Reading Response: Caroline Picard
by Nickolai Lanier

This article provided me with some interesting insight into the world of DIY art spaces, and I think that the author conveyed very clearly what it is like to host a public gallery in a private space. I found the article to be at the same time encouraging, motivating, and terrifying. It was encouraging because I now understand that an art space can be self-made and can exist practically anywhere, and I feel motivated to push for my work to be shown in more locations. The terrifying element exists as my gut reaction to the difficulties associated with running a private/public art space and with this prospect of having all things working against me as a working artist. Her comments about the laws in Chicago barring artists from running these types of spaces made me aware of what bureaucratic barriers might exist in the art world, and her comments on the difficulties of managing a family and being a professional artist were equally depressing.