Barham and Indi Go

Barham Benefit Group began as the sole beneficiary for Indi Go Artist Co Op. Seeking more ways to assist the community and to improve upon opportunities for marginalized artists, James Barham opened the gallery originally in time for the 2009 40 North Boneyard Arts Festival so that he could feature Ryan Slattery's artwork. Ryan Slattery was at that time living in one of Barham's rental homes and making stainless steel sculptures out of his garage. Seeing the unique abilities this young, unfound artist had Barham worked to pull off redecorating the gallery space from the previous Furniture Lounge and getting the event organized in a month.

The mission of the gallery is "visual space has essentially no owner" and those community organizations, student groups, local artists, and others that have benefitted from their involvement can attest to this.

A variety of events have already taken place at the gallery including benefit events, civil rights activism art shows, classical guitar performances, wedding receptions, CD release shows, a Halloween "funhouse", individual parties, improv comedy skits, tango dancing nights, fundraisers for many area nonprofits, Calendar release parties, wedding showers, and much more. The cost being nothing to very little for all of these groups.

In the near future, CU Design Organization, CUDO, is hosting Speaking Unconventionally: Letterpress Posters of Amos Paul Kennedy Jr. Amazing artwork with emotionally charged statements about race and individuality. Barham's work with Indi Go Artist Co-Op is anything but fearful of perceptions, pushing the boundaries and making a statement is common here and desired.

"The main reason I opened indi go is to provide space to encourage students to show their art," Barham has said. Another upcoming show exemplifies this. "Eric's Show" will be held from March 9th to the 21st. See this News Gazette article for more details about the extraordinary cause of this show. http://www.news-gazette.com/news/art/2010-02-28/copule-endows-art-competition-memorial-slain-teen-son.html

Soon to have nonprofit status, there are so many ways the community can take part in supporting the gallery as well as benefit from it's existence. How will you?