For our creative response, we decided to make a tote bag with a custom print. We decided to work together for this final piece as we gained a lot from “group work” during the times in which explored the art scene through the VABF. We felt that the most significant component of group work is communication, which helped us to develop ideas about this work,complementarily and thoughtfully. Because of the combined effort for this creative response, we had a division of labor. One of us (Anne) took charge of the printing process and the other (Noelle), constructed the tote. The bag was made secondary to the print; we both really loved the design and wanted to present it in a way that was different from the traditional ink on paper printed image.

One of the highlights of the VABF is the membership totes that are designed by different artists every year. This definitely inspired us to create our own tote bag; however, we were more motivated by the idea of creating something utilitarian. The biggest take away from the VABF was this notion of art as accessible and easily digestible. Working for the VABF we realized, witnessed and experienced ourselves, the transition between exclusivity and inclusivity within art. Since the very beginning the art scene has been connected to opulence and therefore has been run by the elite. Progressively, artists have and continue to critique this hierarchy, but, as we have learned in class, there are many ways in which the art scene still upholds exclusivity. Although the VABF might not provide all the answers on how to solve this problem completely, it is a great example of an organization that is working towards a more inclusive art scene; by providing a platform for artist of all levels and backgrounds to present their work and offering a chance for people (those who aren’t necessarily part of the upper crust) to be able to buy art. It was truly eye opening to be able to work for the VABF and be surrounded by such a diverse group of artists sharing knowledge about both bigger socio-political topics and personal interest and for both to be doing so through art, in the form of books and printed ephemera. Our creative response was heavily inspired by the happenings during the VABF but the first epiphany for the idea came about during a class discussion where it was mentioned: “bags are like the souvenir of the fashion show” and an art piece sometimes acts like as a souvenir of the artist. In both a comical and serious way we encapsulated this notion in our creative response. Prior to working for the VABF and learning more about what it means to be an artist in society, we would have never taken this statement seriously and would havenever considered a tote bag to be within the realm of art, but now that we’ve learned how powerful art can be in spreading knowledge, both personal interest and knowledge that can potentially make a huge difference in society. We want to continue to support art that is accessible with the hope that it will connect more people together and create greater dialogue.