The Budget Gallery is a temporary art show in co-opted public spaces like vacant walls and fences. The shows are carefully co-ordinated, prepared, and publicized. The pieces are displayed much like a traditional gallery. We paint walls white (where we can), install art works and labels. We announce openings that are attended by hundreds of people. Refreshments are served and one can often hear jazz playing in the background. Of course, this is no traditional gallery - it is still all taking place on the sidewalk. In the end it's a blend of all the greatest things about attending an art show, a garage sale, and a block party rolled into one.
Because of the rules the Budget Gallery operates under, the shows curate themselves, artwork is inexpensive to buy, and the show itself is inexpensive to put on. The resulting art show is presented in public space with affordable works in a casual setting. All the work and the openings are documented online. The show both brings the local arts community together, and mixes them among random passers by who may never walk into a gallery on their own.
