Today we’d like to introduce you to Mckay Lenker Bayer.
Hi McKay, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
The idea started when I was taking art classes in college. One of our assignments was to show our work in public, which made me incredibly nervous. I had been making these tiny abstract paintings, and a friend suggested I give them their own miniature exhibit, so I did. I hung everything really low to the ground with tiny label cards, a lamp and a couple of magnifying glasses nearby. It was fantastic to see how enthusiastic people would get when they noticed the tiny paintings. A few years later, I decided to turn it into a project. I thought it would be fun to have each show curated by a different local artist at a unique location. Thanks to the support I received from the local community and on Instagram, it was a success. I took a hiatus from hosting the tiny art openings when COVID started, but have continued creating miniature installations in Utah and when I travel.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
tiny art show really started as a passion project and I spent SO much time and energy on it and I loved it. I learned so much and I got to work with so many amazing artists and institutions. As the following grew and the events got bigger I did experience growing pains and had to try to become not only an artist and a content creator but also an event planner, experience designer, book keeper, small business manager, and more. The business aspect and numbers was what really got to me and I experienced a lot of burn out right around COVID. After COVID my husband and I had our first child and I’m just now starting to come out of those life experiences and focus more on my art.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I call myself a mixed media artist and a community artist. I love both practices equally. I graduated from BYU with a BA in art education. During college I volunteered teaching art classes at The Food and Care Coalition, a wonderful resources for the homeless and struggling people in Utah County. I curated an art show of their work after teaching classes there for about 8 months. I felt really proud of myself and my students. We both were pushed out of our comfort zones. The joy I felt seeing my students at their opening reception was a feeling I wanted to pursue. After graduating I started working full time as a high school art teacher here in Provo. I also started working for the non profit Downtown Provo helping with their monthly Art Stroll gallery walk and other art programs. I worked with the Neighborhood Art Center to create the “Faces of Provo” mural which was one of my favorite projects I’ve done. We painted head shapes on a wall and then during the Art Stroll people could come and paint their face on them. I was falling more and more in love with my community and with projects that connected us all.
I had the idea to start tiny art show for years and finally I got the push to do it. That project consumed my free time and I was obsessed. For those who don’t know, tiny art show is a project where I install miniature art shows in unexpected spaces. Our goal is to make viewing and owning original art more accessible (and more fun).
After COVID and having a baby, I am making and growing as an artist again. I create mixed media artwork about motherhood and have some big plans for tiny art show in the near future.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
tiny art show lessens some of the burdens of risk in my opinion. Because everything is small, costs are lower. Because it’s still more of a passion project, my livelihood doesn’t depend on the money I make from it. I do think creating and sharing art is always a risk, its always vulnerable.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: tinyartshow
