ASHEVILLE BASED PLUM PRINT CURATES WONDER –– THE FIRST EVER CHILDREN’S ART EXHIBIT AT THE ACCLAIMED ART BASEL MIAMI THIS WEEK
PARTNERS WITH ASHEVILLE-BASED BLUE SPIRAL 1 ON EXHIBITION’S DESIGN AND INSTALLATION
December 7, 2018 (Miami Beach, FL) – The who’s who of the art world descends on Miami this week for the annual Art Basel Miami. Close to 100,000 international art collectors and gallery owners convene to experience and acquire the latest and greatest art from over 270 galleries selected to exhibit from all around the world. But up until this year’s Art Basel, something was missing: an exhibit dedicated solely to the celebration of exceptional artwork from younger artists. This year, that has all changed. The first ever WONDER Kids’ Basel Exhibit and Interactive Installation, curated by Plum Print, launched.
The founders of WONDER had the initial idea to bring children’s artwork into the mix, and turned to Plum Print, based in Asheville, to make this show a reality. Plum Print makes custom coffee table books of children’s artwork. “We are so honored to have been asked to curate this first ever exhibit of children’s artwork at Art Basel,” says Meg Ragland, co-founder of Plum Print. “Celebrating the unbridled creativity of young people is what Plum Print does every day, so we jumped at the opportunity to help showcase and elevate the creative genius of younger artists, especially at an event as esteemed and recognized as Art Basel. ”
When the creators of WONDER made their first trip to Asheville to meet with Plum Print, Ragland recognized the need for greater exhibit expertise, and turned to local arts professional and gallery director at Blue Spiral 1, Michael Manes. “The opportunity excited me, having a background in curation and art education, the partnership was a perfect marriage of two Asheville-based businesses who believe in collaboration and fostering the future of the arts by rich educational opportunities for young artists and entrepreneurs” said Manes.
All of the pieces of the puzzle came together and created an exhibit that will excite and delight everyone from the most sophisticated collector to a 5-year-old with her first set of pastels. Over 100 works of all sizes and mediums are on display. Ceramics, painting, drawing, photography, installation, sculpture, and mixed media are included. With inclusivity in mind, the exhibition accepted submissions until one week before opening night. Digital art and works that couldn’t be shipped are shown through projection. Plum Print also produced a custom coffee-table book of works the show. Between the gallery space, digital projection, and the book, every child’s submission has a place.
The interactive element has creative fun for children of all ages, including silent disco, selfie frames with hanging Polaroid cameras, and walls for endless creation. There is a Wonder Wall of Fame, which displays portraits of celebrities drawn by their kids. You’ll find the artwork of the children of Bruce Willis and Emma Heming Willis, Chris and Adrienne Bosh, Giada De Laurentiis, and Ray Allen.
If in Miami this week, be sure to swing by the WONDER exhibit. December 6 - 9 www.kidsbasel.com. For Media Inquiries, please contact Meg Ragland at meg@plumprint.com or 617-899-0941. More photos available upon request. Plum Print takes the overwhelming piles of artwork that children create, photographs that artwork, transforming it into digital galleries and prints custom coffee table books. To learn more, visit plumprint.com, call the Plum Print studio at 828-633-5535 or follow @plumprint on Facebook and Instagram.
Blue Spiral 1 is located at 38 Biltmore Avenue in downtown Asheville, next door to the Fine Arts Theatre. To learn more, visit bluespiral1.com, call the gallery at 828.251.0202 or follow @bluespiral1 on Facebook and Instagram.