threesquared

Address: 427 Chestnut St. studio 223, Nashville, TN 37203
Email: threesquaredgallery@gmail.com
Website: www.threesquaredgallery.com
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How is the project operated? How long has it been in existence?
Threesquared is an artist-run space that was formed in December 2007. It is housed in my [Dane Carder’s] 1100 square foot studio.

What was your motivation?
The motivation behind it’s conception was both the 33 foot long, twelve foot high exhibition wall, and the lack of mid level “gallery” spaces in Nashville. As a native Nashvillian, I have been long aware of this missing piece in the arts community. I spent years needing a space to show, but not yet being ready for top galleries, nor willing to show in makeshift spaces, I was left with very few options.

Number of organizers/responsible persons of the project.
For three and a half years, I ran it by myself, showing only about four shows per year. A year and a half ago, I brought in a co-curator to professionalize my original concept.

How are programs funded? Who is responsible for the programming?
Number and average duration of exhibitions/events per year.
Threesquared is a self-funded space and we generally host an opening every six weeks. Sara Estes, the co-curator, and I work together to plan the exhibits. We have a similar vision.

What kind of events are usually organized? How is your programming determined?
Do you accept proposals/submissions?
We have not taken submissions yet, as we have researched and invited artists that we are interested in showing. Usually, we host an opening, and the show is available during the week with hours of operation that vary according to my studio schedule. We have hosted a couple of video nights, and have planned a book signing for the near future…we just recently brought in a local artist as curator that was interested in culling a group of artists from around the country to exhibit work around a theme.

What is your artistic/curatorial approach?
We strive to exhibit work that is both strong conceptually and technically. We like to vary the aesthetic of the shows, and not stick with a particular format.

What’s working? What’s not working?
What is working at threesquared is that artists are getting opportunities to exhibit work that deserves to be shown. In the last year and a half, we have established a reputation for hosting spirited, classy, smart, and creative exhibits. Threesquared has helped begin to fill the void that I recognized years ago. With the gallery model in complete flux at this time, artist-run spaces take on more responsibility. That leads me to what doesn’t work, and that is the lack of “commercial success” in the gallery. Both for the exhibiting artists, and for Sara and I, it would be nice to break even. I did not start threesquared as a commercial endeavor, and i don’t see it as a money making business, but having the gallery pay for itself is a desired goal.

What kind of role do you hope to play in your local art scene or community?
I hope that threesquared can help inspire artists to conceptualize and create work for the space… as well as possibly take the initiative to curate/host an exhibit in another space.

What idea are you most excited about for the future?
For the future of the gallery, I look forward to seeking out a new, certain undefined type of art to exhibit. Also, we plan on finding more photographers that are doing unusual work. We will try to examine the options for raising funds to help operate the gallery.

Images courtesy of threesquared.