Questions about the FAQ
Q: How can you have a FAQ section if you began to display the Free Little Art Gallery of Monte Vista (FLAG of MV) very recently?
A: It’s true nobody has actually asked us these questions as yet — including this one — so claiming they are frequently asked isn’t entirely accurate. Moreover, if the FAQ is successful nobody will need to ask them in future. That’s just what pages like this one are called. Our FAQ section borrows heavily from the FAQ section on Stacy Milrany’s website. Stacy Milrany is the originator of the Free Little Art Gallery (FLAG) concept, as far as we know.
Q: Where can I submit a question for the FLAG of MV staff?
A: Questions may be submitted here.
Q: Would you like assistance with upgrading the FLAG of MV?
A: Yes indeed. Woodworking hobbyists interested in helping to upgrade the FLAG of MV are welcome to contact us.
Leaving Art
Q: Where do I leave art I’d like to contribute?
A: Leave pieces inside the gallery. It’s open in good weather. The FLAG is removable so artwork will not be exposed to extreme weather. Note that there’s a limit to how much art will fit nicely in the gallery at one time. If there appears to be too much art already in the gallery, leave your piece in the gallery and it will be displayed later. For further details, contact us.
Q: Where do you store overflow pieces added to the gallery?
A: “Overflow” art will be stored indoors for later display. If you visit the gallery and wish to leave your work for later display, place it in the box on the front porch.
Q: Should I leave any information with my work?
A: Feel free to leave a note about the work, such as its title, an artist’s statement, contact information for the artist, and/or a business card with your work. Information which interferes with the viewing of the art will be rearranged to accommodate better viewing of the art.
Q: Can I mail you a piece to put into the little gallery?
A: Yes. Please make arrangements through the contact section. If you are mailing artwork for the gallery, you may send any other information you would like displayed with the work.
Taking Art
Q: Do I have to leave a piece of art in order to take a piece of art?
A: Feel free to take a piece, or leave a piece—or both. Experimentation and imperfections are gladly accepted. If the art you would like to take is framed, you may take the frame with the art you have selected. Please leave the little easels.
Q: If there’s a piece I want, can you mail it to me if I can’t come to the gallery?
A: Sorry, no.
Questions about the structure of the FLAG of MV
Q: Where is it the Free Little Art Gallery of Monte Vista?
A: You’ll find the FLAG of MV on Kenmore Avenue, between Claycut and McGrath, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Q: What are the general dimensions of the gallery?
A: Exterior measurements: 14 3/4″ x 14 3/4″ x 12″ deep
Q: What is the ideal size for artwork in the Free Little Art Gallery?
A: You have to use your judgment on that. Pieces exceeding 14 3/4″ x 14 3/4″ x 12″ deep will simply not fit into the gallery. We are not opposed to exhibiting a single piece that takes up the entire gallery, but ideally the pieces would be smaller, allowing room for other pieces. Please feel free to contribute mobiles, but please do not attempt to attach them to the gallery ceiling. FLAG staff will attach mobiles.
Q: Where did you get the structure?
A: The “structure” is from Goodwill on Burbank and has been repurposed. Eventually we would like to have a carpenter make a more elaborate, perhaps more permanent structure.
Q: Is the FLAG waterproof?
A: The current version of the FLAG is NOT waterproof and will NOT be left on display in inclement weather. We are interested in other solutions. Woodworking hobbyists interested in helping to upgrade the FLAG are welcome to contact us. Note that Stacy Milrany had a carpenter friend who built hers, and her FLAG is sealed with, “‘[g]ood ole fashioned clear packing tape. Pretty, pretty fancy.”
Woodworking hobbyists interested in helping to upgrade the FLAG are welcome to contact us.
Bonus feature: The base for the FLAG of MV will remain on display in bad weather, and will be periodically repainted. Stay tuned for more on that.
Q: Can I install hooks on the ceiling so I can hang a mobile?
A: No way! We love the idea of hanging sculptures and mobiles and feel free to a leave a hook or two. But please leave it to us to make holes and/ or otherwise alter the physical structure.
Questions about the FLAG of MV
Q: Can I use this idea and start my own?
A: YES. YES. YES. Do it! And please feel free to list your FLAG or FLAGs you encounter on your travels on our FLAG Map. Please keep in touch. If you are interested in being part of a larger network please email Stacy Milrany here.
Q: Do I need to have a website to start my own FLAG?
A: Nope.
Q: How often do you post pictures of what’s inside the gallery?
A: The current plan is to post photos of the artwork here as the artwork changes. If your art is acquired by a viewer of the FLAG very soon after the art is placed in the gallery, there may not have been time to photograph the piece. If you would like to send a photo of your art to make sure that it is posted – even if your art is very quickly acquired by someone else, please contact us to make arrangements for that.
Q: Is there a visitor’s book?
A: Not at the moment but I’d love one. Stay tuned.
Q: Can I buy a piece of art from your Free Little Art Gallery?
A: The price is $0 and you must pick it up in person; first come, first served.
Artists DO need your support. If you love a piece and the artist’s name is mentioned, please reach out to them directly—maybe they have a similar piece on hand they’d offer for sale. If the artist has chosen to remain anonymous, use our contact form. If I know their identity and deem your request appropriate, I’ll pass it on.
Q: Do you track and record all the pieces that come and go from the gallery?
A: We cannot promise to keep track of all of the artwork. An effort will be made to post photographs of the artwork on the FLAG of MV website. Some pieces may be taken from the gallery before it is possible to take a photograph.
If you’d like to contribute a piece and make certain a photo of it gets into our online gallery, contact us.
Q: Is there a way I can help or contribute to the FLAG of MV?
A: Aside from adding your art to it? If you would like to volunteer to help out, please contact us.
Again, woodworking hobbyists interested in helping to upgrade the FLAG are welcome to contact us.
Q: Where can I ask my own question?
A: Submit questions here.
Q: What’s this “we”? Do you have a whole team of people working on this? Is it a royal “we”?
A: OK, there really isn’t a “we.” The FLAG of MV is curated by just one person who wishes to remain anonymous for now. The curator of the FLAG of MV created this website with a large amount of assistance from Tyler Tork. Thanks also to Bernard Myers, without whose help and support the FLAG of MV would not have started to materialize.