It starts with art Young, artsy and restless
A new group offers networking for the under-40 set.
By TAMARA EL-KHOURY
Published June 24, 2007
DUNEDIN - By 6 p.m., Kaya Parwanicka and Kelli Rule Clark were experiencing the hand-wringing let-me-check-on-the-punch-again anxiety that comes with hosting a party.
The invite said 6 p.m. But only two people were on time.
Would others come?
Would they have fun?
A masseuse, with chair empty, waited idly inside Gregory's Salon. Plates of munchies donated by Marguerite's Cafe and Catering were untouched. A case of white wine donated by Bellini Restaurant and Lounge needed to be poured.
Framed work of local artists hung on the walls, ready for purchase.
For two 28-year-olds employed at the Dunedin Fine Art Center, more was riding on this party than a good time had by all. Success would mean an auxiliary group the duo helped launch in February was taking off.
At 6:30 p.m., two hair-gelled guys accompanied by two very-high-heeled women entered the party. They were newbies who recently had met Kaya and Kelli on a mutual friend's boat. The young and restless don't show up to parties on time.
De Young and Restless is an art-centric, young professional networking group whose name puts a twist on Mamma's favorite soap opera.
"We thought it would be fun to meet other people our age, " said Ryann Konczyk, 28, a bartender and Clearwater resident. She's one of the people who heard about the group on a friend's boat.
"And we like art, " said Bryan Lauer, 24, a commercial real estate broker living in Odessa. "We're artsy."
There's plenty of edge and energy but little drama. Then again, it's early for drama. The group was just started in February with the intent of bringing a younger, more diverse crowd to the art center.
The group is for young (under 40) professionals who share an appreciation for art. It was created by Parwanicka and Clark who say art doesn't have to be pretentious. They want to educate people about art in a fun way.
Once, the group organized a tour of a private home whose owner has a funky, eclectic, art collection. The owner described how to collect art on a budget, Clark said.
So far there are eight official members of de Young and Restless who get free entry to all group events, and also to exhibits at Dunedin's Fine Art Center. Membership comes with an annual $10 fee. However, one must also be a member of the art center. Annual fees start at $40 for an individual.
The group has been built through word of mouth and its MySpace.com page. Members meet for informal, social gatherings like a drink at a pub or a happy hour on a group member's boat. Every two months, there is a formal event like the recent Art Bang! Bang! at Gregory's Salon on Main Street. The salon is featuring a rotating gallery of works by local artists. Nonmembers sporting a do with bangs got $5 off the $15 event fee.
About 30 people, teachers, entrepreneurs, business owners, RSVP'd for the after-work event.
There were ties and high heels, sundresses and jeans, manicures and T-shirts.
No art was sold, but Clark said repeated exposure is the best way to encourage people who may not be used to buying art.
David Meadows, 38, a Dunedin entrepreneur, is one of the eight group members. He said he joined to meet sharp, professional, like-minded people. And he has a few pieces of art himself.
"It's tough to find good people without meeting them through friends or an organization, " he said.
Daniel Mrgan, 28, a graphic designer, said he likes meeting new people and hopes to get business through networking.
"What I like about it is there are people that come from different fields, " he said.
There are so many clubs in Dunedin, but few are geared to young professionals, said Andrea Bartelloni, 32, who works with the exceptional education program at Dunedin Middle School.
And probably fewer groups that equate art collecting with being hot and sexy.