Featured Artists: Edra Soto + Dan Sullivan
as told to Asha Iman Veal for Arts Alliance Illinois (June 2020)
(The Franklin gallery and project space, images courtesy of Edra Soto)
Artists have the freedom to initiate and organize.
Every show at The Franklin is a collaboration between Edra and I and the artists. There’s never been a moment when we haven’t enjoyed ourselves. Living with art, I feel privileged for sure.
–DS
You know what actually, was our very first collaboration? The ‘I Love Chicago Project.’ From when I was in my MFA studio at SAIC. It was an installation to bring together all types of disciplines—sound, performance, musicians. A lion, and a lion tamer. Even then, I was drawn toward leading a project space. I had a fascination with crossing the boundaries.
–ES
Edra Soto & Dan Sullivan
The Franklin, Gallery and Project Space – East Garfield Park, Chicago
scrapbook from special collaboration with @COVIDtv (Spring 2020)
For The Franklin collaboration, artist Chad Choury reached out to us thinking to feature the artists that we have in our collection. This was happening at a particular moment during the COVID-19 crisis—not like now, where there’s a lot of programming. It was a special moment, to make people happy…with the motivation to bring joy during this confusing time and to connect with people who have been constantly kind to us.
(left to right, multi-disciplinary Illinois artists Sadie Woods, Maria Gaspar, Gina Hunt, Alberto Aguilar, Edra Soto, Jessica Harvey / collage courtesy of COVIDtv)
(IG LIVE Broadcasting Schedule, April 26 2020 / curated by The Franklin outdoor)
Sadie Woods, aka Afrodjia DJ, offered music of the Latiblack diaspora
Maria Gaspar shared her archives from site-interventions at Cook County Jail
Gina Hunt led a listening party and light show
Alberto Aguilar led a home tour
The Franklin co-director Edra Soto shared a collective, morning ritual
Jessica Harvey brought viewers into her practice at home
(instagram live screenshots of artists Maria Gaspar and Alexander Soto)
We’ve been building this all through our philosophy of art and life—The Franklin and the collection. Most of the people involved in the COVIDtv takeover day are also represented in our home collection.
(left to right, Luis Sahagun, Dianna Frid, Diana Gabriel, Matthew Nichols, Claire Pentecost, Corinne Halbert / collage courtesy of COVIDtv)
Luis Sahagun, shared ancient alchemy and secrets of emulsion, for painting oil portraits
Dianna Frid hung out with a few very cool artists’ books
Diana Gabriel took a beach walk with impromptu trash, stone, and glass arrangements
Matthew Nichols took a trip through visual ASMR
Claire Pentecost shared a collective, morning ritual
Corinne Halbert hit the ‘Gram with a Tarot readings
(instagram live screenshots of artist Claire Pentecost)
In this moment, it’s a very different way of manifesting art. It’s a communal effort, an experiment, and a celebration.
(Melissa Leandro, Asha Iman Veal, Dan Sullivan, Sarah Beth Woods / collage courtesy of COVIDtv)
Melissa Leandro led a studio-building walking tour, and a mini hand stitching workshop
Asha Iman Veal held a cook-a-long brunch
Dan Sullivan played a Tiny Studio Concert
Sarah Beth Woods casted a record
(Instagram Live screenshots of artist Melissa Leandro’s studio-building walking tour plus a mini hand stitching workshop)
This is important—creating visibility and community space. We have a generosity and reciprocity with other artists.
(Lise Ross, Jaclyn Jacunski, Rodrigo Lara, Kirsten Leenaars, Ryan Brichey, Catie Olsen + Eric Brown / collage courtesy of COVIDtv)
Lise Ross presented Lipstick Brutalism
Jaclyn Jacunski led yoga sun salutations
Rodrigo Lara walked through his Envisage Residency closing exhibition
Kirsten Leenaars read from Bertold Brecht's text Writing the Truth: 5 Difficulties
Ryan Brichey shared Songs I Play for My Loved Ones
Catie Olsen + Eric Brown met artist Justin Howard for Boo’s and Birds
(Instagram Live screenshots with artists Rodrigo Lara and CV Peterson)
I actually felt the same energy with this program, that I feel when I organize exhibitions.
–Edra
For the first two years of The Franklin, Edra organized ten shows each year. That’s the same as any commercial gallery.
–Dan
(Potato the pug at the home of artist Hương Ngô / screenshots courtesy of The Franklin)
(Artist Ann Toebbe with her daughters Olivie and Betty / screenshots courtesy of The Franklin)
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