibition.

How are programs funded? (membership fees, public funding, sponsors, etc.)
Programs are funded by organizer, Emily Sloan.

Who is responsible for the programming? (Curators, Directors, etc.)
Curatorial Director (me) and guest curators

Number and average duration of exhibitions/events per year.
We have an average of 5 shows a year which last approximately 5 weeks each.

What kind of events are usually organized?
We have openings to view new artworks and performances.  We have hosted a FotoFest exhibition (Ink by Michael Brims), a mini-series world premiere (La Chicana Laundry’s The Freshleez), have travelled to open at other locations (The small Show at Lawndale Art Center), and have hosted formal and informal midissages.
We are also on the books as a FotoFest stop in 2012.

How is your programming determined?
Our programming is determined through discussions, invitations and shared interests.

Do you accept proposals/submissions?
Yes!

What is your artistic/curatorial approach?
My approach is to invite artists to collaborate with The Kenmore as an exhibition object.
None of the artists are ever the same after a show at The Kenmore.  A mini-series from Stephanie Saint Sanchez’s La Chicana Laundry and the inclusion of a refrigerator in Edward Lane McCartney’s upcoming exhibition at a traditional gallery have sprung from the collaborations.The Kenmore itself came from an exhibition at Aisen Caro Chacin’s N Gallery, so there is a continuous birthing process!  (I also think of the project as a continuous work in progress.)

What’s working? What’s not working?
Being “open” and staying “fresh” works.

What kind of role do you hope to play in your local art scene or community?
I hope we remain an experimental exhibition opportunity and instigator of fresh ideas!  I think both our size and context support this role.

What idea are you most excited about for the future?
I can’t wait to see what the artists come up with next!

Images courtesy of The Kenmore.