Art Cozumel
How Cozumel artists have been affected by the pandemic
In March of 2020, the world as we know it changed. As with many occupations, the results were economically devastating for artists. I am asking the artists of Cozumel to write a little something about how they have dealt with the crisis and to share some photos of their new work. Their stories will be shared with everyone, one at a time, over the next couple months. If you have been contemplating purchasing someone’s art, now would be a great time to do so.
Hope you enjoy the stories,
Greg Dietrich
Artist: Greg Dietrich
There are two sides to the life as an artist…making art, and selling art. The quarantine that the Covid-19 pandemic caused has made the selling part very, very difficult. I have a gallery here on the island which is also my studio where I engrave glass and/or paint on silk. Since mid-March, I have had exactly one person come to the gallery to see my work. So, the “selling part” has been non-existent. I have tried using the internet to drum up some sales, with a little response, but not much. It is simply a difficult time for everyone.
However, the other side of the coin is the “making art” side. That has been a blessing in disguise. Being able to keep working has helped me to stay sane during the lockdown. To this day, we still don’t leave the house much, and I stay busy with my artwork. I have been able to stay quite focused on my work, which has led to making some really nice pieces, experimenting with some new ideas and textures. Often, selling work goes a long way in maintaining the inspiration to keep working and creating new pieces. With no visitors to the gallery, that has been the hard part, but fortunately, I mostly manage to stay inspired.
Aside from my artwork, my wife and I have also stayed busy helping some of the community kitchens here on the island. Once or twice a week, they send us a list of what they need most, and we go buy it and deliver it to them. There are many of these kitchens operating now, as there are many families with no income. This also has helped us to maintain some sort of sanity over the last 4 m
onths, and it just feels good to help.
We are blessed with family and friends who have generously donated money that allows us to do this.
I invite anyone who is interested to come by Galeria Azul and see the new work. The hours are 11am-6pm Monday thru Friday. I do ask that you please wear a face mask when visiting. Stay safe everyone.
Greg Dietrich
Website: www.cozumelglassart.com
Facebook: Galeria Azul Cozumel Art
Instagram: greg.galeria.azul
Cómo se han visto afectados los artistas de Cozumel por la pandemia
El mundo tal y como lo conocemos cambio en Marzo 2020. Al igual que sucedió con muchas otras ocupaciones, los resultados fueron económicamente devastadores para los artistas. Pedí a los artistas que escribieran algo sobre cómo han enfrentado la crisis, y que compartieran algunas de las fotografías de sus nuevas obras. Durante los próximos meses, compartirán sus historias con ustedes, una a la vez. Espero las disfruten.
Greg Dietrich
Artista: Greg Dietrich
La vida de un artista tiene dos aspectos: crear arte, y vender el arte. La cuarentena que provocó la pandemia del Covid-19 ha hecho que el aspecto de las ventas sea muy, muy difícil. Tengo una galería aquí en la Isla que también es mi estudio donde grabo vidrio y/o pinto sobre seda. Desde mediados de marzo, una persona ha venido a la galería a ver mis obras. Así que, el “aspecto de las ventas” ha sido inexistente. Haciendo uso del internet he tratado de captar algunas ventas; la respuesta ha sido poca, pero no mucha. Este es simplemente un momento difícil para todos.
Sin embargo, la otra cara de la moneda es “crear arte”. No hay mal que por bien no venga. El hecho de continuar trabajando me ha ayudado a mantenerme cuerdo durante el encierro. Hasta el día de hoy, no salimos mucho de casa y me mantengo ocupado con mis obras de arte. He podido mantenerme concentrado en mi trabajo lo que ha resultado en algunas piezas muy bonitas; he experimentado con algunas ideas y texturas nuevas. A menudo, la venta de obras contribuye, en gran medida, a mantener la inspiración para seguir trabajando y crear piezas nuevas. La parte difícil ha sido no tener visitas en la galería; pero afortunadamente, en gran parte me las arreglo para mantenerme inspirado.
Aparte de mi trabajo artístico, mi esposa y yo nos hemos mantenido ocupados ayudando en algunas de las cocinas comunitarias en la Isla. Una o dos veces por semana nos envían una lista de lo que más necesitan, lo compramos y se los llevamos. Hay muchas de estas cocinas funcionando, ya que hay muchas familias que no tienen ingresos. Durante los últimos 4 meses ello también nos ha ayudado a mantener algo de cordura; y se siente bien ayudar.
Estamos bendecidos por tener familia y amigos quienes generosamente han donado dinero que nos permita hacer esto.
Invito a todos a quienes interese, visitar Galería Azul y ver las obras nuevas. El horario es de 11am a 6 pm, lunes a viernes. Les pido que por favor usen tapabocas cuando vengan a visitar. Cuídense.
Greg Dietrich
Página web: www.cozumelglassart.com
Facebook: Galería Azul Cozumel Art
Instagram: greg.galeria.azul
In the spring of 1998, Greg had a successful glassblowing related business in Seattle Washington, the city that is known as the glass art center in the United States. In March, on the first night of his much needed vacation in Cozumel, he met Liliana Macotela. This encounter changed everything.
By the end of that year, he had sold his business, packed up his engraving machine, and moved here to the island. He opened his working studio/gallery, called Galeria Azul, in the downstairs of his home. He is still there to this day engraving and painting, and in general, enjoying his life here with his wife, Liliana.
- Art Cozumel Museum - April 15, 2021
- Cozumel Art - April 1, 2021
- Art Cozumel - February 4, 2021
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