What is an Art Dispersal?

Art Dispersal is an event where we hang up original works of art and invite people to become their stewards. They can take a piece home, keep it for as long as they like, as well as return it to the artist if they no longer want to keep it. Stewards are offered an opportunity to make a contribution to Free Columbia. Contributions support the artists as well as Free Columbia.

Free Columbia has run 18 Art Dispersals over the past 14 years, with over 1000 paintings (as well as other works of art) dispersed to stewards in Hudson, Philmont, Spring Valley, and Manhattan, NY; Eugene and Portland, OR; Los Angeles, CA; New Orleans, LA; Atlanta, GA, and Jarna, Sweden. In 2020 we held our first online art dispersal in collaboration with the Anthroposophical Society in North America. Online dispersals have continued since then.

Excerpt from the Love Bravely Substack about Art Dispersals:

“Art is something we need. Like air or food for our bodies, the arts provide essential nourishment for our inner lives—oxygen for the soul, heart, and spirit… Art Dispersals are a call to action, saying: ‘Let’s make sure this nourishment can get to everyone. Let’s make it accessible to all, and let’s gather around those who create it and ensure that they are supported for the deeply important work they do.’

Art Dispersals invite us to become stewards of original artwork, rather than owners. This means we’re invited to find a piece (often a painting) that speaks to us, to take it and live with it, and to in turn make a contribution in support of the artist’s work… This step of supporting rather than purchasing is part of what makes this model powerful. It’s a step towards building relationships with artists—building communities of support who recognize and affirm the value of their work, and who are committed to making sure they have what they need. 

The idea of stewarding a piece of art also brings a powerful dimension to this model. This idea is based in the understanding that each art piece has work to do, has something meaningful it’s bringing to the world, and we can actively participate in this. When we’re inspired by a piece of art, we become, in a sense, collaborators with the artwork—our interest offers the art piece a space to do its work. Becoming a steward means we’re interested in this work—in what the piece has to offer—and we’re taking a step to support it.”