Exhibit turns spotlight on volunteers

"House Abandons Couch," Tim Walker

Since ArtsMemphis is a not-for-profit entity, it depends heavily on the support and work of volunteers, many of whom, it turns out, are artists.

The group, which raises money and distributes funds to local arts organizations, gives back to those artist volunteers in "Time, Talent and Tempera: ArtsMemphis Volunteer Art Show," an exhibition on display at the ArtsMemphis headquarters at 575 S. Mendenhall, through March 31. The work by the 30 artists, most represented by two pieces, is for sale; all proceeds return to the artists.

"The idea for this show was really developed by our staff," said ArtsMemphis president Susan Schadt. "We're trying to focus more on individual artists and get closer to the artistic culture. We're really feeling the synergy of connecting with the artists. It's important to be on the ground with them."

"Skyspindle over Rockies," Roy Tamboli

"The Chicken Dance," Alex Paulus

What do these artists do as volunteers? They serve on boards, committees and panels for ArtsMemphis and as featured artists at workshops; they offer consulting or in-kind services or host arts events and fund-raising activities; they work with education and outreach programs.

"The advantage of having artists as volunteers is that they bring a different, more creative perspective," said Schadt. "ArtsMemphis of course is a business, but having artists involved brings in an emotional element and makes us think on more and different levels."

As with any large group show, "Time, Talent and Tempera" reveals a wide range of styles, techniques, intentions and, inevitably, quality, but it cannot be faulted for lack of diversity. Included in the exhibition are paintings and drawings, mixed media work, photography, ceramics and jewelry. The exhibition was organized by Lauren Boyer, new media marketing manager for ArtsMemphis and a person Schadt described as "really on the ground in the art scene."

"Well, I do try to be familiar with what's going on," said Boyer. "I go to a lot of things and try to let the artists know that I'm interested in what they're doing."

After the ArtsMemphis staff nominated people to be in the show, about 90 percent of the artist-volunteers responded positively to the call to submit works. The pieces are displayed through the organization's lobby, offices, hallways and meeting spaces, and Boyer decided that, with a few exceptions, no artist's works would be seen together, a device that adds to the variety of the viewing experience.

The roster of artists includes established or well-known figures such as Pinkney Herbert, Dolph Smith, Roy Tamboli, Brantley Ellzey and Suzy Hendricks and a raft of not-quite-so- familiar artists and then emerging artists like Elisha Gold, Michelle Duckworth and Matthew Thomas, who was on Schadt's mind when she said, with a laugh, "We didn't censor anything."

Thomas might be the discovery in this show, for two mixed media-digital prints -- "So Much Bigger" and "Is You Gay?" -- that bring a great deal of verve, humor and gee-whiz slyness and exuberance to what are boldly scatological themes, proving, at least, that ArtsMemphis is able to absorb titillation along with travel sketches (Joel Halpern's "Aix Sketchbook"); elegant abstraction (Herbert's "Mark Series) with folksy earthiness (Allison Furr-Lawyer's "X-tra"); at least three versions of urban photography (Lisa Buser, Andrew Breig, Tim Walker) with whimsical photo-surrealism (Tamboli's "Skyspindle over Rockies").

Many younger and emerging artists -- or even older, well-known artists -- don't have gallery representation; giving such artists some exposure was one factor Schadt mentioned as a motivation for mounting "Time, Talent and Tempera." Another motivation was even more basic: "We wanted to get people into our environment," she said, "so we can see them face to face."

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"Time, Talent and Tempera: ArtsMemphis Volunteer Art Show"

At ArtsMemphis, 575 S. Mendenhall, through March 31. Call (901) 578-2787.

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