WORDS / KODY FORD
PHOTO / ROBERT STAFFORD

The Fayetteville Underground has been a linchpin in the Northwest Arkansas arts’ scene for years.  Recently, the gallery has undergone some changes including naming their new executive director – J Aleczander. He brings 15 years of arts administration experience at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco along with a lifetime of passion for the arts.  

“This is one of those jobs only God can think of to give to the right person at the right time, as a special gift of burden, and I’m that guy. A masochist, I guess,” he jokes. “Seriously though, I love the Underground and all that it stands for. Their mission to promote the visual arts in Northwest Arkansas by actively collaborating with the community, supporting area artists working to the highest standards and encouraging education and public engagement in the arts, was already a mission close to my heart that I believed in. Besides, the Underground is only one of a few other artist venues here that offers the public a chance to experience the magnitude, and direct impact of the artistic and cultural wealth of Fayetteville.”

One of the greatest challenges facing Aleczander and the gallery is fundraising. Art is a volatile commodity depending upon the economic climate at any given time. For a nonprofit organization like the Fayetteville Underground, supporting programs and staff is a great challenge, but one that Aleczander and the board are up for althought it will require all-hands-on-deck. They are kicking off their $50,000 capital campaign with the One-of-a-Kind Fundraiser on Dec. 2. This event features food, drink and an art auction.

For years the Underground’s lifeblood been their dedicated and art-culture conscientious supporters called the 101 Club, who mostly live and work in Fayetteville and contribute $101 or more per year. They also have some local sponsors whose generous donations help prevent larger income gaps, but they still need a larger donor base for long-term stability. Artwork sales currently make up only a portion of revenues, not enough to keep the doors open, and the easy grant money for an upstart-nonprofit is gone.

Aleczander stresses the need to build up their grassroots donors moving ahead.

“We have a long way to go before we can move forward on just basic future programing,” he says. “To launch our community arts programs or increase the caliber and scope of our visiting artists shows, this takes money. And I’m asking for everyone’s support, and if it’s a dollar or $500 or $5,000, we’re not going to refuse any amount.”

However, the new executive director is confident that the community will come together to support the Fayetteville Underground.

“People come to the Underground for nourishment, to commune with other art lovers, they come to meet our artist and get to know us, and buy artwork,” Aleczander says. “People come to enjoy themselves, they come for inspiration. Some even come in because it’s cold outside, and just happens to see something beautiful. I’d like to educate the public in buying art and appreciating the artists who devote their lives to achieving the highest standards in their craft. I’d like to be able to tell the story of the new Underground and how it has survived the trials and tribulations of coming of age ‘in today’s economy’ and how it continues to thrive.

“And my mama always told me, ‘do the work where you’re most needed, and you’ll always be doing the right job.’ Lucky for me, I love what I do. And hopefully, also years from now, I will be happy to see the rewards of the hard work our volunteers and all of us at the Fayetteville Underground are doing ensures that we remain one of the anchors and champions of Fayetteville’s quest to be a destination city for the arts.”

VISIT: FAYETTEVILLEUNDERGROUND.COM

 

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