Slideluck Potshow Comes to Town

Photographer Casey Kelbaugh was trying to launch a Seattle career back in 2000, but just couldn’t seem to get traction. “There were so few outlets to share my work and get feedback,” he recalls. “I felt like I needed to find a space where creative people could share ideas.” His solution? To throw a potluck dinner in his backyard, and invite all his artist pals. (“It had to be a potluck. I couldn’t afford to feed 50 people!”) Out of that night has grown an international movement: The Slideluck Potshow. The food-and-fun event has taken hold in cities from Boston to Barcelona, with the mission of creating an ongoing community for artists and consumers. Tonight, the party comes to SmArt Space at the 78th Street Studios. “Cleveland has been about five years in the making,” says Kelbaugh, who has since relocated to the Big Apple. “There was never any doubt that we wanted to be here; it was just a question of finding the right people to pull it off.” That includes local director Hillary Lyon, who has put together tonight’s fete. Lyon says the fun begins at 6:30 p.m. with a potluck dinner and beer from Brooklyn Brewery. At 8:30, it’s show time: scores of slides highlighting works by regional artists, each of whom paid ten bucks to participate. Non-artists are welcome, too. Bring a dish to share and pay $5; otherwise, admission at the door is $11. “The entire event is predicated on participation,” Kelbaugh cautions. “If people don’t want to share their food, there is no meal. If they don’t want to share their art, there’s no show. It really asks people to get involved. After all, that’s what ‘community’ is all about.” Find details on Facebook.