Viridian Artists is pleased to present an exhibition of artists who are all under 30 years of age. “30 Under 30“ continues from February 25th to March 14th, with a reception to meet the artists, Thursday February 27TH, 6-8PM. There will also be a closing reception on Saturday, March 14th, 4-6PM at which some of the winning artists will talk about their work.

In a world changing culturally and politically more rapidly than ever, the ways artists look at their lives and times through art making is reflected in this exhibit by artists under 30 years of age. Gleaned from a juried “Call for Art”, Viridian wanted to discover what young artists are thinking about and creating art about in these times.

The work was selected from a wide range of submissions by Kelly Kivland, a curator at the DIA Art Foundation. Holding a master’s degree from the Center for Curatorial Studies at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, Kivland has curated numerous exhibits of art at both DIA’s Beacon location and at their Chelsea location.

The struggle to be an artist full time is a dream few can afford and making art in shared spaces is the rule rather than the exception. Consequently, Viridian not only invites a curator to jury this competition annually, but also we have created an affordable membership program for the young and the gifted. As in the case of our juried exhibit open to artist of all ages & persuasions, Viridian has instituted a digital presentation of 30 artists selected by the gallery director, Vernita Nemec, giving an opportunity to 30 additional artists and giving gallery visitors a chance to see the work of more artists of merit.

Just how difficult is it now is for young artists to achieve their dreams of fame, respect and possibly fortune? What are their concerns? What materials do they work with? Why are some still making art in traditional materials & in traditional ways? How have social media, astronomical rents, and less space changed the way in which artists just beginning their careers express themselves creatively?

Hear the answers to these questions (& more) on the last day of the exhibition, as a select group of these artists talk about the trials & tribulations of being a young artist today. And see the wonderful art they have created, inspired by the madness of today’s world.