Cleo Productions Headstead Gallery Competition, Stone Mountain, Georgia (October)
Euro Art Channel EXPOART 2000, Cologne, Germany (July-December)
MAC 21 International Contemporary Art Fair 2000 Art Competition Selection in Marbella, Spain, (July 19-23, 2000)
Bella Salon Sculptural Garden, Benicia, California (June 2000-2003)
Scottish Spring Internet Exhibition, Edinburgh, Scotland (March 1-April 31)
Gloria Ferrer Champagne Cellars, Sonoma, California (February 5-March 3)
"The Art of A Community", Arts Benicia Gallery, Benicia, California (January 29-February 25)
ARTICLES:
"Selling Artwork on the Internet Publication Released" (December)
"SBA and Marques Vickers Offer Internet Sales Seminars for Artists" (December)
"Two Big Sales For Local Artist Vickers" (October)
"SBA E-Center Commission Two Vickers Sculpture" (October)
"Vickers Honored at International Art Fair" (August)
"Art From The 'Derivatives' of Mankind " (February)
""A Hunk of Steel, A Touch of Wood" (January)
"Works of Art.Com?" (January)
"Gloria Ferrer Champagne Cellars Exhibit" (January)
Selling Artwork on the Internet Publication Released
A timely e-publication entitled "Selling Art On The Internet" was released by the Marquis Publishing Company (ISBN #0-9706530-0-X) this week targeted towards the visual arts community. Authored by California artist Marques Vickers, the e-book addresses relevant topics including website design, generating website traffic, cultivating media exposure, "paying for clicks" , merchant affiliate programs, self publishing artwork, virtual and portfolio galleries and art auction sites.
The 58 page publication is oriented towards the independent visual artist and small art galleries representing a diversity of mediums. "As selling on the Internet becomes a more accepted distribution outlet for artwork," 
notes author Marques Vickers, "a new sense of empowerment is evolving for visual artists in their relationships with galleries, clients and the traditional institutional elements of the art world."
Formats for the e-publication distributed on compact disc are available in Microsoft Word, Adobe Portable File Document, Appleworks and ASCII text software. The published retail price is $10.95 USD, $14 CAN and £8 UK. Copies can be ordered directly through the Marquis Publications website at www.ArtsInAmerica.com and through a growing number of Internet e-publication retail publication distribution sites.
"The whole process of Internet exposure and direct sales for visual artists' is an infant industry that has lagged behind other retail segments," observes Vickers. "Substantial opportunities exist for Internet savvy artists and galleries. However, for most segments of the artistic community, the process of establishing an initial presence in cyberspace is confounding as there exist few proven guidelines for navigation. The Internet will permanently and ultimately alter the channels in which visual art is distributed and sold, but the restructuring process will be transitional and not immediate. Unrealistic expectations and an impatience for financially profitable business models will doom many of the initial art oriented e-commerce commercial sites, but opportunity has never been more prolific for entrepreneurial artists."
Vickers, who is conducting a series of San Francisco based seminars for visual artists in conjunction with the US Small Business Administration, currently markets his own Figurative paintings and sculptures on over 30+ Internet auction, B2C, B2B and business exchange sites. He was recently selected as one of twenty international artists to exhibit at the MAC 21 International Contemporary Art Fair in Marbella, Spain, July 19-24, 2000 (www.mac21.com). The annual fair is the largest showcase of contemporary international artwork in Spain featuring some of Europe's most renowned galleries and art organizations. He was also selected as one of two Americans for the European Art Channel EXPOART 2000 exhibition based in Cologne, Germany (www.eurochannel.de). He is finalizing plans to initiate a January 2001 launch of an art industry monthly ezine to develop a further dialogue on marketing visual art in cyberspace.
Various National Publications (December)
Benicia, California artist Marques Vickers and the US Small Business Administration will be offering two sales seminar for Bay Area visual artists, galleries and art organizations entitled "Online Distribution Channels for Selling Art" on Thursday, March 1 and Tuesday, April 10 from 6:00-9:00 PM. The training site for the seminars will be at SBA San Francisco Entrepreneur Center located at 455 Market Street, 6th Floor in downtown San Francisco.
The focus of the seminar will address relevant topics including website design, generating website traffic, cultivating media exposure, "paying for clicks", merchant affiliate programs, self-publishing artwork, virtual and portfolio galleries, and auction sites. The seminar is oriented towards the independent visual artist in a variety of mediums.
Reservations for the Seminar which is $15 per person can be made online at www.acteva.com/go/sba. For further information contact the Entrepreneur Center directly at (415) 744-6502 or Marques Vickers directly at (707) 748-1213 or through his website at www.marquesv.com.Vickers, who recently authored an e-publication entitled "Selling Art On The Internet" currently markets his Figurative paintings and sculptures on over 30+ Internet auction, B2C, B2B and business exchange sites. He was recently selected as one of twenty international artists to exhibit at the MAC 21 International Contemporary Art Fair in Marbella, Spain, July 19-24, 2000 (www.mac21.com). The annual fair is the largest showcase of contemporary international artwork in Spain featuring some of Europe's most renowned galleries and art organizations. He was also selected as one of two Americans for the European Art Channel EXPOART 2000 exhibition based in Cologne, Germany (www.eurochannel.de).
During January of 2001, he will be launching a new Internet ezine targeted towards the visual arts community entitled "Selling Art On The Internet" designed to develop a further dialogue on marketing visual art in cyberspace.
"The seminars, e-publication and e-zine are all educational vehicles designed with visual artists in mind to stimulate creative strategies for exposure and ultimately sales," observed Marques Vickers. "The traditional art distribution network typically freezes out the majority of visual artists and the Internet has become an alternative medium of access to the disenfranchised. Artists are writing the history of proven sales strategies on the Internet as they navigate since up to this point, no sales tactic, no matter how well financed, has financially succeeded. For Internet savvy artists in this infant industry, the fun and opportunities are just beginning and will continue to evolve."
Various San Francisco Bay Area Publications (December)
Two sculptures by local artist, Marques Vickers, have been purchased by the Small Business Administration, and Cisco Systems of the new Entrepreneur Center in San Jose.
"They were interested in a steel piece they had seen at Marquis Gallery, and called to find out about it," Vickers said.
The Marquis Gallery is Vickers' virtual gallery on the web, displaying and marketing his work and that of Wayne Kohler.
After he learned more about the clients, the purpose and environment where the art would be placed, he convinced the buyers to make a different selection from his series of large, multi-media sculptures.
Vickers does not fill the artist stereotype. Although his father was an artist, and art teacher, "I wasn't interested in it when I was young. I was exposed to art, but it must have been at a subconscious level," he said.
Business interested him more. At age 24 Vickers was hired as Executive Director of the Burbank Chamber of Commerce and later started several businesses of his own, including Marquis Tours, and is releasing an e-book called "Selling Art On The Internet", in November.
On a trip to Scandinavia in 1996, his journey into the art world began. "As I traveled through Finland, I was impressed with the art, especially the metal and wood pieces. I thought, I could do this." Marques said.
He returned home to take a welding class taught by David Nourot (brother of Master Glassblower Michael Nourot of Benicia) at Solano Community College.
"I didn't even finish the class. As soon as I learned the basic elements of the craft, I began to work on the pieces that came to mind," he said. His sculptural work, designed to be displayed indoors, or out, is generally made of wood and steel, with a color infusion of acrylic blended with resin. But in some works, he uses plaster and other materials.
"It became an obsession in a way," Vickers said, "and I was fortunate enough to gain some recognition right away."
His work was chosen to be exhibited at the MAC21 International Contemporary Art Fair in Marbella, Spain and at the European Art Channel EXPOART 2000 and exhibition.
"Selling art is like an affirmation of what you've done," he said, "And a confirmation that it is bigger than you (oneself)."
"I'm actually doing more painting than sculpting now, but I work on a number of works at once, " Vickers said.
One of his early themes was Totems. "More Spirit Than Flesh", is the "Iconic Totem assemblage" that was chosen for the Entrepreneur Center.
The Center is built in the bottom two floors of a bank building. It is a one stop shopping for small business owners, or entrepreneurs who want to start a business," Lauren Cooney, Entrepreneur Center Outreach Coordinator said.
"Founded cooperatively by the SBA, and Cisco Systems, the San JOse center is the first technology oriented small business center in the country," Darlene McKennon, spokesperson said.
Designers make a conscious effort to humanize the environment by replicating the mercantile atmosphere of a "Main Street USA" in the foyer," Vickers said.
The Small Business Development Center, Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), Small Business Agency, and Center for International Trade Development, and Management Training Office are among the services housed in small "shops" off of the lobby.
Vickers' human torsos and totem art bring a humanistic touch to a setting where about 12 Cisco Systems flat screened monitors and computer/Internet work stations are displayed.
"Introspection and reflection are an important part of being successful in business," Vickers said, "In the computer environment of hyperspeed, the use of neutrals like black with blue accents and the teal face, has a calming effect."
"The Totem is full of symbolism," Vickers said, "Totems, were originated by Indian tribes of the Pacific Northwest, and are humanistic symbols."
It is something which rises vertically, converting spirituality...it makes the spirit world more concrete," he said, "and the blue tones connote serenity."
The practice of Feng Shui has captured Vickers' imagination. He created a series of sculptures in the nine themes of the Bagua Map. A female torso entitled, "Career" is 8th on the map he said. it was also chosen for the Center.
His latest interest is dance movements, and Vickers is working with Gloria Ferrer (Spanish Champagne lines) with Spanish dancers.
Benicia Herald by Dana Guzzetti (November)
Benicia, California artist Marques Vickers has two sculptural works commissioned for the Small Business Administration and Cisco Systems Entrepreneur Center which officially opened Friday, October 20th in downtown San Jose (84 West Santa Clara Street), in the heart of the Silicon Valley. The two sculptures include "More Spirit Than Flesh", an Iconic Totem assemblage and one of his newly release Feng Shui Figurative Torso works entitled "Career".
The SBA/Cisco System's Entrepreneur Center is a collaborative effort between the public sector, private industry and non-profit organizations featuring numerous on-site resources, information and programs oriented towards small business. Located in the Entrepreneur Center is the Cisco Internet Development Center (CIDC),
hosted by the worldwide leader and networking for the Internet. Additional corporate sponsors for the center office and training complex include Microsoft, Chevron, UUnet, Bank of America, One Work Place, City of San Jose, San Jose Chamber of Commerce, Fortune Small Business and IBM. The website for the center is www.ecenteronline.com.The two commissions add to Marques Vicker's growing reputation and international exposure. Vickers, 43, was recently selected as one of twenty international artists to exhibit at the MAC 21 International Contemporary Art Fair in Marbella, Spain, July 19-24, 2000 (www.mac21.com). The annual fair is the largest showcase of contemporary international artwork in Spain featuring some of Europe's most renowned galleries and art organizations. He was also selected as one of two Americans for the European Art Channel EXPOART 2000 exhibition based in Cologne, Germany (www.eurochannel.de).
He will be releasing an e-book, published by Marquis Publications in early November oriented towards independent artisans about marketing and distributing artwork on the Internet. Titled concisely "Selling Artwork On The Internet", the e-publication will be available through his website at www.marquesv.com and numerous Internet sales outlets such as Mightywords.com, Barnes and Noble.com, Yahoo.com and Amazon.com. On November 29th, in conjunction with the SBA, he will be conducting an evening seminar at the San Jose Entrepreneur Center on "Distributing Artwork Via The Internet."
Various San Francisco Bay Area Publications (October)
Benicia, California artist Marques Vickers was recently selected as one of twenty international artists to have his paintings digitally printed out for exhibition at the MAC 21 International Contemporary Art Fair in Marbella, Spain, July 19-24, 2000. The annual fair is the largest showcase of contemporary international artwork in Spain featuring some of Europe's most renowned galleries and art organizations.
Vicker's selected images were drawn from his recent Millennium selection of "Women in Abandon" series featuring transitional dance movements. Vickers' work has evolved towards a liberated expression of Figurative abstraction. Drawing compositional inspiration from European abstractionists Concha Benedito and Luciano Castelli, Vickers' female forms capture expansive dance positions representing transitional passages of movement. The fluidity of these transitions are reflected in the variating color combinations, textured surfaces and sweeping brushstroke techniques. The works are also available as limited Giclee editions of 100, signed and numbered by the artist.A native of Vallejo, Vickers, 42 is a 1979 graduate of Azusa Pacific University and has completed post-graduate work in Dijon, France. He is a member of the International Sculptural Center organization in Washington DC and the Pacific Rim Sculptors Group based in San Francisco. Vickers has been represented in the San Francisco Bay Area by the highly regarded Vorpal Gallery in San Francisco. He has shown his artwork extensively throughout the San Francisco Bay Area including recent exhibitions at the Gloria Ferrer and Mark West Wineries and various points eastward.
His work has been profiled nationally in Art Business News, Interiors and Sources, Diablo and Left Coast Art magazines. Regionally, he has been profiled in the San Francisco Chronicle, Contra Costa Times, Napa Valley Register, Vallejo Times Herald, Benicia Herald and by the ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX affiliate television stations. His work is part of the corporate collections of the Phoenix Rehabilitation Programs, Inc. of Concord, California, United States Consulate in Warsaw, Poland, The Farrington Design Group of Atlanta, Georgia, RPD Properties of Century City, California, Graphic Ambitions of San Antonio, Texas and the New England Christian Media Ministries.
For further information on the artist contact the Marquis Gallery at (707) 748-1213 or visit his website at www.marquesv.com. The official website for the MAC 21 Fair can be viewed at www.mac21.com.
Art Talk Magazine (August Issue)
He calls them "mixed media assemblages," the six-to-10 foot tall sculptures Benicia artist Marques Vickers makes from "found objects."
"It's another way of saying junk," the artist reflects, but this junk, he notes, is all "derivatives of mankind."
Vickers' unique sculptures will be on display at the Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves during February.
Vickers, 42, a native of Vallejo, says he is influenced by the totemic imagery of Native American tribes of the Pacific Northwest, which used animals and beast-like figures to represent the human condition.
Vickers, however, deviates from the representational.
"I wanted to modernize the totemic imagery to reflect today's technological communities," he says. Combined in his works are old machine parts, construction site salvage and discarded Douglas Fir pillars.
"Individually, these materials no longer serve their original function," he says. "Integrated, they represent a regeneration of their lifespan.
In most cases, the materials he uses are industrial cast-offs. "It has reached its obsolescence for industry," he says, "It isn't useful for its purpose anymore. But for lunatic artists it's the reverse case."
Vickers also incorporates influences from 20th century sculpture: the geometric and angular carving of Constantin Brancusi, the curved forms of Jean Arp and Henry Moore, and the extended limb proportions of Alberto Giacometti.
To finish his works he uses combinations of different types of tinting to create complex layering of color. He seals the totems with clear resin to insure the longevity of the color and allow the works to be displayed both inside and outside.
"Marques Vicker's work is captivating, enormously creative and never without a touch of humor," said Eva Bertran, executive vice president for Gloria Ferrer. "He is precisely the kind of talent we are proud to showcase."
On Saturday, Feb. 12, visitors to Gloria Ferrer can meet Vickers and view his works in the evening light during a concert by flamenco guitarist Eric Symons. The concert, from 8 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $17.
To reserve seating, call 996-7256 ext. 239.
The Marques Vickers exhibit will be open in the Gloria Ferrer Champagne Wine Caves, Highway 121 in Sonoma, from Feb. 5 through March 3, daily from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Napa Register by Sasha Paulsen (February 3 Issue)
Solano Times Section/Contra Costa Times: "A Hunk of Steel, A Touch of Wood" (January 27 Issue)
While the basic Internet art buyer may lean toward vintage Grateful Dead posters, that is likely to change the more twenty something millionaires come out of the software explosion, said a Benicia artist who started his own Web site.
"A big shift is going on in art buying with the wealth being distributed among the younger group like never before, said Marques Vickers, a St. Patrick-St. Vincent High School graduate who teaches computer and business courses at the Vallejo school while also operating a sculpture studio in Benicia's Industrial Park.
"Traditionally, it's been an older audience that has put their money into art, Vickers said. "I think that's changing radically. This new group of higher income earners who support the fine arts is getting younger."And, noted Vickers, since they've already been raised on the Internet, it's only natural that fine art goes online. Save time and money, though with the new breed of youth with loot, the clock is more important.
"Everyone is absolutely time-pressed," Vickers said. "Folks in the fast lane would maintain that it's the stress of their occupation. At this point, money is not the issue."
Only it isn't just good for the buyer, it's good for the artist, said Vickers.
"The artist is more empowered to negotiate price," Vickers said. "Right now, the artist leaves his work with the gallery. It's out of their hands. The gallery may or may not consider the artist and get his OK. I think online, the artist will be more involved in the pricing."
Just getting into a gallery can be a humiliating experience, Vickers said.
"The traditional interview process artists must endure to be exhibited or even considered by an art gallery is tedious, condescending and oftentimes expensive for the artist, he said. "Any legitimate alternative to this process will be welcomed by artists."
Though art galleries will be forced to change, they aren't about to become extinct, Vickers said.
"There are still the older wage earners where computers are still a mystery in some respects, he said. "It is an aging population and they're still going to be buying too. And many buyers still prefer a certain hand holding when they invest in artwork."
Though his Web site features his own work, Vickers has added links to other artists, including Benicia's Wayne Kohler.
"Aside from promoting my own work, the site has to become relevant for return visits, " Vickers said, adding that he gets about 2000 hits a week.
Vickers believes his lively Web site-that includes his published poetry-attracts the public more than other sites whose "chief liability is that they are dull, static and not terribly informative about the artist. A Web site should be a personal expression."
Vickers believes art investors won't need the warm-and-fuzzy feeling of actually seeing the art before purchase. Many automobile Web sites, he noted, are doing well and car buyers are known as tire kickers when it comes to actually buying.
"There is that element of the public that will always want to see and touch," Vickers said. "But it's not necessarily going to be the majority. How are things going to be in 10, 15 or 20 years?"
Vickers said people buy art either by name-recognition or to color coordinate with a room in their house. Going online is another tool to keep one's name out there, he said.
"You have to cultivate your name," Vickers said, "Because it is a name game. People are impressed by the fact they own a given name, particularly if they caught his on the way up."
And if you're an artist that doesn't have Internet savvy, "you'd better find someone who is," Vickers said.
Just as Amazon.com has altered book stores (basically putting many small ones out of business), Vickers believes art online will do the same to galleries.
"You go to San Francisco and see 40 boutique galleries in a downtown cluster," Vickers said. "Those numbers are going to be thinned unless they have a real focus group to sell to. They're not going to be able to survive. I don't see how a gallery can afford San Francisco rents, which are among the highest in the world."
Though fine art buyers may be a "hit" on Vickers' Web site, he doesn't see any instant success.
"People on the Internet site tend to bookmark and might come back later," Vickers said. "Unless they have a room to fill, they might do it more quickly. But a collector will think about it."
There is an ever-growing list of online art dealers, including PaintingsDirect.com that was recently included in a front-page story in USA Today.
"A lot of these guys are setting up these businesses, hooking into an artist who knows he has to be on the Internet," Vickers said. "And they'll charge the artist up to $2000 to be on one Web Page."
Still, Vickers said, "It will be a crowded field for a while."
Vallejo Times Herald by Richard Freedman (January 7 Issue)
Photo By David Pacheco/Times Herald Staff
Gloria Ferrer Champagne Cellars in Sonoma will be hosting the Iconic Totem Sculptural work of Benicia, California artist Marques Vickers during the month of February in their tasting room. The one- man show, following Vickers summer and autumn exhibitions at the Vorpal Gallery in San Francisco and Mark West Winery on the Russian River Road will feature eight pieces of his modernist totemic art, influenced by Henry Moore, Jean Arp, Constantin Brancusi, Albert Giacometti and Benicia sculptors Manuel Neri and Robert Arneson.
As both sculptor and painter, Vickers, 42, specializes in steel and mixed media sculpture with a smirk of humor, incorporating found finished objects and multi-colored patina and painted surfaces. As a painter, his work is concentrated on figurative and abstract expressionism with textured surface backgrounds. The focus of his work remains barbed humor laced with subtle irony and vulnerability. Vickers is currently represented by the Vorpal Gallery and on the Internet with his own recently launched website, www.marquesv.com and two southern California based art brokers, LeonArto.Com and IncredibleArt.Com.
A native of Vallejo, Vickers is a 1979 graduate of Azusa Pacific University and has completed post-graduate work in Dijon, France. He is a member of the International Sculptural Center organization in Washington DC and the Pacific Rim Sculptors Group based in San Francisco. For further information on the artist, contact his studio at (707) 748-1213 or visit his website at www.marquesv.com
The Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves are located in the Carneiros appellation region buffering the Napa and Sonoma Valley wine regions off Highway 121, three miles from the Sonoma downtown Plaza. Their facility produces some of the world's most honored and acclaimed sparkling wines, winning more than 50 gold medals over the past five years using the traditional methode champenoise. The award winning Catlalan style tasting room is open daily to the public and is the site for numerous special events, functions and weddings. For information on upcoming events, visit their website at www.gloriaferrer.com.
Various San Francisco Bay Area Publications (January)
Diablo Magazine: "Speak of the Devil-Stuff We Like" (June Issue)
Art Business News Magazine: "Vickers Unveils Feng Shui Sculptural Series" (October Issue)